Bad News

Friends and Family:

We have had devastating news.  Pam has been diagnosed with a form of leukemia.  First things first, we are very lucky, because it is curable. 

Please excuse the impersonality of a blog, but there are so many people I need to communicate with, that this seemed like the easiest way to give all of Pam's family and friends accurate information.  I'll update the blog regularly, so feel free to bookmark this site and view it as often as you would like.

So, here is the story:  Pam started feeling rundown and had a very sore throat and gums on July 1st.  She went into her doctor on July 3rd and was told that it looked like it may just be seasonal allergies, and she would need to take some Allegra.  We went to the Oregon Coast for the Fourth of July holiday, but she continued to feel worse.

By July 5th, she was feeling much worse and her gums and neck glands were extremely swollen, so we went to a local urgent care clinic.  She was diagnosed with a sinus infection and prescribed anti-biotics.

Still no better, so she returned to her local doctor's office the following week and her anti-biotic dosage was increased.

Still no better by Thursday, July 19th, so, so she returned to her doctor again.  The anti-biotic was switched, and, almost as an afterthought, her doctor drew some blood. At about 7:45 PM, her doctor called and said that the blood tests were very abnormal, and we needed to go to a hospital emergency room "right away".

We immedately went to the ER, more blood was drawn to confirm the results, and she was admitted.  Since that time, she has gone through a bunch of tests confirming a diagnosis of Acute Myeloid Luekemia.

This is a treatable form of leukemia.  The rapid onset is one of the characteristics of the disease.  We are very lucky in many ways, because left untreated, the prognosis is certain.  Right now, Pam is getting some more tests and taking Allopurinol in preparation for the chemotherapy.

Her chemo begins tomorrow, Sunday, July 22nd.  Since the chemo will affect her immune system, she will have a high risk of infection.  She will also have a lot of fatigue, so please call me at 425 223 3385 beforehand if you would like to visit her in the hospital.

Considering everything, Pam is in good spirits.  As you all know, she is a trooper and she is an inspiration to me.

Your kind thoughts, and prayers if you are so inclined, are always appreciated.

Jerry