History

Journal History

Wednesday February 6, 2002 7:29 PM CST

Well, It has been nearly 4 years since Rich was diagnosed with Pre B ALL. He was on protocol ccg 1961 arm B for 3 years and 3 months, nearly all of high school. He is now in college at Ashland University in Ohio. He is studying to be a high school teacher with a concentration in Math and Chemistry. This year he has a room to himself and he is looking at ways (like being an RA) to maybe keep a room to himself. He has made many friends at college and has found that he studies best with a small study group. Freshman English and Communication were a challenge and Calaculus is difficult, but all in all, academics are going well. He is active in Fellowship of Christian athletes and is hoping to work at a Christian sport camp this summer. He still goes for monthly check ups at the hospital, consisting of physicals and blood tests.

Sunday, February 25, 2001 at 07:09 PM (CST)

Finally figured out how to sign in again and add an update. Rich is feeling pretty well, although the continued chemo and especially monthly pulses are taking their toll. Tomorrow is Rich's 3 year anniversary date and it has been a long haul-most of high school. He does seem to show more signs of fatigue and lower energy as the months have gone on, but still is able to do all he wants. Just takes naps once in a while. He has been playing intermural basketball and will soon start CYO volleyball. He was able to ski nearly all day last week with a few rest stops. We have noticed these last 6 mos. they have been increasing his chemo a bit every time we go: either 6mp or methotrexate. He is on more than 100% chemo for his body mass at this time. Currently he is looking forward to attending college in the fall- a small liberal arts college about 45 min. from home. Plans are to live in the dorms and major in education. He is finishing high school with a 3.9 average, about 39th in a class of 290 and has recieved an academic scholarship from this college. So he should graduate June 10th, finish chemo June 12th and head to Myrtle beach for a senior trip June 16. Our family will be going on a mission trip to Appalachia at the end of June and somehow Rich wants to get a job before college starts in August.

Wednesday, December 27, 2000 at 05:55 PM (CST)

Richard was diagnosed with Pre B ALL on February 26, 1998 about a month after some odd cells showed up on a blood test. His initial symptoms followed a concusion which he incurred at a school dance and it was thought that the symptoms were related to his head injury. Rich was 15, a freshman, at the time of his diagnosis. He had headaches, was very pale for about two weeks and had three nights of horrible sweating. His hemoglobin had been OK the month before as had all his blood tests other than some "atypical" white cells, so we know that the leukemia was just starting when he hit his head and it was agressive. Rich spent 6 days in the hospital, starting on CCG protocol 1961 his 2nd day in. The nurses and his oncologist have been wonderful on this long journey. Full of compassion and understanding the needs of a high school boy to participate with friends and engage in activities.
Rich is a rapid responder, high risk, with normal ploidy number, but some atypical chromosomal breaks. He had a low initial WBC and slightly enlarged spleen on diagnosis. He has had one hospitalization 1 year after diagnosis for high fevers, one relapse scare after 6 mos. of maintenance following three weeks of ANC of 0, despite chemo stoppage-the BMA was clear, and shingles.
Rich was randomized to arm B which is normal strength, but with an additional delayed intensification round.
He has had many chemo stoppages for low counts throughout his heavy chemo period. Rich missed school from the end of Feb 1998 through the end of May 1998. He was tutored by the high school teachers during that time and has been able to maintain a good grade point average throughout his high school career. He missed about 6 weeks in the delayed intesification periods and 1 week due to illness his sophomore year and has primarily missed school during his Junior and Senior years due to clinic appointments. Rich is now anticipating graduation from high school and the end of treatments in June of 2001.
Some highlights from this time:
Playing soccer and making the varsity team his senior year.
Going to lots of dances
Getting as many helium balloons as he could.
Painting his whole head red at the high school girls game for the state play offs.
Mission trips to Steubenville and Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Getting a drivers license in between delayed intesification periods.
End of consolidation/induction party-a great pig roast.

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