FLAG update

Today Gennie is taking her third treatment. She will only have two more. She is beginning to feel some changes but nothing to bad. I can see some strain in her face. She is having trouble sleeping. Tonight she has requested so meds to help with this. They have told us it will take about ten days before she bottoms out. Then hopefully she will slowly begin to recover.
Her spirits are good. Today she had a visit from friends of ours. Patty Streiner and Greg Kline. They are good friends I worked with at Ferguson in northern VA. Patty and I had just become Facebook friends a couple of weeks ago. She lives in PA and was in Williamsburg to visit Greg and his family for New Years. What a nice surprise. It was very thoughtful of them to come to Richmond to visit.
Well I promised more updates so there you go. I hope everyone has a happy and safe new years eve.
Bye for now, Bob

FLAG started

Today Gennie and I drove to Richmond and only I drove back. She is at MCV for the next four to six weeks. This was planned once we found out the Vidaza was not working. They started her treatments today at 5:30. This treatment is only for five days. The balance of time is for recovery. Once her blood cells recover to the point they want to see she will come home for two the four weeks then off to MCV again for her transplant.
The first thing you realize when you enter a hospital is that the doctors all got younger. We met the four doctors on the floor today that will be handling her case. One I am sure had to leave by 6PM in order to get home before curfew. She was the number two in charge. Oh and she was cute too. They were all nice and took their time to answer any and all our questions. The nurses we met were great also. We all know they are the real care givers. Yes they were young also.
Many have asked how they can reach Gennie during this time. The best was is via e-mail. Her address is deadogdottie@yahoo.com . The story behind this address is that deaddog was her persona as a guide and story teller in Williamsburg and Yorktown,VA for several years. I know she is my wife but I will tell you she is a wonderful story teller. She can not only tell a good story but she has been known to make up several as well. I swear almost nothing she says about me is true.
If you want to send her a note or card other than e-mail she is in the CCH hospital room 120 second floor at MCV in Richmond. If you are reading this you can google the address. If you want to visit her that is allowed. The only thing asked is that you not be sick in ANY way. Make sure you wash your hands before entering the room. There is a disinfectant thing just ourside the door as you enter. Sorry no flowers as they are not allowed on the floor. I just tried to find the mailing address and had trouble. I will ask when I am there tomorrow and pass it on.
I am planning to commute to Richmond each day and spend several hours with Gennie. It is only about an hour and twenty minutes each way. That way I can take care of our dog and not hve to make other arrangements for her. It really is not a bad drive.
Wish us luck. Now that her treatments have begun I will try and post updates more often.
Bye for now, Bob

Good report.

     Today Gennie had her final appointment (before her chemo treatments begin) with her local oncologist. We were worried her counts might be low but they are actually up a bit. This is great news with the holidays coming. Tonight we have out annual Christmas party with the gang. A group of folks we have known here in Poquoson for over twenty years. There was a real possibility Gennie would not be able to attend. With her report today she will be there.
     We are both a bit nervous about the upcoming chemo treatments but in some ways glad things are getting started. There have been nights when one or both of us have had trouble sleeping. It is really strange the dreams you can have when you are faced with stressful events. Some of Gennie's dreams have been really.
     I want to wish everyone a wonderful holiday season. We are very thankful for your interest and support. It is sad how many of us are facing so many difficult situations. One thing I have learned (and count on) is that with the love and support of family and friends you can face any challenge.
     I will post again after Gennie has started her treatments. She will be admitted on the 28th. Until then be safe and enjoy the season!!!!
Bob  

Some changes

     Sorry for not posting any news for quite a while. To be honest there was nothing new to post. Well that has changed in a big way. Gennie has been doing and feeling great. She has had three series of Vidaza and we thought all was going well. After her second series we went to MCV for another biopsy. This past Tuesday we got a phone call from Judy our coordinator at MCV. She told us that the Vidaza was not working and Dr. McCarty wanted to see us Friday. OK this only induced slight panic and we started reading all we could find about what may be next. Gennie asked Judy what she thought Dr. McCarty was going to suggest. She said he would probably want to move on to induction chemo and then straight onto transplant. More panic. We finally decided to just relax and wait for our meeting.

     Dr. McCarty does in fact want to move to induction chemo. He has suggested a treatment known as FLAG. This is a combination of Chemo drugs giving in the hospital in a six day period. This is intended to sort of hit the disease hard and beat it into remission. The better the remission she is in the better the chances her transplant will result in a long term or permanent remission. We have scheduled this procedure to begin on either Dec. 27 or 28th. Gennie will be in the hospital (MCV) for a minimum of four weeks and longer in needed. The first seven days will be the actual treatment and the balance is recovery time. Ten days after treatment they will do another biopsy to see if her marrow is responding the way they want. If not another dose may be done, this would add time to the stay. Hopefully it will work correctly and she will just have to recover. Once recovered she will be able to come home for a few weeks. During this time we will be going to Richmond frequently for pre-transplant testing. Her brother will also be tested at this time. If all goes well we are looking at the end of Feb or the beginning of March for transplant. This procedure will be another four to six weeks in the hospital. Once the new cells begin to engraft and she is doing well we will then move to a place to live in the Richmond area for about six months.
     When we get to MCV I will let everyone know her address. The best way to contact her will be e-mail (deadogdottie@yahoo.com) she may not get back to you at first but I know she would like to hear form everyone. She will be allowed to have visitors. The only requirement is that they are healthy. It would be best to wait for a couple of weeks as she will probably not be feeling to well at first. I will let folks know when she is ready for guest.
     A very sad part of the timing is that Gennie will not be able to attend the ceremony for my Dad at Arlington Cemetery on Jan. 17. That is the day my Dad will be reunited with my Mom. Family will be coming from all over the country and my Nephew Robert, an army chaplain, will be performing the ceremony. Since Dad was Army Air Corp both the Army and Air Force will take part in the service. I will attend with my family. Gennie will be there in spirit.
     Like I said in the title, changes. We knew when we started this changes were going to happen. This is just one of what will probably be many. They are frightening but necessary. If one treatment is not working there is no need to continue it. I am just thankful there is another to try. Dr. McCarty did not seem to concerned with the change. He stated that we tried Vidaza first because it is a bit more comfortable on the patient. Well there is nothing easy with Gennie. So on the the next treatment.
     I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas/Hanukkah season. We are looking forward to ours. We will be here in Poquoson with our daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter. We will be wishing we could be with our son, daughter-in-law and grandson also but I am sure we will be face timing with them.
Bob