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/ . )