It's been a while.......

Sorry to be so long to update the blog, but I have been out of it the the last two weeks.  Unfortunatelty I went down to Duke and they drew blood work but my genetic mutation did not match the clinical trial.  So I came back to clinic one day at VCU,  I think I was admitted on Tuesday June 8th for fevers and and stuff.and they have kept me here for more standard chemo.  I finished a five day course of chemo two days ago, but they cut off the last day  because I was having some neurolological issues. So now is the recovery.

I should be in the hospitial another 2-3 weeks while my counts recover.  When my white counts get high enough they will will do a biopsy to see where the leukemia counts are at.......hopefully none.  That is our prayers. 

 I have hsve had some complications with pneumoia that they were worried would turn into fungal infection, but that is under control with some new meds ands that seems under control.

All in all I am a little more alert these day.  I miss the kids kids but they will be here tomorrow to visit.  It is very boring sitting around each day and I have I have little motivation, but I will try to push myself these next few weeks to be pro-active.

Love you all.

Update

It has been a busy and trying week.  Last Saturday Brant took me up to clinic and I had a fever of 101.6, so they admitted me to "keep an eye on things" and make sure nothing else was brewing.  I was able to get IV antibiotics and extra transfusions. Brant spent the night on Saturday and then swapped up with mom on Sunday.  It was kind of boring sitting around without any of my gadgets and paperwork (my son's backpack got put in the car instead of mine!).  I had my biopsy Monday using a Cat Scan to guide the needle.  I was totally out and don't remember anything after they said "we are going to start some of the relaxing drug".  The only pain I felt was sitting on my bum for the ride home.

I was able to spend Tuesday at home and go to Chris' Spring Orchestra concert.  They played his arrangement of 21 Guns by Green Day and it was really good.  What a blessing that the timing worked out that I could be there.

Wednesday Brant and I headed out for clinic to get my platelet transfusions and finalize plans for our trip to Duke.  We drove to Durham from Richmond and got there in time to relax a little.  Today was a long day of talking with the doctor, Nurse Practitioner, and Research Nurse.  They have one clinical trial open that they think I qualify for.  They are ready to start me Monday, but we need to find out if I have the correct genetic mutation to qualify.  Thankfully they did not do a biopsy and instead think they can determine the information from my peripheral blood.  Also, it is a Phase 1 trial so we will have to find out if insurance will cover it.  It is surreal to me that on Monday I could be in Durham for quite a while.  There don't seem to be many other clinical trials around, so we hope this one works out.

The leukemia is definitely more active with my fevers and pains being more frequent.  We will be challenged with the decision to start "standard" reinduction chemotherapy and hope for a response if no trial presents itself.  But it is clear that I need to start some sort of treatment sooner than later.  Please continue to lift us up in prayer that miracles can happen.  And also to keep the whole family in mind.  So many people have been making sure the kids make it to all of their appointments, activities, etc.  We are so grateful.