I was told in July 2010 that I have a rare form of Leukemia called Hairy Cell Leukemia. I was also told that if you are going to have leukemia, this is the kind to get. It's a lazy form of leukemia that takes it's time and in my case, didn't require immediate action. It's also highly treatable, with a very good prognosis.
After taking a few weeks to reconcile this new found diagnosis with the fact that I felt perfectly fine, I started doing some research. Because HCL is a such a rare form of leukemia, there isn't very many people to offer information or opinions on it. After much Googling, I found a doctor at the National Cancer Institute that is researching a cure for HCL.
I qualified for his clinical trial and am recieving treatment from NCI.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Done with Chemotherapy

Yesterday was my last day of chemotherapy. I think I got lucky with my treatment. I got chemo-lite. Very few side-effects so far. I have a few bruises on my arms to highlight my track marks from all the needles that I have been stabbed with over the past 7 days, but that is truly the worst of it.  I have been warned that I will be very fatigued over the next couple of weeks as the chemo knocks out my immune system. I have already started to feel the effects. Last night I agreed to go out to dinner and I wanted to go home and take a nap before the appetizers showed up.
I am looking forward to going back to Seattle tomorrow morning. I miss Cinco and I am ready to get back to work, even if I need to take a nap in the afternoons.
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Thursday, January 27, 2011

1.5 miles in 2.5 hours

Yesterday was my first day of chemotherapy. The anxiety in anticipation of the chemo was far worse than the chemo itself. In fact, the drive to the hotel afterwards was worse than the chemo. A snow storm hit the Washington D.C. area yesterday afternoon and it literally shut down the entire city. My parents and I decided to get a hotel room about 1.5 miles from the hospital because of the snow. It took a painfully slow 2.5 hours to get there.

More chemotherapy today and for the next 4 days, hopefully it is as easy as today was.
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Sunday, January 23, 2011

The day before it all starts

I've been in Washington D.C. since last Thursday night. I'd like to say that I have seen all the sights, but I have spent the majority of my time working thru a touch of food poisoning that took me down. My parents and flew out from Seattle and we are staying with my sister Aimee and her husband, David in Alexandria.
Last night we met up with my cousin Melissa and her husband John and a friend of theirs for dinner at a Morrocan place in D.C. The food was outstanding, only to be outdone by the belly dancer who came in half way through the meal to dance for everyone in the restaurant. I am pretty sure she has some joints in her body that I don't have in mine.

We headed for the symphony at the Kennedy Center after dinner for a performance in honor of JFK's 50th anniversary. Richard Dreyfuss narrated the opening piece with pieces of JFK's innaugural speech. It was a really special birthday present from my sister and her husband. It was a great way to celebrate the 5 January birthday's in our group.

Tomorrow I go to the National Cancer Institute for an early morning appointment with my doctor. Monday and Tuesday are days that will be dedicated to MRIs, CT Scans and blood tests. The scary stuff probably won't get started until Wednesday.

I am very grateful that my parents were able to make this trip with me and that I have a sister and brother in law that are willing to accomodate and spend time with me over the next week or so. I think this would be a much harder trip without my family around me. I am also deeply thankful that my sister Michelle was able to make time in her schedule to look after Cinco back in Seattle.
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