BRIAN’S HEALTH ISSUES – NOV 10/2011

Well, after such a wonderful vacation that we both enjoyed immensely, we came home with some trepidation as just before we left for vacation, Brian had been having some concerning health issues for which he went to see the family doctor and after quite a few investigations (blood tests, CT, x-rays) we were told that he had enlargement of his spleen and the blood tests were showing some blood irregularities which were indicative of leukemia (cancer of the blood).  Our family doctor called a hematologist/oncologist at the Cancer Clinic in Kitchener and after reviewing the results, she told us that we could still take our vacation since Brian was feeling relatively well and she would see us upon our return.  We went to see her the day after we got back and she was a little concerned that Brian’s spleen was a little larger than 5 weeks ago on the previous CT scan and she also felt that his liver was also somewhat enlarged and she sent him for another CT scan and further blood tests.  Yesterday, we went for a follow-up with the oncologist and she indicated that Brian has low grade non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (not sure what type) which was starting to act aggressively as he now also had enlarged abdominal lymph nodes as well as the liver and spleen.  Usually at this point, they like to “stage” the disease by doing a biopsy of the nodes or liver but she felt that Brian did not have time to wait for a biopsy since the cancer seemed to be acting aggressively and recommended that chemotherapy start immediately. 

The one good piece of news was that the chemotherapy regimen had a 90% success rate meaning that although lymphoma cannot be cured, it can be put in a dormant state or remission.  We then went into information overload and it was a good thing that we had Breanne with us to keep it all straight and organized as I think Brian and I were just a little stunned. 

So starting next Tuesday, Brian starts his chemotherapy.  We have to be at Cancer Clinic at 8:30 when we talk to a pharmacist about all the drugs he will be taking and how they may affect him and then the chemotherapy starts and the first day the infusion will take 8 hours as the drugs are given slowly throughout that 8 hour period, making sure there are no adverse effects.  As long as that goes as planned, he then returns every 3 weeks for a total of 6-8 treatments which will take him into March/April of next year.  Then he should be in remission and I think he then is just followed up and has maintenance therapy every 3-6 months.

Brian and I have decided that we will blog about our experience, not only for our purposes of keeping track of his progress but also for family and friends that follow our blog to know how he is making out.  Brian will occasionally write some of the blogs himself. 

In the meantime, we so appreciate everyone’s concerns and it really means a lot to us that you are all keeping us in your prayers during this time.  I have complete faith in Brian’s ability to fight this cancer and get it in a dormant state so that we can then carry on with our happy life and get back to normal things again!