Rx
We’ll try and post the dry medical stuff here.
Lee is diagnosed with either stage 3 or 4 diffuse large b-cell lymphoma (non-hodgkins).
First off, Lee has a full body mri tomorrow morning (mon) and then we’re meeting with another “expert”, if there is such a thing, at the univ of colorado, and then she’s having an ekg, because the chemo has the potential for scarring her heart.
Once we’re done with tomorrow, we should have a decent idea as to maybe what stage the cancer is in. It’s not really going to change much at this point. She’s still starting chemo on Wednesday. I’m hiring a mariachi band to come in. If they’ll let me. Cancer cells hate mariachi. We hope it drives them away. The cancer cells, that is.
At this point, we’re fairly convinced that we’re going to try to keep the pregnancy intact. This means hoping to finish up with chemo in 12 weeks and inducing birth at 32 weeks. Young kid. The baby, who i want to name Loma (for lymphoma, but it also means “hill” in spanish, and what a hill), will spend 1-2 months in the NICU. There is a chance of serious side effects to the baby from chemo, but because nobody lee’s age gets this cancer (except our little princess), there’s basically NO data on exactly what the risks are during pregnancy. The side effects could be fetal demise or the baby getting cancer early on or later. We’re all in for it.
9 Comments
January 15, 2007 at 4:04 pm
L & D-
I hope all goes well today.. and every day ahead. like all your other friends and family, I keep checking this site obsessively, waiting for good news, and feeling amazed and proud of who you guys are-
your humor, your love, your friends, your faith in something beyond yourselves (especially as you see how far the ripples of your own life reach) will get you through.
I wish I were in town to bring over yet more food to overflow the fridge…and take Lydia out to play…just so I could do something tangible.
Thinking of you, and sending love from Arizona-
Allison
January 16, 2007 at 3:30 pm
You guys are more than welcome to stay in my apartment if you need to do any type of treatment, visit, etc. in New York… What is the name of the experimental drug?
January 17, 2007 at 4:03 am
All three of you are in my prayers! You WILL beat this together. Lydia will be your strength.
January 17, 2007 at 3:53 pm
We just want you guys to know we are thinking about you all today and every day. Leanne you know how much we all love you and we’re sending the hugest hugs all the way from Dubai. xx
January 18, 2007 at 4:21 am
The Japanese invented a type of poem, haiku, that can capture the essence of a place, or a feeling, in just three lines. Often, there is a reference to nature, sometimes, a juxtaposition to create a moment of insight. There is a famous one about a frog on a stone. Now there is one about cancer:
Leanne has cancer
Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck
Fuck off crab. Fuck off.
January 18, 2007 at 6:43 pm
I remember the day in my life when everything changed on a dime. My daughter has some hair for you. Amy has been growing her hair for over 1 year for Locks of Love. It is a beautiful wavy brown so you may want to try being a brunette. The drug Ativan was of extreme help to me during my time. I am thinking of you and everyone at Kaiser Centerpoint sends you their prays, warm wishes, positive energy, charma, or whatever you need.
Laura Eral
January 20, 2007 at 5:09 am
My friend Kim knows Nancy McKeever. Nancy had stage 4 critical bone marrow lymphoma 25 years ago. Her son was 6 years old at the time of her diagnosis. Now she has a 3 year old grandson. My friend Kim has talked to her about your case and she would like to talk with you. Her husband is the President of the Colorado Leukemia and Lymphoma Association. They know many of the Hematologists in the area. Her cell number is 303-956-8239. My home number is 303-753-1380 if you have problems getting through to her. Keep fighting.
January 21, 2007 at 8:08 am
Aloha Leeann and Danny,
This is Rachael, in Hawaii. We have a mutual good friend - Katie, who forwarded me your website today.
My heart so much goes out to you both, and the courageous journey you’re on now.
I am writing to give you added hope and some help with info. if you’d like.
I’m in my mid-thirties, and have/had Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma - which had metastasized to my spine in a couple places, and all through my bone marrow. I’m nearly finished with 16 treatments of chemotherapy (8 months) - and recently, after recovery from my 12th treatment, I had a PET scan, and it showed up clear. I’m still continuing with the planned 16 treatments - but I’m on the home stretch!
I am doing extremely well with the chemotherapy and it’s side effects - mainly due to several complimentary modalities, including certain supplements (all okayed with my oncology pharmacist). I would love to share with you what has made such a difference for me, in hopes that it will too make a difference for your recovery after each treatment, and for your baby’s.
Please feel free to call me at (808)497-9695 and I would be more than happy to spend time with you on the phone.
Love and strength,
Rachael
January 25, 2007 at 7:45 am
Dearest Leanne and Daniel,
I’m catching up on your writing and I thank you for sharing your experiences. That’s how you are giving now.
Leanne, you wrote that the giving of your friends and family is “unnecessary.” But it is SO very necessary. For your friends and your family. As necessary as it is to accept that there are times each of us needs to be the one(s) to receive. Without the immediate return of giving. It’s hard. You feel this sense that you “owe” someone something. But there have been times you have been the giver without expecting anything in return. Well, now you’re getting the returns. And maybe not from those very same people who were the recipients of your gifts, your warmth, your loving.
I hope it won’t be hard on you to accept all that’s being given to you. They’ll be another time when it’s your turn. And you’ll give your gifts to those who are in need at that time.
My thoughts are with you.
Your cousin,
Debbie
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