Friday, August 01, 2008

Unexpected

John has his PET scan yesterday and it revealed some findings that the doctors totally did not expect. They found some signs that the disease had spread to two other parts of his body. So he is unable to undergo radiation following the chemo as planned. Instead, he will undergo at least 4 rounds of chemo followed by a bone marrow transplant. Yesterday we were just flooded with information and everything is so overwhelming. They can't even give us statistics on how well they think this will work because John's lymphoma is very rare and unusual, with basically no literature or other studies like his. At the beginning of each chemo cycle, he spends the night in the hospital to receive one of the drugs through a 12 hour drip. He did this last night and I spoke to him this morning. He said he is feeling o.k. now, but woke up with chills followed by a fever early this morning. He'll then have a 96 hr infusion of chemo this weekend, which is the same as he had last time he went through this. At least it's a little comical that he has to carry around the chemo in a fanny pack. He's definitely not the fanny pack type.

Anyway, we thought that he may be able to work during radiation, but with this development, he'll most definitely have to take a leave from work. I'm hoping that we'll be able to maintain his health insurance and other benefits while he undergoes this. In the meantime, I'm job hunting, but I have no idea what I'll do, seeing as I haven't worked in 3 years. I know we are very supported by friends and family, but there is just a feeling of helplessness I can't shake.

So, that's the update. I'm sure John will be updating his page from his perspective once he's home and rested. Thanks to everyone who's been sending e-mails and well wishes our way. W really, really appreciate it.

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Katie keep strong. My thoughts are with John and you.

Sarah and Jack said...

Oh Katie.

I am so sorry to hear this.

As far as work, what did you do before staying home?

lera said...

Oh, Katie. I am so very sorry. I just can't imagine how your and John must be feeling (and his parents, too).

Lymphoma really stinks. It's such a sneaky cancer. (My father has NHL.)

Hang in there. Good luck job hunting. I'm pretty sure I'm skill-less when it comes to working after being a stay-at-home mom for so long.

Anonymous said...

oh, goodness, that's not good news. you'll get through it, though. as far as insurance, i don't know how yours works, but check out COBRA if you lose yours - it's like an in-between insurance that lets you keep your old one - it might be a government thing. you don't want your husband not on insurance right now!

beki said...

Oh no, I'm so very sorry!

jessica said...

I'm so sorry to hear this latest development. I wish you the best in your job hunt. My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Yvonne said...

My thoughts are with you and your family. I wish you all the best.

Yvonne, Oslo, Norway
www.fjellvang.no/quilt

Berber said...

I'm really sorry to read this... stay strong! Good luck to the both of you!

Anonymous said...

I'm sending postive thoughts and prayers to you and John. You are both so much stronger than you know. The perfect job is waiting for you to claim it!

Chara Michele said...

Oh Katie, I am so sorry to hear this... I will definitely be keeping your family in my thoughts & prayers...

Philigry said...

katie, you will be in my prayers. I am so, so sorry. I hope all will work out with his job.
Stay strong!

Anonymous said...

Big hugs to you, Katie. Let me know if I can do anything.

Frank said...

As I sit in the hospital waiting for my third round of chemo to begin, I'm struck but such a sense of sadness to know that your family and your husband are going through this.

I read John's page and so much of it is eerily similar to my experience.

You and your family are in my thoughts.

xo
Frank

Suzy said...

Oh, Katie. I'm so sorry to hear about your latest news. I can totally relate to your feelings, as I am going through the same thing with my husband who has terminal esophageal cancer. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

Handi Dandi Mandi said...

Katie, I just saw this post today and wanted to let you know you and your family are in my thoughts. I'll be sending good vibes your way.

If you need anything, I'm here for you.