In 'n Out

Back in hospital because fevers/blood counts not under control. No news really because they don't know what exactly is going on and what to do about it it seems. In the meantime Andrew has had plenty of IV antibiotics and fluids and transfusions (including platelets). Nausea under control with drugs too now which is a plus. All we know is that he will definitely be in until at least tomorrow. Usually they say until 24hrs without fever ... but that doesn't look like it is going to happen. All cultures taken so far have been negative. They want to do a nasal swab culture and due to past history of nose bleeds ... Andrew is resisting (understandably). Rash has cleared up - two thumbs up. Andrew showing amazing fortitude ... still smiling!

Hoping to go home

At the hospital waiting. Last night they took Andrew off IV antibiotics and changed him to new oral ones ... that's a good sign. Fever was low grade last night ... and rash is looking a little better. We're hopeful!

Watch and wait

.... still in hospital, still spiking fevers, having transfusions and antibiotics etc. Doctors deciding to take a watch and wait approach for now. Skin rash so something is happening ... just not sure what.

On hold - for now

Treatment is temporarily on hold for the moment. Andrew's temperature is up so he has been admitted to Stanford hospital again.

Starting today

Today is the first day of the first treatment with the new drugs. I will have seven days of chemo and then 21 days before the next round. It will be given at Stanford ITA (infusion treatment area) - injections. It is supposed to be well tolerated which is good news. Might be a long day because I probably need blood today. Feeling good and positive!

A note to family and friends

Friends, it's so good to be out of hospital. Had the Bone Marrow Biopsy and afraid the results are not very encouraging. It's all a little confusing because I think the medical team are also a bit confused or confounded by the turn of events. I tolerated the radiation really well, I engrafted really quickly and smoothly ... things were screaming along. When the blood counts continued to drop inspite of all this everyone was scratching their heads. BMB results from last week show a return of the disease and it is behaving quite aggressively. I have just met with a new doctor (hematologist) and this is the plan : try a course of drugs (low grade chemo - methyl somethings) over a period of time to try and "turn on" those genes that fight the cancer (ie knock the disease back down). If we are able to do that then we will try another donor infusion (a third transplant). Treatment consists of 7 days of chemo then three weeks off. Probably a couple of cycles at this stage. Hopefully then blood counts will come up but in the meantime I can have transfusions when needed. I'm sick of being poked so first thing is to get a pic line in for transfusions etc. So hang on folks, here we go. Will try to update blog (or get Penny to) a bit more often as we go.