My journey through Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia.
Or "How to Cure Psoriasis the Hard Way."
This is Pauline, Boone's wife. Every year on or near his birthday, he has his annual physical. His doctor told him that he had "Immature blood cells" and referred him to a hemotologist. To Boone's great surprise when he arrived for the appointment, the hemotologist was an oncologist. They drew blood and the Oncologist, Dr. K, wanted to know why I was not with him. Next visit he said, I better be there. A month later, we went to the appointment. Blood was drawn. Dr. K. said it could be a couple of things, and ordered a bone marrow biopsy. On the 3rd month, we heard the diagnosis of CMML.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Day 90 for us. Day 1 for Jeri and Jan's brother.
Ladies, how's he doing? I'm curious also about prior trips to the ICU. Hope all is well in Alabama.
Hey, Pauline, Jeri here, and I know Jan will be reading soon, too, and catching up with you guys. Is Boone, I hope, still showing improvement?
Our brother was feeling pretty well yesterday. Seeing those cells going in was amazing. We know a rough road is ahead, so yesterday was pretty sweet.
Yes, we've had some scary episodes since November-- the worst was in January, when our brother (Byron is his name) went into septic shock; they called the family in. It was very touch and go for what seemed like a long time, several days. He ended up intubated, on dialysis, etc. In an induced "sleep" for quite a while. Apparently, remaining infection had been lurking around somewhere in his body (it was after his diagnosis but before he'd started chemo).
I started blogging(inspired by you!) a week or so ago. I wrote a little bit about some of what's already happened, and will try to keep posting throughout the process: www.nomorecmml.blogspot.com.
Having seen Byron go through all the crises that have arisen (he says all the weird stuff happens to him) has given me more confidence in the ability of good doctors and nurses to figure out how to help when things go nuts, even if it takes them a while. Some things of course are going to be beyond them and in the hands of the one who holds it all, anyway.
Alabama is warm and fairly sunny today; Spann says "a few pop-up afternoon showers". So summer is settling in and getting comfortable, I think. How is Nashville?
Thanks for thinking about us. We all think about Boone and you a lot. Praying for you guys, too. Looking forward to Boone getting through all this to the next level of recovery.
1 comment:
Hey, Pauline, Jeri here, and I know Jan will be reading soon, too, and catching up with you guys. Is Boone, I hope, still showing improvement?
Our brother was feeling pretty well yesterday. Seeing those cells going in was amazing. We know a rough road is ahead, so yesterday was pretty sweet.
Yes, we've had some scary episodes since November-- the worst was in January, when our brother (Byron is his name) went into septic shock; they called the family in. It was very touch and go for what seemed like a long time, several days. He ended up intubated, on dialysis, etc. In an induced "sleep" for quite a while. Apparently, remaining infection had been lurking around somewhere in his body (it was after his diagnosis but before he'd started chemo).
I started blogging(inspired by you!) a week or so ago. I wrote a little bit about some of what's already happened, and will try to keep posting throughout the process: www.nomorecmml.blogspot.com.
Having seen Byron go through all the crises that have arisen (he says all the weird stuff happens to him) has given me more confidence in the ability of good doctors and nurses to figure out how to help when things go nuts, even if it takes them a while. Some things of course are going to be beyond them and in the hands of the one who holds it all, anyway.
Alabama is warm and fairly sunny today; Spann says "a few pop-up afternoon showers". So summer is settling in and getting comfortable, I think. How is Nashville?
Thanks for thinking about us. We all think about Boone and you a lot. Praying for you guys, too. Looking forward to Boone getting through all this to the next level of recovery.
Jeri
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