Rituxan

This bag here --

Is Rituxan  --  Rituxan is a monoclonal antibody -

how it works is:

it attaches to the CD20 protein on cancer cells -

once it attaches to the cells,

 it brings other immune cells to help kill the cancer cells.

Oh Emery - be careful -- don't drop that - it's very expensive -- let's see -

 any guesses how much this one bag is?

a little over -- $10,000

He gets this each time before he gets chemo --

It takes 3 to 4 hours to get it -- but wow! 

Here's Emery and Maynard -- out for a walk.

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We have talked about how much we have to be thankful for --

good jobs and insurance are two of the things

that we are very thankful for today.

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Wishing you many blessings today!  Thanks for checking in on us!

Round 2 - Day 3

I just talked to Emery.  He is back at the Roger Maris just starting his infusion - at 8:00AM -

Yesterday he got to Fargo at 3:00 and was done by 5:15 - everything went well.  He said he feels pretty good still -- he's ready to head straight home when he's done today -- hoping to finish off the day at school and go to basketball practice -- it feels like we've been gone so long!

The sun is shining and the roads are good - so he should be able to make it home fine.  Tomorrow he needs to be in Jamestown for his Neulasta shot - but we start basketball tournaments there - so it will work out great!  --

Back to the Norm

Just thought I'd pop in today to let you know how things are going.  Emery has been feeling "flu like" this week, and continues to feel that way today.  We are hoping that this will end soon - and he'll get some energy back quickly.  He is getting up and going to school and teaching all day - and not happy when the dog wakes him up in the middle of the night!  He did coach basketball last night - his JV girls didn't quite pull off their game, but the varsity girls won!  Ya, Jessa!  -- Looking forward to having a night without anything going on to just sit down and relax.

"I have heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I've bought a big bat. I'm all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me! — Dr. Seuss

What is CLL?

This is going to be an informational post -- (boring to some) - so if I'm losing you.... no, don't go...........

ok - those of you who are still with me.

What is CLL?

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made.


The term "chronic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the fact that it typically progresses more slowly than other types of leukemia. The "lymphocytic" in chronic lymphocytic leukemia comes from the cells affected by the disease — a group of white blood cells called lymphocytes, which help your body fight infection.

Doctors aren't certain what starts the process that causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia. Doctors know that something happens in order to cause a genetic mutation in the DNA of blood-producing cells. This mutation causes the blood cells to produce abnormal, ineffective lymphocytes — one type of white blood cell that helps your body fight infection.


Beyond being ineffective, these abnormal lymphocytes continue to live, when other cells would die. The abnormal lymphocytes begin accumulating in the blood and certain organs, where they cause complications. They may crowd healthy cells out of the bone marrow and interfere with normal blood cell production.

Doctors and researchers are working to understand the exact mechanism that causes chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

Factors that may increase the risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia include:


■Your age. Most people diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia are over 50.

■Your sex. Men are more likely than women to develop chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

■Your race. Whites are more likely to develop chronic lymphocytic leukemia than are people of other races.

■Family history of blood and bone marrow cancers. A family history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia or other blood and bone marrow cancers may increase your risk.

■Exposure to chemicals. Certain herbicides and insecticides, including Agent Orange used during the Vietnam War, have been linked to an increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia.

(info from the Mayo Clinic website)

So, if you are still with me, you now can feel educated today! 

Round 1 Day 3

Here we are! We made it to Friday! All in all things are going really well! A little blah feeling this morning, but nothing too bad. We are looking forward to going home today.

Yesterday after we broke out of here - we went to eat with Pastor Dallas - and then went shopping. -- Yes, I know - shopping -- and get this, shopping for Emery! -- And he bought a sport coat and 2 pairs of dress pants and two dress shirts and two ties!!!! -- WOW! someday there may be pictures of this -- I know, non of you believe it, but he even said it was pretty painless! Must be the medication! Ha, Ha! --- Oh, and for the record, I didn't buy anything!

Last night we went out to eat with Ross and Juli - (I kind of like this eating out, and visiting with these people) - headed back to our room and crashed.

Next scheduled infusion is Feb 8, 9, 10.

Here's today's picture - I know you miss looking at us!

"The only cure for suffering is to face it head on, grasp it around the neck, and use it." Mary Craig

Today's the Day

Edited to add - - we are still sitting at Roger Maris -- a small reaction this morning -- so we got behind about an hour or so -- we will be out of here about 5:30 and back tomorrow at 8:30 -- I will post more then!

We are sitting in our room at the Roger Maris Cancer Center - the infusion has begun - everyone is so kind and professional - -

Emery first got Tylenol and than Benedryl in his IV - and now is getting Rituxan

Rituxan is a monoclonal antibody - how it works is: that is attaches to the CD20 protein on cancer cells - once it attaches to the cells, it brings other immune cells to help kill the cancer cells. - this infusion will take around 4 hours (it's 11:00AM right now)

Cytoxan - is one of the chemo drugs that he will be getting after that -- and then Fludara another chemo drug - (these two drugs will also be given on Thursday & Friday)

Saturday - Em will need to go to Jamestown to get a shot of Neulasta - - This stimulates the body's bone marrow to make more neutrophils - which are a type of white blood cells that help fight infections. This shot will be given after each round of treatment.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.

when you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.

when you walk through the fire, you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

Since you are precious and honored in my sight and because I love you.......

Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:2,4,5

There's a date

Wednesday, Jan 13, is the official chemo starting date. He is in the clinical trial thru the Mayo Clinic and will have chemo Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday -- after this we should really know what's going to happen and when and how and what. Til then we keep doing what we're doing.

The Story Behind the Beginning

I'm going to start journaling my husbands cancer journey -- maybe someday I'll even tell someone about it! In Februrary - 2007 - Em was diagnosed with CLL - Cronic Lymphositic Leukemia -- a slow progressing type of cancer -- we were told - after several tests that he had a more aggressive type of this cancer. For the last almost 3 years we have been going to check ups every 3 to 6 months - although the numbers have been increasing - (white blood cells) - he has remained stable. Last week we went for a check-up that included bloodwork - and a CT scan -- from the scan it showed that his spleen is now enlarged - and several small lymph nodes have appeared. His white blood count is over 90,000 and his platlets dropped to 115 -- treatment needs to begin. Tomorrow he goes to Fargo for a bone marrow biopsy - and to find out about his treatment plan -- so I will post after that - and we will let this leg of the journey begin!