You'd think with being this bored and lonely that I'd take more time and care with my update post. NOPE, you wrong. Here are copied and pasted CaringBridge updates in one jumbled up mess 'cause I can't be bothered.
Now I wouldn't make this offer to just anyone .... oh wait, since I ain't even met none of you passing down the street maybe I AM making this to just about anyone ..... anyhow, all seriousness aside: I can try to sneak a couple/few of my regulars on to Caring Bridge if you have an interest. Or are looking for a laugh. Queenie's the boss on it and is kinda being a pain on some of it so I can't make promises but if you leave your e-mail in a comment or e-mail your e-mail to my e-mail I'll send an invite and we'll see how it goes. If not you'll be stuck here in my little purgatory of copy/pastee.
This is my first official incarceration so please be gentle with me!!
Anyhow, on with the updates!!
Site created on June 5, 2021
Thanks to a routine medical exam (May 24th), God allowed us to find out that Jeff was developing Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
In a matter of a couple of days, he went from seeming generally healthy to having a serious illness. We're very grateful for his doctors in town who moved quickly to get him to the next step. His primary had him set up with Broome Oncology and a bone marrow biopsy in just a couple of days. His oncologist got right on setting us up with Roswell Park Cancer Center. This, in particular, was impressive to us - a local doctor that was willing to suggest that Binghamton isn't necessarily the best place to be treated for a serious illness. Friday, June 4th we were in Buffalo for more tests and will be returning on Tuesday for the results and the expectation of admission for treatment.
Dr. Wang, at Roswell, has been encouraging. She believes that this is treatable and even curable. New test results will reveal any further complexities of this illness and help to determine the specifics of his treatment. However, the baseline treatment will be infusion chemotherapy. This will be used to help reset the bone marrow then leave enough behind to begin rebuilding healthy cells. Jeff will need to be in the hospital for 4 to 6 weeks. Once this process is complete, it is expected that weeks, even months, of further treatments will take place. The location of those treatments will be determined later.
We appreciate all of your prayers and support as Jeff begins this battle!
Please pray for wisdom for the medical staff and strength for Jeff!
Thanks again!!
Hi guys!!
As Jeff said, he is settling into the hospital.
We did get good news today as far as the details of his treatment is concerned. He has the most basic form of this cancer and therefore it is the most simply treated. The basics will involve a cocktail of 3 drugs. Two will be all seven days and the third will be added every other day. He began his regimen just a few minutes ago. They are also giving him steroids, anti-nausea, and other things I can't recall to help counteract the effects of the chemo.
We are even more grateful today for his doctor. We found out that she was basically responsible for getting the insurance/financials straightened out, allowing Jeff to get his treatment here at Roswell. When she discovered he was going to be turned away due to "out of network" insurance issues, she made some calls high up the food chain and wrote some emails telling her people (Roswell) to get it straightened out. Being out of network was no excuse for missing out on great treatment. Dr. Wang is a rock star!!
So, Jeff will be receiving his chemo treatment for 7 days. After that, he will be getting blood transfusions, platelets, other meds, and day 14 will bring another bone marrow biopsy. Then the next two to four weeks will be watching him and his test results and looking for the right levels of healthy cells in order to send him home. Providing all goes as planned he will get smaller batches of chemo treatments beginning here in Buffalo with the hopes of continuing at home under the care of Dr. Harris at Broome Oncology.
Today I left a guy who was feeling pretty darn good at the hospital in order to make him feel crummy from treatment in order to heal him from this cancer we almost didn't know he had.
Everything has come together so well for him that we cannot help but be optimistic about the prognosis. We know that God has orchestrated this all for us!
Thank you, everyone, for your love and support!
I will try to have a mailing address tomorrow for sending cards.
Day 1 was a good one. No immediate effects from the chemo. They had warned there could be. Lord willing, it's a sign that his strong constitution will get him through just a little easier than the average bear 🐻.
Thank you, all, for your thoughts and prayers!
For those who would like to send cards (hopefully obnoxious funny ones 😉)
Day 3: Still going strong but Jeff decided to bite the bullet and join the sexy bald guy club in his own terms!
My personal goal for my first ever Hopspittle stay:
Jeff was exhausted today. We're not sure if it was 'just' sleep deprivation because he had a fever overnight and was being checked on a lot or if it's the chemo catching up to him.
He did have a nice 'shot in the arm' this afternoon with a video chat with Katie, the dogs, and a cute little 8-year-old boy.
Prayers for better sleep!
Tomorrow is a new day!
Journal Entry by Jeff Howard — June 14, 2021
All seriousness aside, today is a better day. Feeling better, moving better, frequently awake. What's not to love? The Doc and nurses say that my numbers are looking good, going where they need to be. Yesterday they were at the verge of the target range so we're making good progress.
And just in case it matters, I estimate my current allowed living space is about 200 sq feet semi-private and another roughly 1900 sq feet 'public' space. Lots of time here to pace things off and calculate to fight off the boredom!
This afternoon he finally decided to break into the Legos to occupy his mind for a couple of hours (courtesy of Kate and Luke).
Thank you all for your continued prayers!
