The Big 3-0

Happy Birthday to Jill! She turned 30 on Sunday, August 28. Some people may dread turning 30, but she is looking forward to better days. In preparation for the upcoming Seattle transplant, Jill started another round of chemotherapy on the Friday after the Omaha visit. The doctors also sampled her spinal fluid for testing. During the past week she has had a difficult time with pain and nausea. On Friday the 26th she was admitted to the hospital for fluids and to get the pain and nausea in check. Jill returned home Sunday morning, but she is still experiencing some nausea. It's frustrating for her to feel so lousy for so long. Plus she has to remain watchful for other side effects from the recent chemo. Rest is the best remedy right now. Hopefully she will want to eat her birthday cake soon. Time frames are still unknown, but she will eventually have a scan to determine if she is ready to proceed with the transplant. Right now the goal is to feel better from the treatment - taking it one day at a time.

Scott

Omaha Trip

Jill, Scott and Sylvia had another good trip, this time to Omaha, Nebraska. The doctor there confirmed that the "low intensity" transplant is the only chance Jill has for a cure. He also provided some helpful information related specifically to Hodgkins’ which will help with her treatment planning prior to the transplant.

The plan, at this point, is to pursue treatment in Boise to get rid of as much cancer as possible. Jill will continue with chemotherapy and possibly some other treatments, not decided yet, interspersed with tests to track her progress. When the doctors decide that the cancer is decreased enough, Jill will be ready for the transplant. Time frames are difficult to estimate but it will likely be at least a month but possibly a few months before she goes for the transplant.

At this point, Jill is relatively certain that she will go to Seattle. She will not have to be hospitalized for the transplant unless she has complications. She will be able to live in an apartment and go to the clinic during the day for treatments.

As always, more information brings more questions but it is good to have some idea of how treatment will proceed. In between treatments, Jill is making good use of her time. She is gardening, exercising to get in the best possible shape and last Saturday Scott took Jill for a hot air balloon ride.

Seattle Trip

Sorry, I haven't reported for a while. I have been traveling alot recently. Jill, Scott and Sylvia returned from a good visit in Seattle last week. They met with staff at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Clinic and then explored housing alternatives. They came away with a lot of information about transplants. They will visit the University of Nebraska next week. They hope to gather more information related more specifically to Hodgkin’s Disease there.

Wedding photos now on-line

Jill's and Scott's wedding photos were on the photographers website, but the site no longer exists.

tom