Friday, August 15, 2008

Minor Setback


Today's ultrasound showed that the clot in Dave's left leg has grown a bit, down into the Popliteal vein, so he has to restart the Arixtra (anticoagulant) injections, and Coumadin pills, and every-few-days blood draws. Then get another ultrasound in six months.

Thursday, August 7, 2008

The New Doctor


Dave had his most recent Rituxan infusion yesterday. It was the first time we had a chance to meet with his new Hematology Oncologist, Dr. L. (Dave's previous doctor moved to Seattle in July.) We were pretty impressed with him - the new guy is very young, very personable, but best of all he communicates easily and openly, with specific facts.

I had given up hope of ever learning Dave's FISH results (a test of the genetic changes in the cancer cell.) Dr. L told us, before I even had a chance to ask, that Dave has the 13q deletion, which is very good news (it's a less aggressive form of CLL.)

Dr. L plans to continue Dave's Rituxan treatments through the end of this year. He's attending a Hematology/Oncology conference in December and he will meet with us after that to decide on Dave's treatment for the coming year.