Where am I? June 29, 2023

Metaphorically? Physically? Emotionally? Let’s not get too detailed. Right now I’m at INOVA Fairfax Hospital in Virginia.

I had a bone marrow biopsy Monday June 21, and we got the results Wednesday June 23 that the chemo I had been taking (Videza) was not working. My white blood cells were increasing and the disease progressing into AML. With AML patients, they do an “induction” therapy, which is a 7+3 chemo regimen – in the hospital. I’ve been receiving one drug 24 hours/day, which will be going for 7 days straight; the other drug is just the first 3 days. The Doctor wanted me to show up at the hospital Friday, June 25 at 8:00 am to start. It was a rough transition from some semblance of normalcy at home, to hospital living for the near future.

I’m doing just fine. No nausea or any side effects so far. The nurses and other staff are great, my room surprisingly spacious, and the food is tasty enough. I’ve gotten some blood transfusions, but that’s to be expected. The goal of this regimen is to wipe out my white blood cells, and it will take the red ones (and the platelets!) out as well. Generally, the word for my feelings and situation is “boring”, and that suits me just fine right now. I’d like to be boring and stay that way.

I will be here for a month total. Yes. The first week on the chemo, the next two weeks recovering and watching for infection (because I’m wiping out the immune system), and the hopefully bounce to acceptable levels the final week and go home. I’m expected to be tired and not feel so well the next couple of weeks.

On the “silver lining” aspect of this, it should not affect the timing of a bone marrow transplant at Johns Hopkins. The goal of the induction is to get to the place where the three rounds of Videza should have taken me – remission. They want the “numbers” to look like remission prior to the transplant. We hope that will take place in August. So far, everything is trending correctly.

David and the boys are doing fine, figuring out meals and other household chores without nagging. Would never turn down prayers and good thoughts about the “numbers” and the transplant. I've got another bone marrow biopsy on day 14 to check everything.