I'm a better dad because of it...

So I picked up our new car today...a minivan. I guess its kinda a parental right of passage...one that was a little tough to stomach. As it turns out - I love the damn thing...Kristin on the other hand is more than a little embarrassed.

Since diagnosed, I started nesting a little more. Protecting things around me with a renewed vigor if you will. I certainly never threw any caution to the wind in the past, but now I like the idea of holing up with my family in our home and spending time together. The van is just an extension of that - side curtain airbags, lower chances of roll-over, four wheel ABS and traction control. Its like driving your sofa clad in armor.

It certainly is not cool, but a nice vehicle at a fair price. I was sad to see the Yukon go, but more in a sentimental way. I was delighted to unload that thing before anything else went wrong with it (and its 12mpg average fuel economy) Admittedly, I'm a little curious how Maris and Eli will respond when I pick them up from school today in a different vehicle than I dropped them off in.

Coming to a theatre near you...

Needed, Neutrophils.

My counts have actually been pretty good for a leukemia patient, but sadly I've been down since last Friday. I tried to use the weekend to recover but it looks like whatever I've got has reared its ugly head again.

I am home from work this afternoon so I can rest up. I feel like I have enough fighter cells (neutrophils) to keep any illness from really taking me out, but not enough to finish it off so things tend to hang on a long time.

I am going to the oncologist on Thursday just to make sure there's nothing else going on that we're missing. It's probably nothing more than a virus but I've learned to expect the unexpected and not ignore my body.

Hemo Update.

Still on Gleevec holiday and my counts remain pretty solid.

Whites - 3,400 (stable)
ANC - 1,700 (stable)
Hemoglobin - 13.9 (stable)
Hematacrit - ? (forgot to ask)
Platelets - 159,000 (relatively stable)

Since these results were processed by a different lab (and immediately), I am curious if the results are directly related. I know that platelet readings can vary based on how long the samples sit.

Oh yeah, my liver. So my bilirubin at its high point 2 weeks ago was 4.9, last Monday it was 4.6 and on Monday it was 3.9. In short - its heading the right direction. It sounds like they'll keep me off the meds for another 2 weeks. They expect my PCR-ABL test to be back by then and we can talk about continued therapy.

I'll take it.

Sorta safe for work.

I'm a pretty big fan of the Comedy Central roasts, most are a mix of great talents and no talents. The Bob Saget roast is no different, however Cloris Leachman kills.

It's just not working out...

How do you break up with a doctor? I need to know by tomorrow because I cheated on mine today and I'm guessing my blood results are going to show that I met with Dr. Cripe today. For those of you coming in late to this dialogue I had set up an appointment with a Leukemia specialist a couple weeks back, and - today I met with him.

The practice was busy, active but surprisingly much more organized. I was whisked away almost immediately after sitting down. This new place has a lab on site and the first thing they do when you arrive is take a CBC. Pretty sweet gig if you ask me - one stop shopping. They did the normal stuff - height, weight, bp, pulse, etc and sent me to an exam room. Next up was about 20 minutes with a med student - its a good primer for meeting with the doc and really gets your mind thinking about all the questions you want to ask.

I did clam up a bit when the doc arrived. He was a little intimidating, but mostly in that teachery sorta way. He explained things very clearly and even left a sheet of notes behind for me. On my way out they decided to take another couple blood samples and even did the test Dr. Dugan sorta did but this time with numbers (not a pass/fail like last time). I should hear back in a couple weeks and we'll probably revisit my bilirubin levels as well.

All in all, a good visit at a good practice with people who seemingly really know their stuff.

Now I need to call Doc Dugan's office tomorrow and let them know that it's just not working out.

Whole damn family.

Been a while since I've added any artwork to the site. In this photo we have Grandmother, Grammadaddy, Bubby, Poppa, Eli and Maris on the front stoop.