The last two days have been really long. Right now Fred is in Mayo Hospital in Jacksonville. All day yesterday his temperature fluctuated between 101.5 and 104.8. I drove him to Jacksonville this morning cause they had the chest x-ray from Monday here. They admitted him and here are the results so far.
The pneumonia has expanded in his left lung and now into his right. They have him on IV antibiotics and his fever has come down some. He has no appetite at all. They plan on keeping him a few days. They are talking about doing a scope tomorrow into his lungs to see what bacteria they are dealing with. I will let you know as things progress.
Please keep him in your prayers.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
I know it has been a long time since I wrote anything but remember no news is GOOD news! So since I am writing you know something has come up.
Saturday night Fred started running a fever of 101.8, we knew he had an appointment with Dr. Solberg at Mayo on Monday morning so I just shoved some Tylenol in him and on Sunday morning we headed up to Jacksonville. Fred's fever persisted and he was shaking because he was so cold. He laid on the couch in the hotel room with a blanket and watched The Masters. We ate some dinner and he went to bed around 8 pm. He did not sleep much and his fever got up to 102.5.
We went over to the clinic early to see if they still wanted to run blood work due to his fever. Dr. Solberg saw him right away and ordered some additional blood work, urinalysis and a chest x-ray. He sort of thought it was a viral infection and told us we could head home after the tests and to call for the results since there is nothing you can really take for a viral infection.
I drove home while Fred shook in the car cause he was so cold. After the 3 hour drive we get home to a message on the machine to call Dr. Solberg's nurse right away. Fred has pneumonia. Dr. Solberg called in two antibiotics for him to take and wants to see us back at Mayo later this week.
The good news was his blood work was good considering he has pneumonia. His white blood cells are 2.5; his red blood cells are 3.53; his hemoglobin is 12.3 and his platelets are 137,000. All good considering.
Fred is in his sweats (its 81 degrees outside) and on the couch under a blanket and trying to watch the Cubs opening day on TV. Actually I think he is sleeping more than anything.
I will keep you posted.
Saturday night Fred started running a fever of 101.8, we knew he had an appointment with Dr. Solberg at Mayo on Monday morning so I just shoved some Tylenol in him and on Sunday morning we headed up to Jacksonville. Fred's fever persisted and he was shaking because he was so cold. He laid on the couch in the hotel room with a blanket and watched The Masters. We ate some dinner and he went to bed around 8 pm. He did not sleep much and his fever got up to 102.5.
We went over to the clinic early to see if they still wanted to run blood work due to his fever. Dr. Solberg saw him right away and ordered some additional blood work, urinalysis and a chest x-ray. He sort of thought it was a viral infection and told us we could head home after the tests and to call for the results since there is nothing you can really take for a viral infection.
I drove home while Fred shook in the car cause he was so cold. After the 3 hour drive we get home to a message on the machine to call Dr. Solberg's nurse right away. Fred has pneumonia. Dr. Solberg called in two antibiotics for him to take and wants to see us back at Mayo later this week.
The good news was his blood work was good considering he has pneumonia. His white blood cells are 2.5; his red blood cells are 3.53; his hemoglobin is 12.3 and his platelets are 137,000. All good considering.
Fred is in his sweats (its 81 degrees outside) and on the couch under a blanket and trying to watch the Cubs opening day on TV. Actually I think he is sleeping more than anything.
I will keep you posted.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Thursday, February 12, 2009
We received further information from Mayo Clinic in regards to the Bone Marrow Aspiration that was performed last week.
Although the majority of the report is written in " Doctor Talk" and a normal person cannot understand, the final diagnosis is written in English.
The final diagnosis states - " Marrow changes consistent with treatment. No residual chronic lymphocytic leukemia identified".
So for now, the Leukemia is gone from the body. however as explained before, it will return, the question that still remains is when.
Next steps for us will be to return to normal living, working, playing, etc. Dr. Solberg said this should not occur until mid March because the body needs time to heal from the trauma it has been through. On April 13th, we'll be back at Mayo for more testing and to start exploring and understanding what lies ahead and the estimated timeline.
