Friday 23rd August

Apologies if this takes a while to get around, dad’s away this week so the normal distribution method is not in place.

Adam had a consult this Tuesday with the prof and we got the results of the initial test on his bone marrow aspirate from last week, this test showed no bad cells which is excellent news, we hope to get the results of the detailed chromosome test next week and if this too is clear then we can once again breathe a small sigh of relief for a while.

The prof was quite surprised and he said that they are not sure exactly what has done the trick but he thinks it is the Rituximub antibody treatment and so they will review the ongoing treatment next week.

It’s a fine balance between increasing the dosage of the drugs which has a detrimental effect on his bone marrows production of normal cells such as platelets and ensuring that a high enough dose is given to keep the disease at bay.

In addition, we are keen to use any window of opportunity whilst his marrow is normal to try and get some further healing on his exposed heel bone to his right foot. The hyperbaric oxygen option is still being considered but at £20k or more one gets the feeling that cost may be an issue for the health trust. Other possible new options are to use a platelet rich compound that uses donor platelets in high concentration applied to the wound to try and stimulate the growth of new tissue.

It’s all complex and a very finely balanced situation. But for now at least, his focus is on planning for his birthday so his mind is focused!

Our thoughts go out to Dan, Karen and Kay at the moment, Dan’s dad passed away yesterday, he and Kay managed their dream of giving up on the rat race, moving to Australia and living the life they wanted, how many of us truly get to do that I wonder? John.. good on ya mate! We’ll chuck another shrimp on the barbie for you…..


Love to all.

update thursday 16th august

And this time we waited till the docs said we could go!

Adam was discharged yesterday, there has been a bunch of activity over the past week or so, not least because we found that he had contracted MRSA in his foot whilst in hospital!

He came off the I/V antibiotics on Tuesday and had a bone marrow aspirate taken yesterday before we left, there results of the aspirate will determine how he is doing with the disease. Fingers are crossed all over the place as you imagine!

Watch this space………….


Love to all

Colin

gis a beer

Adam asked to leave hospital on Wednesday last week as he was bored and fed up; the docs were reluctant as they felt he should have had a day in after the IV antibiotics stopped to allow for some observation.

He had a pretty good day Thursday and went out with a mate for a drive, whilst stopped in a car park they watched a guy who was clearly high on drugs dancing like a loon, he come over to them and spoke for a moment before swinging his carrier bag with 6 cans of beer in it straight into Adams face and then running off.

So Adam looks like he’s done ten rounds with a boxer and his modelling days may be numbered, some people do get it hard!

His facebook entry says, ‘Adam is bruised and recovering from a face full of Stella – Literally!’ he doesn’t want a fuss made over it though.

His foot got progressively worse over the weekend and he has been in a lot of pain with it, we decided this morning that although he didn’t have a temperature, he should go into UCH for further treatment.

So back in for a few days, this time we might wait till the docs say he can go…. And as I write a have just received a text from Pauline to say that he spiked a temperature at 7.30 this evening so the infection is trying to take hold

On the subject of his heel which has gone backwards significantly since his chemo, I had a long talk with his foot doctor this week and we have been trying to find creative ways to grow new tissue in a guy who has no bone marrow, there is a possibility that if we can get it funded he may be able to use the hyperbaric oxygen chamber in London that is used to treat divers with the bends, apparently the increased rich oxygen that is forced into the blood can increase the quantity of a particular type of cell that he needs to start the repair process.

Watch this space

Love to all

Colin