So....it's been a month since I last updated. Jimmy and I went to see Prof Novitzky on the 5th of October for his follow up appointment where we were also getting the results of his latest bone marrow biopsy. I cannot tell you how nervous I was about these results and of course they were due 2 days before my Mom and I left for Europe. But the news was good. Jimmy's cancer burden is still somewhere under 5% which is classed as remission. Prof was also able to confirm again that Jimmy's body is definitely still producing platelets which was also very good to hear. We discussed at length the removal of Jimmy's spleen too. We have decided to sit this procedure out as long as possible until all avenues have been exhausted. Prof explained that there is 95% success rate when having a Splenectomy. The spleen is our largest auto-immune organ in our body and once it is removed the bone marrow automatically produces more platelets to make up for the fact that there is no spleen. Not having a spleen is alright for you and me, it is quite common to have it removed after a eg a motor vehicle accident and the person can live a normal life. But Prof is concerned that we will have problems when Jimmy comes out of remission without a spleen. He will be very susceptible to infection and will have to have various vaccines on a yearly basis to help prevent contracting contagious illnesses etc. So our next step in the process has been to drop the cortisone level further to 6 tablets a day and Jimmy is now also taking Azamun 3 times a day. Jimmy has his bloods done every 2 weeks to monitor any changes in his platelets and Prof will increase/decrease the various meds accordingly.
Jimmy had his bloods taken on Friday and after 2 weeks of the reduced cortisone and the addition of Azamun his platelets have dropped further. As we have not heard from Prof with regard to any changes in medication, I am presuming he will discuss this at our next monthly appointment which I think is at the end of this month. Jimmy's white blood cell count has also dropped slightly and now sitting on the minimum of the normal range.
This is a very long, frustrating road and most of the time the process trial and error and we just have to be patient. Prof also changed his mind about Jimmy being allowed to travel to Japan on business but we have to keep counting our blessings....Jimmy is well and still in remission.
Matric prelims and dance as well as school holidays have come and gone. Loren starts writing her final matric examinations on Monday. Matric dance day was very special and Loren looked so beautiful.... I am such a proud Mom!
 |
| Just like a princess |
 |
| The most dashing young men |
 |
| And off they go |
 |
| Dylan and Loren....special friends |
Something else that has come and gone far too quickly was our trip to Europe. My Mom and I left on Wednesday the 7th and spent our first two nights in Venice. There are no just words to explain the beauty of Venice. We travelled by Allilaguna (the water taxi) from the mestre (main land) to Venice which was the most beautiful trip right up the Grande Canal...what an introduction to Venice. We stayed near Piazze De San Marco. We then spend 7 nights on the Norwegian Jade with Megan. It was fantastic to spend time with her and see where she works and meet your bosses and colleagues and her boyfriend Cosmin. We visited Dubrovnik - Croatia, Athens - Greece, Kusadasi - Turkey and Split - Croatia. We visited the Acropolis in Athens and Ephesus in Turkey...I must have taken over a thousand photos. Once back in Venice we spent another 2 days in the Cannaregio district.
 |
| Piazze De San Marco |
 |
| Our hotel above the shops |
 |
| Stunning buildings along the Grande Canal |
 |
| View of Dubrovnik from the top of the cable way |
 |
| Cosmin and Megan walking through the old town of Dubrovnik |
 |
| The Norwegian Jade in port at Dubrovnik |
 |
| The Acropolis in Athens |
 |
| In the port at Kusadasi, Turkey |
 |
| Ephesis in Turkey |
 |
| Shopping and lunch at the markets in Turkey |
 |
| A market in an old church in Split, Croatia |
 |
| Murano Island, Venice which we visited and saw how they make glass jewellery |
 |
| Dinner in the Cannaregio district of Venice |
 |
| Beautiful Venice |
2 comments:
hey Vivienne, fantastic news, so glad to hear young James is keeping well... Celeste will be visiting SA early next year - would be great if she could give you a shout when she's there for a catch-up with you and Jimmy, will let you know closer to the time, if that's OK...
That would be great! Don't forget to get in touch before she leaves
xx
Post a Comment