1/6/09

[From original email]

Hi all ... this emailing list is growing (if you're getting this and don't want to, just let me know. I've added a few people at others' requests).

Welcome to KD's official Day 1 ... he finally started chemo today! Yay! From here on out, they count him in days since he's on a complicated cycle of medication.

So this also starts the cycle of him have almost no immune system and feeling pretty crappy. There is one more test they are waiting on, checking his DNA for specific known "cancer markers" which will tell them if he's at a high risk for relapse. But if that looks good, then his in-hospital treatments should last just under one month from today. YES! in the hospital in the bone marrow ward for one whole month. Then another month for out-patient care which means sitting at home (yes, I will have to clean the whole house several times a week... yikes!) and going in for treatments. Even then he will be tested and have more treatments over the course of a full two years before they will declare him in full remission.

Where was I? Oh, yeah .. so if you want to call KD, that would be awesome... 352-871-6263. If you want to visit, that's still allowed any time of day, but be aware he is in a special ward and there are some rules. (wash your hands when you come into his room, no kids or sick people, no fresh flowers, etc) He's also on a restricted diet, so if you want to bring him food or treats, check with me on the bizarre rules there :-)

*If* the first round of chemo doesn't work, the next step is a bone marrow transplant. Which is tricky since he has no direct siblings, and he's Mexican-Indian so getting a good enough DNA match could be a problem. If only he really was Cherokee like everyone thinks! :-)

Anyhow, this is the beginning of the rollercoaster and the worst of it will be the next two weeks while they basically firebomb his bone marrow from every direction. I'm facing an almost equally challenging task of sorting through paperwork and insurance and medical leave and disability applications, etc etc etc, so this will be a very busy time. I apologize if we miss you by phone or email. Keep trying and we'll connect somehow.

Thanks for everyone who's already visited, called, or reached out. It really matters more now than ever to him.