We knew that it would happen one day. But were always grateful that it had not yet been that day.  David had been feeling really poorly for several weeks and perhaps a couple of months. He had little energy and was dealing with several other annoying things. Today when he went to start another round of chemotherapy his pre blood draw indicated that his hemoglobin, (the red blood cells that circulate oxygen) were only 5.6. Normal is in the range of 13-15, and his has been hovering around 8+ for the past two years. Dr. Moore was amazed that he was still trying to exercise with that little amount of oxygen available. And she in fact told him to stop until his hemoglobin is at least back up to 7. He received a blood transfusion today and will get another tomorrow. His blood will be tested again at the end of this week. 

 

But the most significant thing is that she feels the chemotherapy is no longer working and so he will not be continuing to receive it. He will be starting on another drug, that because of a genetic marker that he has, may be of benefit to him but it will take about six months to know fully how much benefit he is receiving.  

 

When he had his bone marrow in December the leukemia was back in the marrow and she feels that it is likely increasing in the marrow and that that is why his hemoglobin has dropped so dramatically. 

 

We knew it would happen We were glad that it had not. And we are disappointed that it has. We hope for success from this new plan, but we are realistic and know that another otherwise is still in the future. But then there is an otherwise waiting for all of us.  No dates are given usually. We still make plans. We still enjoy the beauty of the day. We know that the ultimate end will be better than we can even hope. We are knocked down but not knocked out!

 

Love, 

 

Carol and David