Pierce Update #12 (and mail update)
Hello!
Most of you know that since my last update in July, Mom was able to get out of the hospital and continue her treatment as an outpatient. Over that time things have largely been well and progressing positively. While out she has gotten two rounds of lighter chemotherapy with the goal of reducing her “blasts” to receive the bone marrow transplant.
To receive a bone marrow transplant, peripheral blasts (in the bloodstream) have to be 0, and the blasts in the marrow (where blood is made) have to be less than 5%. A few months ago she was within those parameters but because of her needing physical therapy, the transplant had to wait. One of her recent updated indicated that her blasts had been in the 40% to nearly 60% range, however in the last week the peripheral blasts have dropped back to between 1% and 5%, a good indication that the chemo is managing it.
Last Thursday an infection in her leg had her readmitted for the first time in almost two months, the longest she’d been out of the hospital since her health problems started in February. Within a day the infection began clearing up, but they discovered she had “walking pneumonia.” While not usually as serious as the previous two kinds of pneumonia she had, they moved her to the ICU due to breathing issues she was having. She’s since been moved back to a leukemia floor with a great view (which she loves), and is progressing well again. I have the impression from the Doctors that if things continue as they are she’ll likely be out again within a week. She will be receiving her next round of chemo before she’s out.
During the two months out, and no doubt again soon, she has had the opportunity to enjoy Houston and live life as she would at home. Her physical strength is remarkably better, which allowed her to go to an Astros V. Braves game, and to the Terra Cotta Army exhibit at the Museum of Natural History, among other things.
We remain optimistic in the face of it all, and regardless of outcome still believe that coming here was the right decision. It’s sometimes hard to put into perspective that we’ve been here nearly four and a half months. Houston has been good to us, but I know I speak for us both when I say we look forward to being home again.
Finally, I do want to say that if you have mail to send, feel free to mail it to her home address. For now, it will be forwarded here. That address if you don’t have it, is:
Joellen Cook
541 Coldstream Drive
Columbia, SC 29212
She sends her thanks and love, and we hope you all are well.
Best,
Pierce