Yesterday, Gary spent nine hours at the hospital (Columbia-Presbyterian) seeing his main leukemia doctor, Nicole Lamanna, and getting blood transfusions. It was very reassuring to see Dr. L again. The big picture is: radiation on hold for now to allow Gary's body to recover more. Postponing radiation also means postponing the start-date of the transplant. Therefore the August 20th date is officially postponed, more info to follow.
The day was brightened by the wonderful mid-afternoon visit of Joan from Boston - who came right up into the hospital chemo area to sit with Gary. Thanks for your great cheer, Joanie!
Today, Gary spends the afternoon at MSK for his regular monthly IVIG treatment.
See Gary's comment below ...
Yes, seeing Dr. Lamanna was very reassuring. Since my care has moved back to Sloan Kettering I've been seeing her less often (she is now at NYP-Columbia). I've been getting great care at Sloan Kettering for the radiation and lead-up to the transplant, but no one has the big picture of the leukemia as she does.
ReplyDeleteThe main issue has been why my counts - in other words, the production of all 3 types of blood cells - have been suppressed. There are many possible causes, and she laid out a decision tree of how she and my doctors at Sloan Kettering will determine what's going on and what steps to take. In the meantime I'll be getting more transfusions.
I'm relieved to know we're being prudent by putting the radiation on hold until my counts recover. At the same time, it would be nice to proceed with the radiation, which will relieve some uncomfortable symptoms that have been making walking and sleeping more difficult lately. As with many cancer treatments, it's a balancing act of managing symptoms and the disease.
All of this means that I'll have more free time to see people and do some fun things. I've made it a point to keep the rest of my life going all these years of treatment, but with medical stuff full time lately it's been hard to find the time or energy for anything else. So this is great. I played the piano the other night for just a half hour (a Mozart Sonata), the first time in over a month. It was nice to remember that side of things.
And Joanie, I really enjoyed your visit yesterday!
Well I'm glad we get to come see you soon, no matter whether you're in hospital or out! I hope your counts get their act together soon so things can proceed as they should!! I am sending you both love and good vibes. xoxo
DeleteThumbs up for reassuring information and for Mozart sonatas. Gary, if you want to do a house concert sometime, you could set up a Google Hangout for friends to join and listen in.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Peter. That's a great idea! I'll check out how that works. Considering I'm a computer scientist I know amazingly little about these things.
DeleteNothing like Mozart to brighten any day or situation.
ReplyDeleteIt has to be a comfort to know there are doctors like your Dr. Lamanna who are humane and wise, and who are there, carefully monitoring, making certain things proceed as they should. Brava for her, and to you, Gary, for your wonderful outlook and your appreciation that the complexities of this disease require tweaks and changes. Waiting is one of life's most difficult tasks, but in the end, the results will be worth the wait.
Andrea