The results from the Bone Marrow test last week were very positive. The most recent chemo seems to have worked very well. I will most likely go directly into one last round of chemo and then into the Bone Marrow Transplant after recovery. There are a few specific donors lined up, so that part seems to be taken care of already.

For now, I am in the hospital for a little while fighting nausea and dehydration. That will sequey into the chemo and then I should be home for a short period of time.

Well, folks, another post that helps you to understand why minute-to-minute updates are impossible. As hoped for in the last post, Dan was able to go home this past weekend for a day and an evening. It was wonderful to have him home. Both of us slept most of that time. I also did some piled-up laundry. It was nice while it lasted.

Today was a scheduled checkup that found Dan dehydrated and short-of-breath. Although the doctor was reluctant to tell us, he said Dan would not be going home in such a condition. So, after carting home a suitcase and more 2 days ago, Dan is again checked into Hotel Sloan. Perhaps he'll get to go home soon again, perhaps later. We'll have to see.

It's Dan's 30th birthday on Wednesday, and as one nurse said, "there's nothing to say" about the unfortunate timing, but the point is to get him well, so he'll be sleeping most of his birthday at the hospital instead of at home. I am guessing he still won't be up for phone calls, but I think it would be great to leave him a message wishing him well or singing "Happy Birthday" in the key of your choosing. You could also send him an email or reply to this blog. Believe me when I say he doesn't want anything in particular for his birthday, but it does mean a lot for him to know people are thinking about him and he'll be happy to talk once that's possible energy-wise.

Thanks again for passing along this blog to friends/relatives who'd like to know what's going on. If Dan still doesn't feel up to posting, I promise to update it more often. xoxo Susan

Good news coming from "guardedly optimistic" people: Dan might be lucky enough to go home sometime this weekend or next week...(perhaps in time for his birthday)!

This latest round of chemotherapy worked some magic on those pesky "blast" or leukemia cells. Since we are fortunate enough to live a cab ride away from Sloan-Kettering, the doctors agree that 2 months is enough time in the hospital/jail and Dan should be able to safely receive whatever treatment, transfusion, etc. he needs outpatient. Then, yes, it's still on to the required bone marrow transplant. I will let him write more when he feels up to it, but this news was too good to keep to myself!

Thanks as always...
Susan

From the fingers of Dan: Long time, no typing.

Rule number one: listen to everything Susan says.
Rule number two: Susan is once again the conduit for all back-and-forth information. If you don't have the Internet (read: about three of you), you'll have to wait for your updates by camel back as usual. Step up to the 21st century, please.

My condition is poor and unpredictable. That's why I insist that no one makes any surprise visits (exempting the old TF bunch). Surprise visits do no work with the hospital, and I don't like them. I don't want to throw up on your Barney's parka but...well maybe yes I do...but either way, it's easier for you to give Susan a quick ring. I also expend a lot of energy doing easy stuff like standing. No offense, but I am not going to waste the rest of it talking to you (unless your name is Susan).

Recent summary of my condition:
1) lots of nausea and vomiting
2) complete loss of appetite (I had some Ensure today)
3) lots of physical unsteadiness (I fell down once)
4) I can't even count how many days I have spent in bed

As Susan describes in the chemo regimen, it shouldn't take "too" long timewise, but it's just abother thing to get in the way of finishing this ordeal.

Thanks again to everyone who has expressed their care and well wishes.

Dan