Toupee? Cold Turkey?

A couple of weeks ago at church, one of Jeff’s cancer compatriots asked me if Jeff’s hair was “real.”  I assured Bob that it was.  Still, he reached from the pew behind us and pulled Jeff’s hair.  Then he declared, possibly a little too loudly for church, “I thought it was a wig!”  It was all in good fun and we laughed.

This week at church, Bob told us that he’d gotten in trouble with his wife for the hair-pulling incident!  Evidently, Lee was embarrassed by it.  She explained, “It’s his medicine.”  She believes it makes him say and do things he wouldn’t ordinarily say or do.  Jeff wasn’t so sure he wouldn’t have pulled a similar prank pre-cancer. 

Since we had conflicting instructions from Jeff’s two oncologists regarding his steroid taper, Jeff called to find out whether he was going “cold turkey” after two weeks at 2.5 mg or whether he should continue to taper, taking this lowest dose every other day.  Dr. Rager decided he should continue every other day, and that he really should have his blood checked again this week.  Jeff was a little disappointed to have to make the trip again.  He looks forward to being told, “Come back next year.”  I wonder whether that will ever happen and would, quite frankly, be frightened if he wasn’t checked regularly. 

On Sunday Jeff had his first steroid-free day since early December.  His skin seems to be managed well with his newest skin medication.  Although he does have flare-ups, the spots do not seem to fill with pus.  He has a darn good-lookin’ face!  

Lincoln, our new friend from Gilda’s Club who also has a diagnosis of MDS, is at Sloan-Kettering now undergoing his transplant.  He has been photo-blogging using the clever URL, http://www.justmarrowed.blogspot.com/, and reports that his oncologist will be taking on a famous patient this week, another MDS patient, ABC’s Robin Roberts.  We wish Lincoln and Robin the best.

The Claus Cousins’ team for The Dude Hates Cancer Bowling Event has gotten a slow start with their fund-raising.  If you can help, click on the link at right to make your donation. 

September is Leukemia and Lymphoma Awareness Month.  We thank God for the financial help that the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society gives us for reimbursement of expenses.  Please join us in praying for patients and their families, oncologists and their staffs, marrow and blood donors.