I'll try to keep this as concise as possible since I have absolutely no focus right now.
Two weeks ago, after experiencing some angina, my father had a heart catheterization. They checked for new blockages - which they didn't find - and also inspected his bypasses - which are holding up remarkably well twelve years after his triple bypass surgery. Dad got a clean bill of health, an adjustment to his medication, and was sent on his way.
Last week he developed an infection in the arm where he'd had an IV during the heart cath. Mom took him to the emergency room on Thursday night, where they did blood tests and started treating the infection with antibiotics. That's when they discovered that Dad's white blood cell count was astronomically high (67,000+). The ER staff promptly packed Dad up at three o'clock in the morning and sent him to the Cleveland Clinic's oncology ward.
The Clinic staff, while exceptional, were reluctant to diagnose my father. They continued to treat the infection, from which Dad bounced back remarkably, and ran more blood work. On Monday morning they performed a bone marrow biopsy, said they'd call with the results on Friday, and sent him home.
The official diagnosis came this afternoon, a day early. Dad has chronic myelogenous leukemia. However, it's currently accelerating at an acute rate and is considered to be in "blast crisis stage". The doctors instructed my father to hang up the phone, get in the car, and head directly back to the Cleveland Clinic to start chemotherapy. By the time I post this, he should be in treatment.
And that's where we stand. We don't know how good or bad things are, what to expect from the treatment, or the long-term prognosis. The good news is that they're reacting swiftly. The bad news is that we don't know if the swift reaction is good news or bad news. The silver lining is that Dad's already bald so he's won half the fight against chemo without having to try.
We'll know more by the end of the night, I imagine, and I'll certainly keep everyone informed. I appreciate all of the e-mails, text messages, phone calls, and comments of support and concern. Since getting back to the city on Monday night I've been a combination of swamped and totally fatigued and haven't replied to most of you. Please know that your sentiments are deeply appreciated by my entire family.
And now I'll go do what family tradition dictates during times of crisis - drink and obsess.
Posted by mak at September 14, 2006 5:40 PMKeeping good thoughts for you and your family.
Posted by: Curtis at September 14, 2006 6:30 PMxoxoxoxo don't forget...martini bar and strippers. We'll find a way!
Posted by: Jenn at September 14, 2006 7:11 PMYour Dad and Mom are great people. We're all praying for them...
Joannie
Posted by: Joannie at September 14, 2006 7:22 PMGood heavens - my thoughts go out to you and your family.
Posted by: Rocqui at September 14, 2006 9:08 PMOh hon, I don't know what to say. Have one for me, please, and two more for yourself.
Posted by: Jeff at September 14, 2006 9:58 PMMAK, you are your Mother's son! I just thought I would check here for a good laugh before bed and now I'm crying again. We will all get through this with Dad and with the good thoughts and prayers from our dear friends.
Now before I begin to obsess even more, I'm going to finish my fish bowl full of wine, take a shower and get ready to face tomorrow with Dad.
I love you!
MamaMak
Shit, shit, shit, honey. I'll be thinking about you all.
Posted by: Chris at September 14, 2006 11:36 PMOh honey, honey, honey. So much love and so many hugs sent from down here.
Posted by: Karen at September 15, 2006 12:12 AMThinkin' of you on the Left Coast here. Take care of yourself, and give yourself permission to cry.
Posted by: Judy at September 15, 2006 1:15 AMEGADS@ So sorry to hear/read about this! My thoughts are with you and yer family.
Posted by: Lee at September 15, 2006 6:09 AMSorry to hear about this. My prayers are with your dad and you and your family.
Posted by: alan at September 15, 2006 7:43 AMAdd another prayer to the pile. I'm pulling for you, your dad and your family.
Oh buddy,
Nothing to say here other than I love you and you know that my whole family loves you and we will be praying for you and yours.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do. Remember that I am only a 10 minute drive away from your parent's house and the Clinic.
lots of love,
little O
Your family is in my thoughts.
Posted by: Sam at September 15, 2006 10:34 AMMAK, so sorry to hear about this situation with your dad. It is nice to know that he has access to some of the best doctors available at The Clinic. He and your mom are good people and lord knows that they will keep each other's spirits up during the treatment process.
Best wishes to you and your family!!
Posted by: Mark at September 15, 2006 10:52 AMThoughts and prayers are with you and your family MAK...
Posted by: Spider at September 15, 2006 11:06 AMI'm so sorry your dad has to face this. I'll be praying for him and all your family.
Posted by: Carrie at September 15, 2006 1:02 PMMy thoughts are with you and your family.
Posted by: Jere at September 15, 2006 1:47 PMYipes! That is scary. Sending best wishes to you and your family!
Posted by: Andy at September 15, 2006 5:35 PMMAK,
Your dad and family are in my prayers. I'm so glad you were able to be in Cleveland last weekend. Hold on tight to one another.
Kristi
Hey
I haven't been around much lately... I was initially going to say "Wow, nice new theme!" but then I read your post.
Having just lost my father a couple months ago, I can honestly say that I know the pain you're feeling right now. Although your dad is still here, getting news like that is never easy to digest. It's scary. It's painful.
The thing that sucks about getting older is that EVERYONE gets older. Our parents, our relatives, and everyone else we know and love get older, too. And sometimes those people get sick. Why living just can't be easy for our entire lives and then end suddenly one day is one the great mysteries of life... and, I think, one of God's practical jokes.
I'm thinking of you... as are the rest of all of us. Stay strong for him. He needs that the most.
Posted by: RcktMan at September 16, 2006 3:02 AMYou are in my thoughts. It is so surreal, I know. Take one day at a time and remember to breathe.
Posted by: Phil at September 16, 2006 9:54 AMThoughts prayers good wishes and strength fly to you and your family from me.
Posted by: scottk at September 16, 2006 3:01 PMThinking of you.
Posted by: Pam at September 16, 2006 8:54 PMI'm really enjoying this blog! Remind me to tell you the story about getting lost in the woods by following the cows when I was little, I thought they would bring me home, and they didn't.
Posted by: derek at September 17, 2006 12:03 AMDamn. I hope he responds well and vanquishes the cancer quickly. Hang in there! *hug*
Posted by: Jess at September 17, 2006 11:27 AMOh, honey, this sucks! I love you and think your whole family is delicious and am sending thousands of happy pink bubbles to you.
smooch*
Your Father and you all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Keep us informed and if there's anything you need, let us know.
Posted by: mark at September 18, 2006 11:36 AMthinking of you and your awesome family. let me know if you should need anything.
xo
I experienced some angina once, but now I'm gay.
ba-dum-bah.
Seriously, good to hear that your dad is doing well -- these things can be scary! My mom has had one hell of a time recently with an incision that didn't heal properly, so I sympathize.
Posted by: Andy at September 19, 2006 2:20 PMJust sending you my love and best wishes to your family. Sorry I've been so absent for so long - you are in my thoughts.
Posted by: MzOuiser at September 20, 2006 12:14 PM