Whistle Your Cares Away

Jeff asked me to help him change the ringtone on his new cell phone.  He chose “Whistle Your Cares Away,” a lively tune which has a few bars of actual whistling in it!  He is pleased with his choice.  It epitomizes his attitude toward his disease.   

Well, we knew Vidaza was a long-shot (only 6 out of 100 patients get the desired result).  Dr. Kennedy says Jeff may have gotten some benefit from Vidaza but the results of last week’s bone marrow biopsy are disappointing.  He now has acute leukemia.  He  has 23% blasts in his marrow (up from 18%), the 5q deletion is still present and more chromosomes are involved.  There is a translocation of 17 and 20 in 15% of his cells. 

Beginning sometime next week, he will have in-patient infusion treatment of two chemotherapy drugs, Ara-C and Daunorubicin.  Side effects include hair loss (oh, well) and may injure the heart (oh, dear).  The drugs will be given over several days or a week and he will stay in the hospital for another three weeks or so.  The desired result, according to Dr. Kennedy, is “empty marrow.”  Following this course of treatment his bone marrow will be tested again.  If, after 2 (or more) biopsies, the leukemia is in remission, then he can have his bone marrow/stem cell transplant. 

Good news: 

The National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) has found FOUR non-related matches (plus Paul as a back-up) and further blood tests are being done on the one they think is best. 

More good news: 

Jeff’s sister, Debbie, will visit for a week while Jeff is hospitalized. 

Pastor Wiseman is organizing an event to promote the bone marrow registry.  Stay tuned…

Jeff’s good humor continues.  He said, “Of course I have acute leukemia.  I wouldn’t get the ugly kind.” 

Prayer Request:

Pray for the beautiful donor who must, unfortunately, play the waiting game in parallel with us.