- Messages
- 54,124
- Reaction score
- 8,270
- # of dives
- 500 - 999
First we had hassles over her gear purchases (see Whine forum), and then I developed a clogged vein on our first little dive trip (see this forum), and now this. I think she got as excited over my diagnosis as I did, tho, so maybe that little upset helped her get to the doctor sooner about whatever it was that did. This has all happened so quickly, I haven't heard that yet?
She came up last weekend, and didn't seem at her best, but I'm on such restricted duty that our tour of a nearby State Park was pretty much a drive thru experience. Then we stayed in Sunday so I could help her a bit as she studied for her Nitrox course (that failed - Whine forum), and she mentioned being chilled when the room was 72 F, but I figured that was because she was from Houston and hoped she wasn't catching a bug. The next evening by phone, she tells me of the testing before she came up: chronic lymphocytic leukemia also called CLL. Treatment is chlorambucil.
We've been in frequent communication since as she went thru additional tests, then got transferred to M.D.ANDERSON. It is convenient to have one of the top cancer hospitals in the world there in her city, even if she does have to drive across town. They advise that she's Stage 1 to maybe 2, gave her an IV treatment Friday that she's been puking from all weekend, and tomorrow she starts the pills for six weeks.
Cancer is all too common for those of us who survive American streets and hiways and live into our 50s and beyond, but as far as tumors go - this one sounds preferable to many others I've seen family and friends endure. I'm grateful that she caught it early, that she has such great treatment opportunities at hand, she recently retired so doesn't have to go to work sick, and she's in good physical shape otherwise.
We've read the info from DAN and canceled her part of my Florida trip next month, and we've read the sites Google pops up. Good news, bad news. Her LDS#3 was very kind about her canceling her Aow class this weekend, and her Instructor even called to convey an encouraging story about her friend who survived CLL. Emotionally, she's pretty stressed - afraid she'll die in her sleep and such. I've tried to be supportive, telling her I understand reminding her it's been less than two months since I found myself crying in a hospital hallway while trying to ask directions of a stranger, but then - I really never have understood women, so who knows if I've done a good job, err - "it"...? (Private joke)
How about it ScubaBoard members and friends - any supportive stories you'd like to share here...?
I'd appreciate your time and trouble, and I know she will.
She came up last weekend, and didn't seem at her best, but I'm on such restricted duty that our tour of a nearby State Park was pretty much a drive thru experience. Then we stayed in Sunday so I could help her a bit as she studied for her Nitrox course (that failed - Whine forum), and she mentioned being chilled when the room was 72 F, but I figured that was because she was from Houston and hoped she wasn't catching a bug. The next evening by phone, she tells me of the testing before she came up: chronic lymphocytic leukemia also called CLL. Treatment is chlorambucil.
We've been in frequent communication since as she went thru additional tests, then got transferred to M.D.ANDERSON. It is convenient to have one of the top cancer hospitals in the world there in her city, even if she does have to drive across town. They advise that she's Stage 1 to maybe 2, gave her an IV treatment Friday that she's been puking from all weekend, and tomorrow she starts the pills for six weeks.
Cancer is all too common for those of us who survive American streets and hiways and live into our 50s and beyond, but as far as tumors go - this one sounds preferable to many others I've seen family and friends endure. I'm grateful that she caught it early, that she has such great treatment opportunities at hand, she recently retired so doesn't have to go to work sick, and she's in good physical shape otherwise.
We've read the info from DAN and canceled her part of my Florida trip next month, and we've read the sites Google pops up. Good news, bad news. Her LDS#3 was very kind about her canceling her Aow class this weekend, and her Instructor even called to convey an encouraging story about her friend who survived CLL. Emotionally, she's pretty stressed - afraid she'll die in her sleep and such. I've tried to be supportive, telling her I understand reminding her it's been less than two months since I found myself crying in a hospital hallway while trying to ask directions of a stranger, but then - I really never have understood women, so who knows if I've done a good job, err - "it"...? (Private joke)
How about it ScubaBoard members and friends - any supportive stories you'd like to share here...?
I'd appreciate your time and trouble, and I know she will.