Well it has been a roller coaster month... It all started out when I went to the doctor and had to go back to have my labs completed early one morning. I had been bugging Jeff to make an appointment for an annual exam since he has been so sick lately. So while we were there I had him schedule an appointment for Monday 11/7/11 for 3pm. He was so sick his parents had to come over and take him to the doctors. They drew a lot of blood for multiple tests. Then on Tuesday he was still so sick I took off work and took him in again. Dr. Puls had received back some of the blood work and informed us that his red blood, white blood and platelets were off and the cells were deformed. Then on Wednesday 11/9/11 Jeff had an appointment with his pulmonologist Dr. Jananta - she took a look at his blood work and immediately called his Dr. to see what the plan was. Jeff said she went into mother bear mode. They also took an x-ray of his lungs to make sure they were clear. Then Jeff was told that he would see Dr. Sariano in Oncology tomorrow 11/10/11. So Jeff and I showed up to Dr. Sariano's office and they took more blood and Dr. Sariano told us that from what they knew so far they were looking for a B-12 issue, lymphoma, leukemia or hormone imbalance. So they sent Jeff to get a CT scan of his abdomen and checked for Splenomegaly or Thrombocytopenia. They also wanted to do a 24 hour urine collection.
At this time all we knew was that they were looking for a couple of types of lymphoma or a couple of types of leukemia or a hormone imbalance or B-12 issue. After these tests they ruled out all but forms of lymphoma or leukemia. So another blood test later and a bone marrow test they called us on Monday November 21st to let us know that Jeff was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia called Hairy Cell Leukemia.
It is the most treatable leukemia. After doing some research and speaking with the doctors we have learned if you have to have leukemia that this is the one to have. Jeff will have to take one cycle for 5 days of chemo using a drug called Cladribine. It has been developed just for this form of leukemia. Out of all leukemia patients diagnosed with Leukemia only 2% will have HCL.
We feel so very blessed as we have many friends that suffer with other forms of cancer, lymphoma and leukemias and have had to go through so much more. This medicine so far has not made Jeff sick and we feel the prayers of all our family and friends along with all your support you have shown us. It has made going through this ordeal so much easier to bear. This is the write up that Jeff posted about his feelings on this situation.
The Uninvited Guest By: Jeff Jewkes
I’d like to introduce you to a new guest in my house. Although uninvited, he apparently has squeezed through a crack in the window and, unfortunately, there is no pushing him back out. He’s a bit of a rare bird. His full name is Hairy Cell Leukemia. I will spare you the long details of his existence but, when time allows, you can learn all about him by clicking HERE. In honor of being concise I will just refer to him as “Hairy”.
So, Hairy has given me the preverbal “deal I can't refuse”. Reluctantly, I must accept his offer. Fortunately, however, I understand Hairy is rather slow in nature and I have an opportunity to facilitate this “deal” on my terms. It appears that certain treatments can have profound effects on Hairy’s attitude and chances are high he will be forced to play nice in my house for the foreseeable future.
Now, dear friends, I am pretty confident there’s not one amoung you reading this that doesn’t have some uninvited guest(s) of whatever kind, form and severity in your house too. Why should my house be any different? While this circumstance is awkward for me, I do not consider myself unlucky. On a whole, I am a blessed man, a lucky man. Relatively, I lead a blessed life. As you all know, there are so many who suffer in this world, truly suffer. Some of whom we know personally and others we learn about. I do not expect my uninvited guest to cause the level of misfortune, tragedy and suffering I have personally witnessed in other’s houses. To quote a certain Roman general, “Iacta alea est” (the die is cast). Are we not all born into this mortal and imperfect world in which, by being here, things inevitability and irrevocably happen?
Lastly, I’d like to give my heartfelt acknowledgement and deep thank you to the tremendous outpouring of encouragement, prayers and well wishes I have and am receiving from all of you. Thank you. . . thank you. . . You are sending admiration and praise my way that I am unsure I deserve. Never the less, I humbly accept your sentiments and feel honored and humbled to have so many dear friends. . . God bless you all.
