Treatment 4

Amazingly, the treatment is already showing positive results. Platelets continue to climb and are now up to 120-- almost in the normal range, and especially good for a leukemia/lymphoma patient. White blood cell components are all improving. Kidney function still a bit off but it's a side effect of the medication. As the drugs target the cancer cells, they (the cancer cells) essentially explode, putting stress on the kidneys to get rid of them. Staying hydrated remains very important and a prescription was given to help.

The next treatment is in two weeks, on August 8, which becomes Day 1 of Cycle 2 for the obinutuzumab which will repeat, then, once every 28 days for a total of 6 cycles. The most pronounced side effect seems to be fatigue which is remedied s with naps.

As Cycle 2 begins, the second drug, Venetoclax, will be introduced. It's our understanding this is a daily pill which is taken for a year but we will get clarification when we see the oncologist, Dr. S, on 8/8.

Other good news is that Eric doesn't have to continue twice weekly blood work/labs followed by Fast Track appointments. Those will be once weekly now. That may not seem like much, but when you add in the driving time, waiting for the lab results, and the appointment, these things take about 4-5 hours. So getting to do it weekly is a big time-saver.

Maureen

Mid week follow up July 23

Twice a week, Eric has blood work done and then what they call a "Fast Track" appointment where a Nurse Practitioner reviews the results and checks to see how he's doing. On Tuesday, the results were quite good. Kidney function back to normal and platelets up to 80, quite a big jump. So, all good news there.

Tomorrow, is another treatment as well as Fast Track and blood draw. There's a two week break on the treatments after this so the next one will be August 8.

Maureen

Treatment 3

We visited with the nurse practitioner. Blood work all pretty stable. Platelets at 25 so somewhat stable although very low. As one nurse told us, for most people, that’s a shockingly low number but for leukemia and lymphoma patients, it’s expected. There was a little concern about kidney function and Eric was told to really stay hydrated. Treatment followed. No delays today. Everything seems fine. Last treatment was followed by a couple of days of being extremely tired and some dizziness, but lots of sleep seemed to take care of it.

There is more bloodwork and a visit with the nurse practitioner (NP) on Tuesday, followed by bloodwork and treatment again next Friday. Then two weeks off except for the weekly blood and visits with the NP. Doctor visit on 8/8 and I think that’s when the second drug will begin.

Maureen

Treatment Day 2

Per usual, we arrived in time for the 8 am appointment, and were called back at 9:30. We had a very nice lady check us in and when she saw how long the treatment was going to be, she made a point to get us a larger more comfortable room which we both appreciated. Infusion just finished a few minutes ago and, thankfully, Eric seems to have no negative reaction. They keep him for an hour observation afterwards so we are in that hour now and hope to be out of here by 4:15.

Since he is doing well, it looks like we will be heading to Wimberley tomorrow, as we had planned. We will get home Thursday, go for bloodwork, and be back here Friday. Keep praying Eric continues to feel as well as he does so far. 🙏

Maureen

Treatment Day 1

Platelets were, surprisingly, up a bit so no platelet transfusion today. MD Anderson is without a doubt the worst place on the planet for disrespecting people's time. Over 2 hours waiting for an appointment that was supposed to be at 10:45 AM. Process went fine with no adverse reactions other than high blood pressure which seemed to be freaking everyone out. After speaking with the doctor, they chalked it up to a reaction to the steroid they were dripping with the other pre-meds.

Eric feels fine, just tired from an exhausting long day. He had been there since his 8:45 AM blood work appointment and we left about 7 PM. Back tomorrow for round 2 at 8 AM.

Maureen

Drugs to be used in treatment

Obinutuzumab is the infusion drug that will be administered. Venetoclax is the oral that will begin month two (in case you want to research). The previous treatment was rituximab and bendamustine.

After Five Years

After 5 years in remission, Eric's annual follow up labs and CT scan on 6/17 and 6/18 came with bad news this year: his cancer has returned (CLL/SLL-- Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Cell Lymphocytic Lymphoma). The last few weeks have been stressful and angst-filled, waiting for the definitive diagnosis and treatment plan amidst many labs, a bone marrow biopsy, and platelet transfusion. (Normal platelets- 150,000 to 450,000; Eric's-16,000 and only 21,000 post-transfusion: dangerously low.)

Today's visit with the oncologist, Dr. Samaniego (Dr. S or Dr. Sam), was a bit overwhelming and I'll provide more details as I am able to better disseminate everything. 

Eric is going to begin treatment (chemotherapy) immediately, this Friday 7/12 and Saturday 7/13. He'll have bloodwork done Friday morning, then he'll receive another platelet transfusion, and then a five hour chemo treatment. On Saturday, it will be the second five hour chemo treatment.  Some lab work and an office visit will follow later in the week and then the next chemo will be 7/19. It's a long road ahead. The treatment protocol is a year long, with two different drugs. He has not had these drugs previously so it remains unknown how they will make him feel. On a positive note, the oncologist feels the platelets will react positively following the very first treatment. 

If you pray, please do. 

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(For the history of Eric's disease and treatment, which was initially diagnosed in November 2013, please see our previous blog http://howericsdoing.blogspot.com/ . )