Pam's Recovery: Great News and Bacon Dogs

Great News and Disappointing News

I haven't updated this Blog for about a month now. Pam went for a routine checkup about 2 weeks ago. Dr. Holtan had Great News about Pam's recovery, and some disappointing news:

Pam's Daily Meds

Great News: Pam's recovery is going as well as anyone could dare dream. Her numbers all look good. She still has a lot of side effects from all of the medication, but most of the meds will be slowly tapered over the next few months. Dr. Holtan continues to be VERY pleased and said there is an 85-90% chance that Pam's leukemia will never recur. It isn't 100%, but we'll take it!
Disappointing News: Dr. Holtan is moving to Minnesota at the end of the year. We were really disappointed to hear that. As I have written previously, I think Dr. Holtan is brilliant, but she is also one of the sweetest and most pleasant people I have ever met. It is rare to see her without a big smile on her face. (Note to self: smile more, it is important) I am so grateful that Pam was able to have access to the great care she has received at Good Sam and Compass Oncology from Dr. Weinstein and at OHSU from Dr. Holtan and all of the other physicians, nurses and staff over the past 16 months. It has been inspirational.

I have been reflecting about Pam's Journey since all of this started, and wrote a public blog piece to recap it. I hope to do a collection of pieces called Personal Stories About Healthcare.

More Great News

Dr. Holtan gave Pam the OK to drive again, as long as she hasn't had to take medication to calm her tremor. Although we don't drive much, it is really nice for Pam to be able to drive out to see her family, aka the Aloha Mafia.

Even better than that, Pam was able to babysit little Austin this past week. She was on Cloud 9! She came home pretty exhausted and sore, from chasing around a 1 year old, but very happy and chattered on "he is so cute", "boy, he is an active little boy", etc. It was great to see and it is good medicine for Pam.