Final Round?

Dear Ones,
Thank you for all the well wishes.  I wish I had better news for you. 

It's true that John has surprised us all over the years with his strength and resiliency, but it seems that this time, the hurdle is too high for even him.

I met with John's doctors last night, and though the MRI showed no cause for the neurological issues he is exhibiting, (disorientation, inability to speak, and loss of physical control) what it did show was new growth of the leukemia cells in his spinal column (C1 and C2 vertebrae for you who are medically savvy.) The doctor says this form of the disease has no effective treatment.  Rather than continue with the chemo regime he has been on, the doctor is suggesting at this point that we stop curative treatment, which makes him feel sicker, and begin to think about palliative, or hospice care.

He was not able to tell me how much time he has exactly, saying it varies from case to case, but he did say it would likely be a matter of weeks, rather than months, until he was likely to succumb. 

He remains at French Hospital (room 217) and will likely be there at least through the weekend.  We are getting things set up here to bring him home.

He is mostly sleeping, doesn't seem to be in much pain though he complains of occasional headaches.  He has to be coaxed to eat a few bites.  He can manage a few words sometimes but seems frustrated with not being able to express even his most basic needs.  He seems to appreciate visitors but tires quickly so if you go, keep visits short.

His sense of humor still shines through occasionally and he will make a witty comment just when you thought he had dozed off, but I think he is very tired of this battle, and why wouldn't he be?  His doctor feels sure that John would not want him to try to extend his life with heroic means if there is no quality to it.  He told me that John and he had had that discussion many times.

So we are bracing ourselves for this last chapter.  I am really hoping that his mental ability returns, and they say it still might, so that he can have the kinds of conversations I know he wants to have in these last few weeks, and who knows, maybe even squeak out a blog entry or two.  So if you pray, pray for that, and that he remains pain free and will find peace in these last few weeks.

Thank you for following our story and for your support and humor when it was most needed.

We love you all,
Dana

Here is a picture in happier times, in Yosemite, not long before the first diagnosis.