The Fergus Times: Off-Treatment Edition

Fergus in Montreal, April 2009


Welcome to our page about Fergus. Here you can learn about his challenges with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and also about what's happening in his life. For details about his diagnosis, see the journal entry from December 24, 2004. Fergus has completed all of his treatment--induction, consolidation, delayed intensification, intensive continuation, and continuation. He took his last dose of chemotherapy on June 27th, and was officially off treatment June 28, 2007. His prognosis is good, with a high chance for a cure, but it will be years before we can relax and call him cured. Thanks for checking on us!

Journal

Friday, May 29, 2009 9:26 PM CDT

Well, Fergus sailed through his latest check-up, with only a flicker of trouble. Two nights before his appointment, he complained of testicle pain and we could see some swelling. Since the testicles are one of three places that relapse can occur, we were trying hard not to panic again. But the pain subsided by his appointment on the 28th, and the swelling had diminished too. The oncologist agreed that something was going on there, but it was not consistent with a leukemia relapse. So we are watching closely, and will check him there periodically (much to his chagrin). His counts however, were fantastic. Here they are from the most recent back:

WBC= 9570(6200,5400,6190,7310,5490,8130,5610,6820,6350,8260)
Hgb= 13(12.5,11.9,12.4,12.7,12.3,13,12.5,12.4,12.5,13.2)
Platelets=240K(240K,220K,250K,230K,251K,199K,216K,249K,clmpd,253K)
ANC= 6530(3920,2950,3680,4300,3200,5350,3520,3720,4370,5390)
HCT=38.2(36,34.1,34.7,usually 36-37)

Sadly, on our way home from the appointment we received the news that Aunt Wendy (Rob's sister) had died in her sleep. She was only 56, and not apparently in any ill health. We will be traveling to Syracuse next week to be with family and celebrate her life. Luckily, we have a good housesitter lined up, since now we have chickens as well as a dog and two cats to care for. Fergus has his next appointment at the end of July, and then we will start going every 3 months. School is winding down and summer plans are multiplying. Thanks for checking on us, and keep Rob's family in your thoughts.

Hospital Information:

Vermont Children's Hospital/FAHC
111 Colchester Ave
Burlington VT 05401
1-802-847-2850

Links:

E-mail Author: peckschoolhouse@gmail.com

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