Sorry this is such a consolidated blog again. Last sunday I woke up with some drainage around the PICC line and had the home Health nurse come and take a look. Well everything looked alright until later on in the afternoon just looking at it looked bigger and it was when me and mom measured it. I called down to Danville they had me go down to the ER and decided to run some tests. The IV nurse I had looking at it wasnt very concerned and kept saying it just looks bigger to me and mom. Even though me and mom kept explaining it we measured it. This women just wouldn't listen. Luckily the ER doc new what she was doing and decided to order a Doppler (like an ultrasound to see if there are any clots in the arm) They decided to keep me over night and start me on lovenox injections to prevent any new issues. But the plan remained to do my chemo the next day through the PICC and then pull it and send me home. All went as planned and Iwas home by Monday afternoon. this week went well with the shots at home although they freak dad out who thinks that no one should do that crap at home, but dad can't even handle watching doctor shows on TV no matter how unrealistic they are.

Tomorrow is a busy day have to be down there about 8am to do the usual meet and greet with one of my providers and then they will be doing the spinal tap with some methotrexate, The bone marrow biopsy that determines if the induction phase worked out as well as we want it too, and the mediport that goes under the skin in my chest for remainder of treatment. depending on how tired I am tomorrow I will try to update again.

PS. I just realized today marks one month with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Lets hope tomorrow brings along that Low bone marrow number.

Update is a little late for this week sorry ya'll Monday was a long day we were down in Danville about 10am and didn't leave until about 4. The chemo itself took only about 30 minutes but when my labs came back they wanted to give me some more stuff for clotting and blood thinning which took all day to be sent from the pharmacy. Literally the most annoying thing to do is sit there and just wait for something that doesn't take that long at all to administer. We did find out that along with that MLL gene I have a distinct and rare form of ALL that is very similar to Burkitt's Lymphoma which makes it just a bit different to treat. We are still going to treat it as planned at least in this induction phase. The doctor seems a little more optimistic about this than the other gene thinking this might actually help but there is know way to tell. There is still allot to go before we do know to much more. Burkitts Lymphoma is a VERY aggressive Cancer that grows very quickly and explains why 6 months ago I had normal blood counts. what we want now is to make sure that the Chemo has completely wiped out any cancer cells in my bone marrow that is the first step in the remission process of things. Only time will tell with this one as everything becomes about in the next few weeks. Chemo Symptoms are not bad (yet) the most I have noticed is the numbness in the finger tips which is tolerable. The medicine Prednisone (not a chemo drug its a normal steroid) is complete hell. This is not an exaggeration. All I want to do is eat. My heart rate and blood pressure are all out of whack. My FACE LOOKS LIKE A BEACH BALL. long story short the steroid is the hell drug and I HATE IT. but otherwise all is good just hanging out driving mom nuts all the time and other than that Im doing pretty good. The PICC line in my arm comes out on the 12 and they will put the MEDI-PORT in my chest. They're going to also do the spinal tap and bone marrow Biopsy on that day get it all done in one shot. Baring any complications it should just be a long day but hopefully home the same day. Well all I'll update again with anything important when it comes up again sorry for the delay I have always been a procrastinator!

So while I have a few minutes I figured I would give another update. Not to much going on since I have been home. slight symptoms of the chemo but nothing to pressing. the worst part about being home is having this PICC line in my arm, I am so paranoid of it slipping out or something. Drinking plenty of water and walking as needed. About the best I can do especially since Im used to doing more than half a mile at a time but it is what it is. The Prednisone is the worse it keeps my heart rate up and makes me feel anxious. The other downside of the Prednisone is eating its all I seem to want to do which isn't good for a guy who lost 85lbs (willing) before all this started. I miss fruits and veggies the most especially now since I can't have them (stupid low immune system)!!! well that's about it for now got a lot todo today so see ya'll later.

I am HOME! Its strange being here after the comfort and sterility of my Hotel... Hospital room. Just have to be extra careful of germs for a while as I actually hit that neutrapenic stage today. No fresh fruits or Veggies, and people need to wear masks if they are sick or at risk of being sick when they come to visit. Just as when I go out I need to be careful myself and where a mask and wash excessively. A BIG thank you to Mr. Thomas Malinski for giving me and my mom a lift back today from Danville on his way to the dentist. It means allot. Back on Monday for more treatment!

Today's been busy but nothing really eventful. They gave me the spinal tap with some more chemo inside it  again just to prevent and cancer cells from growing inside the spinal column. They did another round of chemo this afternoon while I was stuck laying around for 3 hours. Doctor says home sometime this week all depends on different things nothing wrong we all just know the docs like to be consistent. Home soon! Hopefully!

All Labs are in for yesterday (Sunday) all looking pretty excellent. They did have to give me a transfusion of platelets so I will clot a little better tomorrow for the spinal tap. they also had to give me something to prevent clotting and something to prevent excessive bleeding. I know ironic right? It shows how fragile our body's as machines truly are, but a dose of chemo. in the morning and a spinal tap around 2 is my schedule for the day. I assume that I will be out of here at some point this week. nothing is wrong but we all know how the doctors like to add another day (or two) for observation. Hope to see all of you soon. Regards!

Alright good news today no blasts (the "cancer cells") in my blood this morning. Now this doesn't mean they can't return tomorrow because in all likelihood they can. But I am doing this day by day so we can all count it as a win for the day. What we really want to see is in a couple of weeks that there are no cancer cells in my bone marrow as well. There was no signs of it in my spinal tap but we have to make sure it's not in the bone marrow because that is where our blood is made (technically). Looks like I might get out of here on Monday after my spinal tap as long as everything goes well. but there is the likelihood that the doctor wants to keep me longer as some Doctors do. Hoping for the best, Preparing for the worst! Good Night! hope to see you all soon!