The Hardest Blog

November 22 - Day 35 + 7

This news is actually from November 15, but I have found it very difficult to break the news. Please accept my apologies for the delay.

On Nov. 13, I had a bone marrow biopsy to determine the results of this round of chemo. On the 15th, I was informed that the results were not good. I am not in remission, so I cannot go forward with a bone marrow transplant.

In fact, there are no viable treatment options left, other than experimental ones which have a very low success rate. So the bottom line is I came home as soon as possible (19th) and I'm on essentially palliative care, which means blood transfusions once or twice a week. This gives me a life expectancy of three months or so.

Thank you to everyone. You've been such a support over the last several months in person and on this blog.

Monitoring and Reacting

November 5 - Day 25

The last ten days have been spent getting rescanned (CT Scan and Chest X-Ray for pneumonia), and monitoring blood levels and topping up where required. In total I got 5 units of platelets and 4 units of red blood cells.

I also got a new PIC line inserted to replace the old Hickman.

The other issue is fevers once or twice a day, treated with tylenol. I literally sweat the fevers out over a few hours.

From today forward, my blood counts should be starting to rise, and with white cells, little irritations like mouth sores as well as larger ones like chest lesions should start clearing up as well.