Thank you all for your support and prayers.
Love,
Carol & Fred
Although the majority of the report is written in " Doctor Talk" and a normal person cannot understand, the final diagnosis is written in English.
The final diagnosis states - " Marrow changes consistent with treatment. No residual chronic lymphocytic leukemia identified".
So for now, the Leukemia is gone from the body. however as explained before, it will return, the question that still remains is when.
Next steps for us will be to return to normal living, working, playing, etc. Dr. Solberg said this should not occur until mid March because the body needs time to heal from the trauma it has been through. On April 13th, we'll be back at Mayo for more testing and to start exploring and understanding what lies ahead and the estimated timeline.
Thank you all for your support and prayers.
Love,
Carol & Fred
Friday, February 6, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009 (part 2)
We're reaching for the "top shelf" tonight and celebrating! Since there is no cure for CLL, Dr. Solberg said he could not call it a "complete remission", but for now the bad leukemia cells are completely killed off and out of the body.
The immune system remains suppressed and it will be another 4 to 5 weeks before a return to normal activities.
In two months, it will be a return trip to Mayo and at that time we will outline the future course of treatment. At some point a Bone Marrow transplant is in the future, but Dr. Solberg thought it was best to hold off those decisions until April.
So for now, we're celebrating! Since I'm limited to only a couple of "adult beverages", I'm sure there will be a few of you out there that will hoist a few this weekend and join us in the celebration.
Thank you for your support and prayers,
Fred and Carol
The immune system remains suppressed and it will be another 4 to 5 weeks before a return to normal activities.
In two months, it will be a return trip to Mayo and at that time we will outline the future course of treatment. At some point a Bone Marrow transplant is in the future, but Dr. Solberg thought it was best to hold off those decisions until April.
So for now, we're celebrating! Since I'm limited to only a couple of "adult beverages", I'm sure there will be a few of you out there that will hoist a few this weekend and join us in the celebration.
Thank you for your support and prayers,
Fred and Carol
Friday, February 6, 2009
Fred had his CT scan this morning and we are now waiting to see Dr. Solberg this afternoon. Fred has a cold and they put him on an antibiotic so I hope it kicks in soon. He is very tired. Keep good thoughts for this afternoon.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Fred had his blood work and bone marrow biopsy this morning. He was a nervous wreck about the biopsy, but luckily they gave him some Adavant to take 1 hour prior to the procedure. I ended up giving him another one about 15 minutes before the procedure cause he was still a nervous wreck. He wasn't feeling too much pain (if you know what I mean) by the time he had the biopsy. Needless to say he has been sleeping soundly since.
I went to pick up a prescription for him and to get him some lunch that he wanted, but I don't think he even knew I was gone and he doesn't even know that I am back already. I am hoping he sleeps most of the day and the pain from the procedure isn't too bad.
We know they have to send the bone marrow biopsy results to Rochester, but they do some of their own preliminary tests also from the bone marrow, so after his CT scan tomorrow we are hoping that Dr. Solberg will have some good news for us tomorrow afternoon.
I went to pick up a prescription for him and to get him some lunch that he wanted, but I don't think he even knew I was gone and he doesn't even know that I am back already. I am hoping he sleeps most of the day and the pain from the procedure isn't too bad.
We know they have to send the bone marrow biopsy results to Rochester, but they do some of their own preliminary tests also from the bone marrow, so after his CT scan tomorrow we are hoping that Dr. Solberg will have some good news for us tomorrow afternoon.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
We just arrived in Jacksonville. Sorry I haven't posted lately but Fred has been doing well. He still gets tired easily, but otherwise has been doing great.
Tomorrow Fred has the dreaded bone marrow biopsy and blood work done. On Friday he has a CT scan and then we see Dr. Solberg and hopefully find out where we go from here.
Tomorrow Fred has the dreaded bone marrow biopsy and blood work done. On Friday he has a CT scan and then we see Dr. Solberg and hopefully find out where we go from here.
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