Jeremy's Illness

Jeremy was diagnosed September 3 with Stage 1 chronic myeloid leukemia. As the Medically Ignorant Sister, here's my glossary of his illness.

Stage 1: Best out of four stages - it was caught early enough to treat with the best chance for a good outcome

Chronic: Better than the alternative, acute. Melanie the LPN told me why acute is worse but I forgot. I think it's more advanced or more serious or something.

Here's more from About.com (which I love):

What Is Chronic Myeloid Leukemia?
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) is a cancer of the blood cells in the blood and bone marrow. CML develops from an acquired genetic abnormality.

During cell division some of the DNA from chromosome 9 is transferred to chromosome 22. This change is called the Philadelphia Chromosome. When this abnormality occurs, the body signals to many stem cells to develop into a type of white blood cell, called a granulocyte. Some of these granulocytes never mature. The immature granulocytes are called blasts.

As the cancerous granulocytes and blasts multiply in the blood and bone marrow, fewer healthy white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets are produced.

It seems that in Jeremy's case, it may have been just a matter of time before he developed the disease. It's nothing that was passed down from an earlier generation, nothing that could have been caused or prevented. It was just Jeremy's DNA.

We're all starting to be very grateful for a serious car accident that Jeremy was in a few years ago. It messed up his foot to the point that it still hasn't healed and requires more surgery. It was during a pre-operative appointment that the doctor found the abnormally high white blood cell count. If the accident had never happened, Jeremy's leukemia might not have manifested itself until it was much farther advanced, and then harder to treat. You just never can tell what the future holds, can you?

Jeremy started chemotherapy September 4. I pray it will "work." I'm sure he'd appreciate the prayers of anyone who'd like to offer them. Thanks in advance.

Home Again

Jer is doing OK. His doctor said his tests will be back Wednesday, September 3.

Ernie came over Sunday night and we all watched the slide show of old pictures on Neenaw's computer. Yeah - exciting - but fun.

Neenaw signed away her house yesterday. We went to see BC and Tawnee and Kiley and Zane and the mutts and the chickens and turkeys. Tawnee cut Neenaw's hair.

Dad and I had a really good time - lots of joking around. I went to his ward in Kennewick and saw old 5th Ward residents, Pauline Hatch and the Pattillos. Pauline was so sweet - she told me Sheree lives in Beaverton and teaches school. I hope I get to see her sometime.

Neenaw's house should be empty as of today. Mission accomplished... now back to real life. Six days till school starts!!

Old pictures I scanned at Neenaw's this time:
BC and me, 1971

Our family, 1972-ish, in our apartment in Eugene, Oregon

Our family outside the Oakland Temple, February 1974, when we were sealed

Dad and me in May 1978 at the Azalea Festival in Brookings, Oregon. I was a junior princess.

Jeremy and me, 1981

BC in 5th grade at Azalea Middle School - 1981

Melanie, age two

Jeremy, I'm guessing around age 3

Wish It Was Better News

Jeremy and me, Christmas 1990

Mom called me today shortly after 1:00 to tell me that she was on her way to see Jeremy in Tri-Cities. He's been waiting to have his last surgery on his foot, which he injured a few years ago in a car accident. It hasn't healed well and this next surgery was supposed to finally fix it.

While at the doctor's office today, he found out he "probably" has leukemia. Apparently his white blood cell count points that way. I could kill his doctor for being so vague - you either have it, or you don't - it seems cruel to say "maybe" and make the patient and his family suffer. Melanie (the new nurse) says if it wasn't probably true, the doctor wouldn't have mentioned it. Bri thinks that with malpractice lawsuits happening as often as they do, doctors can't be too careful when they're giving out information like this, which is why he couldn't give Jeremy a very straight answer. More tests are necessary to determine the kind of leukemia he might have and how to treat it.

I'm leaving Thursday night on the train to spend a week in Tri-Cities and do whatever with my family. Neenaw sold her condominium and must be out by the 29th, and John and Karen and Jen are already there trying to get things ready for her move. I thought I could help with that and then, I don't know, just be moral support or something for Jeremy. We always have a good time together - maybe we can play some Mad Libs and forget about it for a while.

I love him so much and hate to think of anything bad happening to him. Your prayers and good thoughts are more than welcome.

Reunion Part II

Chow Time 2: Stacy, Rachael talking to Tawnee, Becky, Rosalind, Demeter and half of Neenaw.

Uncle John feeding his face; Dad in the background.

Laila, Carter and Roz.

Bella (wearing my stolen-from-Bri sheriff sweatshirt) and Carter. Looks a little smoky.

Ernie taking a snooze

Melanie and Dad. Cheeeese!

Here's a good shot of our scabbed-up kid in our stuffed-to-the-gills van. We took a trip to Union for some supplies - I also snuck in a visit to the cemetery and grabbed some pictures. Obsessed much? (Roz saw this picture and laughed, "I'm so fat!")

Brennan and Bella at the picnic table. Did we miss our Bella while she was in Utah? You bet we did.

Bri and Carter. This is an important moment in history: Bri is voluntarily holding a Mad Libs book. Look at that - it's even OPEN. And you were here to witness it.

Jetta and Jeremy

BC and Dad chatting it up

Chef Karen

Rosalind, Camrynn, Demeter, Berkli, Carter: The Next Generation

Mr. Carter hanging out next to the playpen, his favorite spot. He's loved babies ever since Roz was born - he likes their hair. He used to say to us about Roz, "I want to pet her head." He loved holding all the babies this weekend. They were pretty good sports about it.

Brook, Paisli and Xanden. The blow-up pool worked great as a playpen. The four babies spent much of the weekend playing in it.