A quick update on my chronic lymphocytic leukemia. I am in a trial study that is looking at how two drugs work together on the cancer cells. One I take by infusion: Gazyva. I have experience with this drug, having had it in my last trial study. I am again having a positive response Read More
Another Perspective
A brief Update on my Health
June 17, 2016
I haven’t been blogging because I was putting all of my energy into Hangtown II. Then about March/April my CLL fired up. I was hoping for a minimum of two years of “normal” life, but got just one. Fatigue, night sweats, weight loss increased. My blood lab numbers reflected the renewed activity Read More
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Good News
March 1, 2015
Hello, good friends. It’s been a while, hasn’t it? Let me briefly update you on what’s been going on.
I am finishing with my trial study treatments and they’ve gone exceedingly well. The only side effect I’ve experienced has been weight gain. I’ve put on 28 of the original 40 Read More
I am finishing with my trial study treatments and they’ve gone exceedingly well. The only side effect I’ve experienced has been weight gain. I’ve put on 28 of the original 40 Read More
Hope...Frustration...Hope
October 8, 2014
Since my last blog I’ve been preoccupied with treating my CLL and writing Hangtown, an historical novel.
In March I began taking Ibrutinib, the current “wonder” drug for CLL. Three pills a day and the disease is contained and managed. The cost for the first month alone was just over $2700, with additional months Read More
In March I began taking Ibrutinib, the current “wonder” drug for CLL. Three pills a day and the disease is contained and managed. The cost for the first month alone was just over $2700, with additional months Read More
Watch and Wait Ending
March 17, 2014
Over the past three-and-a-half months I have been in a watch and wait phase. This is a period when treatment is not indicated but the progression of the disease is closely monitored. For a couple of those months the leukemia has been progressing negatively, slowly and steadily, while the preferred treatment wasn’t F. Read More
Watch and Wait
January 3, 2014
I saw my oncologist yesterday. He said I am finished with the Chlorambucil. It has accomplished what it can. The long-term risk of damaging my body outweighs the short-term benefits continuing on the drug might provide. I am again in a “watch and wait” period.
It is unclear at this moment if my body Read More
It is unclear at this moment if my body Read More
Time Out: Chlorambucil
December 15, 2013
The only decision made on December 3rd was for me to stop taking Chlorambucil for a while. All indications from the blood tests are that it is working at bringing my CLL under control. However, my red blood cells are also decreasing. My hematologist/oncologist said it is unclear whether Chlorambucil is responsible for Read More
Initiation by Fire
October 4, 2013
Throughout our lives each of us experiences a series of initiations. These are rites of passage whereby we move from one level of awareness and understanding into a new, more expansive and profound one. The church calls these sacraments. Often these initiations involve pain, suffering, an enduring of fear, humiliation and loss of social Read More
That Burning Sensation
September 28, 2013
After last Tuesday’s dose of Chlorambucil, I had an intense burning sensation fill me. It felt like I had a fever: violent chills, shaking and a headache. I was miserable for about 4 hours until these symptoms went away.
This was a nasty enough experience that doing it again in two weeks left me Read More
This was a nasty enough experience that doing it again in two weeks left me Read More
Better Living through Chemistry
August 21, 2013
I want to begin by thanking my readers for their thoughts, prayers and good wishes. They are very much appreciated. Thank you.
The computer for the clinical trial study for Ibrutinib randomly assigned me to the older drug, Chlorambucil. While disappointing this drug, that was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Read More
The computer for the clinical trial study for Ibrutinib randomly assigned me to the older drug, Chlorambucil. While disappointing this drug, that was approved by the FDA for the treatment of Read More