Adrienne has had a relaxing week off of school. She's been doing a bit of homework, researching graduate schools, looking into summer internships, and most importantly, sleeping late and eating some of the baked goods I made. After last summer's internship working for a hedge fund, she's realized that business school isn't her cup of tea and she isn't as ambitious or aggressive as people in that world. Instead, she's looking at getting her doctorate in clinical psychology. We all like the idea of calling her Dr. and think it's a great way for her to go. Meanwhile, she's looking for a summer internship (preferably paid but volunteer would be okay too) in clinical work.
Tomorrow night is the Elton John concert and we're all really excited. Curt saw him in 1973 when Yellow Brick Road came out and it was one of the first LPs I ever got. It makes us feel really old but we're still excited. He's only here a few weeks each year and, because it's Good Friday, we were able to get great seats at a great price. (We're Jewish so it's okay.) Have a Happy Easter everyone.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Home
Adrienne arrived earlier today and is taking her nap now. Boy, that girl can sleep, even on an airplane. She's very thin but otherwise looks well. She had another fall a few days ago and her knee is a bit swollen and scuffed but hopefully it isn't serious. She's also itching again. The itching doesn't indicate how much disease she has but it's usually a sign that something is growing. We were just hoping for a little break. But leave it to Adrienne, she's looking at graduate schools now. Stay tuned. Our big event during her visit is seeing Elton John on March 21. I can't wait.
My mother in law had another fall last Friday, breaking her hip and shoulder. She's home now with Curt's brother taking care of her, but obviously, we're all very concerned. The cancer isn't bothering her so much but she's in a lot of pain from the breaks so we're still taking things a day at a time. My mother's husband also had heart surgery a few weeks ago and has had a tough recovery. It's so hard when your parents get old, you know it's going to happen, but still it's tough.
My mother in law had another fall last Friday, breaking her hip and shoulder. She's home now with Curt's brother taking care of her, but obviously, we're all very concerned. The cancer isn't bothering her so much but she's in a lot of pain from the breaks so we're still taking things a day at a time. My mother's husband also had heart surgery a few weeks ago and has had a tough recovery. It's so hard when your parents get old, you know it's going to happen, but still it's tough.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Quick Check
Adrienne went in today for labs and a PFT. For some reason, the doctor ordered only part of the PFT so she'll probably need to go again (ugh). Her blood counts were great, almost back to normal and her Hodgkin's symptoms (itching, wheezing) are non-existent so it's all good. She even drove herself today. Now she just needs to gain back some weight. We'll be working on that when she comes home next week.
For some time, I've been keeping in touch with Jennifer Willey, a young woman from Maine, who had an allo transplant over a year ago for Hodgkin's. Jennifer is fighting very serious graft-vs-host disease. Her spirit and will to live is amazing while she faces unbelievable obstacles. Please go to her website and leave her a note: http://www.freewebs.com/jenniferwilley/. I don't think I've made a secret of it but I don't believe that allo transplants for Hodgkin's are wise. Given the risks (high) and chances of success (low), we would not choose to do it given the options available today.
For some time, I've been keeping in touch with Jennifer Willey, a young woman from Maine, who had an allo transplant over a year ago for Hodgkin's. Jennifer is fighting very serious graft-vs-host disease. Her spirit and will to live is amazing while she faces unbelievable obstacles. Please go to her website and leave her a note: http://www.freewebs.com/jenniferwilley/. I don't think I've made a secret of it but I don't believe that allo transplants for Hodgkin's are wise. Given the risks (high) and chances of success (low), we would not choose to do it given the options available today.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Waiting for Clinical Trial
We're in a holding pattern now waiting for the AKT inhibitor clinical trial to come online. Apparently, just one more approval is needed from City of Hope's internal review board, which meets on March 11. Adrienne is off school the week of March 17 and would like to start the trial the following week. As usual for a trial, she'll need scans, blood work, and a bone marrow biopsy...her poor backside. I can't even count how many of these she's had over the years.
Adrienne is really enjoying her classes this semester even though she's a bit overwhelmed right now with midterms and papers. She is still absolutely committed to graduating with her class in May, 2009. Unfortunately, she had a few more falls this week and has been extremely fatigued so driving is out again for the time being. The neuropathy resolves for most people within four to six months but, obviously, we hope it doesn't last that long. Thankfully, she isn't having any pain right now and she hasn't hurt anything seriously with the falls.
Adrienne is really enjoying her classes this semester even though she's a bit overwhelmed right now with midterms and papers. She is still absolutely committed to graduating with her class in May, 2009. Unfortunately, she had a few more falls this week and has been extremely fatigued so driving is out again for the time being. The neuropathy resolves for most people within four to six months but, obviously, we hope it doesn't last that long. Thankfully, she isn't having any pain right now and she hasn't hurt anything seriously with the falls.
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