Update 2-5-10

Gene’s update, 2-5-10: Next storm due in San Diego. Well, the promise of rain is notoriously unreliable here in SD, but we do know for sure that Gene’s next storm is happening. Based on the results of the bone marrow biopsy that they did on Tuesday, they have determined that there are still leukemic cells present in his bone marrow and they want to go immediately into the next round of chemotherapy. This morning. Do not pass go, do not go home for the minimum of five days that they told us at the outset would be possible. And this round will be stronger. It is almost as if he tolerated it too well, so they’ll try a harder punch. I tried to make a case for a brief visit home, but the docs, and nurse that I greatly respect, felt that it was too much of a risk. That if he developed an infection, of course so easy to do when you have NO immune system, that the infection could be, well, fatal. Although he didn’t use that word, that was the message. So, that means another month in the hospital.

Gene is thinking of it as this week of chemo and one more, still within the original 4-6 week time frame, but also acknowledging that it could mean the entire month of February. When he said to the nurse, “at least two more weeks” she replied, “at least”.

I have to say though, that after the initial let down, he is taking it well. I’ve been very worried about his mental/emotional/psychological state over the last week, he seemed depressed. Doc said about that, “He is an academic, he likes data and we had no data and that was difficult. Now we have data, we have a course of action, and I think that will make him feel better.” And I think he is correct about that, and of course, I can only trust that he is correct about the chosen course of action, because, there really is no alternative. Can’t walk out the door now. Although, that was the compromise. Doc decided that last night, instead of just walking the floor, Gene could actually go outside, with mask of course, and walk around the front of the hospital, where there is kind of a large atrium. So Gene got to breathe some fresh air for about five minutes, spot a few stars, although the north star that he always looks to was obscured by clouds.

They told him to expect more of a reaction, more side effects to this round of chemo, as it will be stronger, and of course Gene is hoping, “and maybe not”. But from my side conversations with the nurse and doc, I believe that will be the case. And Gene has said that prospect frightens him.

He is losing weight along with his hair. He is down to 132. Hugging him is starting to feel more like hugging MP than hugging Gene. Patty King and Patty Dana are trying to convince him of the benefits of daily afternoon Haagen-Daz cups, but for him, eating when you are not really hungry doesn’t make sense. He is still eating my soup all up, so we will keep that coming.

I was extremely sad on Wednesday night because his spirits were lagging so. But when I left last night he actually seemed in a better head, so that helps me as well. So, take a deep breath. Not sure how to batten down the hatches for the coming storm….it continues to be a day at a time. I’ve come to accept that there are constant bumps in the road….just wasn’t quite prepared for whiplash!
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Gail Moriarty
gail.moriarty@me.com