PHASE 1 - Day 22

March 28 - if you are keeping track, I did not post yesterday. My Hemo and platelets were down a bit and that has a direct effect on my energy. Although I did 3 1/2 laps, it was harder. Dawn is sure a big help with the laps. As a foot note --- a wee bit of humor --- I developed a big blood blister on my big toe. Not sure what they will do since I am neutrapenic. Then to top it off I have this new rash all over my legs and a bit on my arms. We will see what will happen with that but likely from the continuous antibiotics I get. And, in case you are wondering, I do like a lot like my friends Ralph Wehnes and Gene Grant. All this is just part of the program that you deal with in order to lick this leukemia..

PHASE 1 - Day 12

March 16 - Both my docs just in and we are spot on where I need to be. Platelets, neutofils and red blue cells all up a wee bit which makes me feel much better. Appetite is still a challenge and will be for a while. Got 1 lap in and hoping for 2 more. Dawn helped me wash change clothes into one of my other outfits. What would I do without her? Later today I will write about Jane and the lemonade stand. All your virtual hugs, good thoughts, comments and prayers drive us both.

PHASE 1 - Day 11

March 15 -  The big picture is everything is going pretty much as expected. Plat letters and red blood cells are now at the point where they are starting transfusions. BP and temp are good appetite has moved out of state. Dawn even brought me a Drum Stick ice cream which did not temp me. That's bad. I am kind of expecting to flatten out and have few changes for a week and maybe two. Just waiting for my body to finish riding itself of the drugs. I am getting more bags and pills now than I can track....to keep everything under control.

PHASE 1 - DAY 8

March 12

DAY 7 - Yep, Zuly just hooked me back up after Dawn tossed me in the lukewarm dribble of a shower and hosed me down. A change of clothes and a new man. Met with Dr Mandal and all is fine. It is a waiting game now for chemo to continue to kill off the army of fighters on both sides. I am get away from my computer and gadgets for a wee bit now and she what's for lunch. Love you all and cherish you comments.
expecting some fever, loss of energy and transfusions but if lucky for only a few days. Prepare for worst, pray for best, eh. I am writing a doc called 7 secrets to hospital success while I will share maybe later today. Gotta

PHASE 1 - DAY 4

 

DAY 4
OK, here's my setup for the next few weeks. I'm in Advocate Sherman Rm 5-1201. There are two oversized rooms on this floor and I have one of them. Yippee.

I've got almost a mini office here: 24" LCD monitor, SP 3, iPad, iPhone, extension cord, chargers and cables, notebook, calculator, files, sticky notes... enough to make them say, "hmmm. Wow."

I'll get around to taking a selfie. But I am basically wearing what I want but "Jane" is trailing me everyplace. Jane is my tethered machine with the bags of course. Jane was my mom's middle name. Just loved her. She died in '11 at age 86. If you're tethered to something for a few weeks, might as well be your mom, eh.

Of course, Dawn is here a lot too. But carrying a load with me here, going to her mom's at least once a day, preparing meals often for them, and then working too. Lucky is only a couple minutes away. And, lucky I get a home cooked meal tonight! Might diet is whatever I want.

PHASE 1 - DAY 2



DAY 2

I'll tell you something funny first. One of the two chemo drugs ---- the protocol of made up of 2 drugs and
2 propholatric drugs --- is bright blue. Which is hard to miss as it trickles in over an hour. So... later yesterday I took a pee. I have to save it because they measure the volume to make sure my kidneys are working OK. They are. But, I walked out of the bathroom and told Dawn, "Hey my pee is green!" As you can see. What the heck? Now what's going wrong. But, then I figured it out. Guess what? Yellow and blue make GREEN. Confirmed by nurse Kara. Yep, every minute is a revelation, discovery, time to breath a sigh of relief or add a new concern.

DAY 2 Last Saturday - started second round at night again. Dawn is in and out all day. What a wife I have! She keeps everything organized and makes sure I have a coordinated outfit clean for the day. Ha ha. 

PHASE 1 - DAY 1

DAY 1
I was diagnosed with leukemia a week ago. Shocked? Yes. Realistically optimistic to be cured? Yes. Understanding that I face a really tough 2 to 4 months? Dawn and I are ready.

I am just finishing the 2nd round of chemo in Sherman Hospital tonight.

Some friends who had been on their own cancer journey before helped me a couple years ago when I was 100% cured of B Cell Lymphoma. So I want to blog here in hopes that this may help someone in your family or a friend who has been there or may follow a similar path in the future.

Nothing in life is more important than your friends, family, prayer and strong faith.

Dawn and I know you are with us through all the next turns, road blocks and green lights. I want to tell you about the good reports, experiences with hospital and caregivers and the funny things too.

If I didn't include somebody...please pass this along and let them know I want to include them.

Friday morning I checked in. You know how that is with meeting, poking, paperwork, instructions. First treatment round started at 11pm so I was busy a lot of the night. Got all my stuff set up nicely and feeling pretty good. 

We love you,
Bob and Dawn