We received good news on Suzie's blood-work today: her WBC continues to fall, there has been a dramatic decrease in her platelets and, for the second straight week, her RBC, HGB and HCT edged upward. Looks like the Revlimid is effective and that shot she received two weeks ago is doing its’ job.

We aren't going overboard, given the ups and downs she's experienced over the past two and one half years, but we are savoring the moment!!!

:-)

Mike

We learned today that Suzie has the same amount of fluid in her lungs as she did last week, that her red blood count rebounded somewhat and, at present, she is not in need of a transfusion and that her lack of energy can be attributed to the chemotherapy drugs she stopped taking a week ago.

She is starting her second round of chemo tonight and we will return to the Oncologist next Thursday so they can determine how the drugs are affecting her blood.

Until then, God Bless!

Greetings!!

We’re delighted to open this posting by saying that we had a FANTASTIC time in November and December celebrating birthdays and holidays with our children, grandchildren and good friends. Our only regret is that everyone who reads this entry was not there to celebrate with us!

Unfortunately, Suzie is encountering new road blocks: an upper respiratory infection that a z-pack was unable to conquer and a sudden, and significant, decrease in her red blood count.

The fear with the infection is that it will go into her lungs and further inhibit her ability to breathe. We are hoping that a weeks worth of Levaquin will resolve this issue.

The fear with the decrease in her red blood count is that the decrease is permanent and that she will be dependent on blood transfusions because she will no longer be able to produce red blood cells on her own.

We are both praying that the Levaquin works and that the sudden decrease in red blood cells is a temporary phenomenon due to the upper respiratory infection and/or the recent introduction of new drugs to her system.

We will keep everyone posted, as change occurs, on our blog:

http://nanisgreatadventure.blogspot.com/

God Bless,

Mike

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving! Lisa was with us for the entire week and David and his family were able to join us from Wednesday through Saturday. We were crowded but the visits were good and we're thankful that we had this opportunity to celebrate together. In addition, we learned on the Friday after Thanksgiving that Blue Cross is approving the use of Revlimid for Suzie until November 2009. Given that the transplant failed, this renews our hope that we can manage the disease, not wait for it to run its course.

God Bless, and have an enjoyable Christmas and New Year!

Mike and Suzie

We're about to leave for Chicago so Suzie can visit with her sister, nieces and their families. Before we get underway I thought you'd like to know that Suzie's doctors decided that now was not a good time to take some peripheral blood and see if there is any change in the donor/patient relationship. Instead, they want to add the drug Revlimid to her daily list to see if this medication will help her fight the cancer. Problem is that Blue Cross will not authorize the use of the drug because it is not on the FDA's approved list of drugs that can be used to combat Myelofibrosis. Trick now is for the doctors to find a drug that can help!

We'll keep you posted,

Mike

Although graft versus host continues to torment Suzie she is active, alert, engaged and otherwise behaving s if nothing ever happened. Doctors are taking additional steps to help her manage the cancer, which is still active, so she will soon start taking the drug Revlimid, a derivative of Thalidomide . Additional blood will be drawn on October 30th so doctors can determine how much change has taken place in the donor/recipient relationship. We're praying that the increased graft versus host is an indication that the donor is making a comeback. We should have the results of these tests in late November, early December.

Love to all,

Mike

Just thought that everyone would like to know that Suzie is pretty much holding her own these days. The battles with graft versus host continue, and she's had a couple of minor colds, but we've also been able to help a good friend celebrate her wedding and another good friend celebrate his mother's life. Next big test should take place in early-mid November and we hope to have the results i early December.

Love to all,

Mike