Today it finally happened, my white blood cell count went down to zero!  This is another scary benchmark, but we are happy about it.   There will be another bone marrow draw from my backside sometime this coming week to confirm that that the cancer is dead.  If it is not, I get to do some more chemo and stay in here longer.  I am hoping cancer is dead.[...]

It has been a couple days since my last update.  This is partly because there has been nothing to talk about.  Things have been running their course without many hiccups which is great news.  The saying around here is "boring is good".[...]

The news from the doctors today is good.  My white blood cells counts keep dropping which means the chemo is still working / doing its job.  It puts a new perspective on what good news is.  I am sleeping well at night when not being poked or prodded.[...]

Today marks the end of my chemo for now.  At 2:00 this afternoon the last bag ran out juice and I was disconnected.  This is big for a couple of reasons.  It marks a benchmark for me.  7 days of chemo, check.  Next up, 7 days of worry while the chemo in my blood continues to take my immune system down to zero.  Another 7 days of waiting for my bone marrow (stem cells) to fire back up and restart my immune system.  Then, hopefully, a final 7 days waiting for my system to get back up to full strength and they send me home.  So like I said, good benchmark today.[...]

Hello all! Just wanted to break into Kevin's new found writing gig and say THANK YOU!! This whole diagnosis/hospital/doctors (you get the idea) has all been, well, a bit overwhelming. The adjusting and absorbing continues, but the amount of help and support that has been flowing our way is truly amazing. I cannot explain how much this means to both of us. So while I am sure I will forget something - thank you for the thoughts and reaching out, thanks for the food, hospital clothes to accommodate a pic line and keep Kevin warm. Thank you for the friendly faces that brighten the day and sending the cards/pictures/texts that make us smile. Thanks for the shoulder to cry on and the chocolate. Thanks to R&H for calling with work questions (seriously, it is a great distraction!) the gift a day basket and the special treats just for me (Wonder Woman will help me get my leukemia warrior face on in the morning). Someone even took our garbage out and I don't even know who it was. So thank you. You guys are awesome. Karen[...]

I was feeling very lazy the past two days, so my posts suffered.  I want to start today's posts by letting everyone know that I have read every comment, post, email or text that all of you have sent me and I am touched by the outpouring.  It is amazing and humbling that so many people care about my wellbeing.  Thank you.[...]

I started my fourth day of chemo today, so I am calling this hump day!  Today was a good day. No appointments or procedures were scheduled so I could just go for walks, reading and so on.  My energy level is remaining about the same so this is good news.  The more energy I can carry into the later days of this will help out.[...]

Sorry for the late entry, today was more taxing than the others.  When I got here I still had a cough from my December cold.  The doctors did a CT scan of my lungs to see what was causing the cough. It did not tell them much so I was scheduled for a "bronchial".  [...]

First I want to start by thanking everyone for your kind words and strong support.  It really does help to know you are not alone.  As adults, we are used to being in control of every aspect of your life, you control your destiny.  Cancer tears you out of the driver seat and throws you in the trunk. I have slowly made the mental transition that the people here are driving and this is for the best.  The team here is all over every detail and ready for any problem that may come up.  It is now reassuring that they are driving.[...]

Today is the day.  The lab work is back.  The doctor sat down with us this morning and let me know that I have AML leukemia. This is the more common leukemia.  Here is a brief run down of how things are going to go.  First, I will be in the hospital for approximately 28 days, I am going to go bat-shit crazy living in 15' x 20' room for the next 28 days.[...]