| <Return |
| August 29, 2007 |
| I reported
to the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center on Monday, August
27, 2007.
I came to M. D. Anderson for the purpose of exploring the possibility of a stem cell or bone marrow transplant. I met with the doctor who will perform the procedure and I am very impressed with him. They must first address the leukemia problem and the doctor referred me to an attending physician in the Leukemia Department. I had a bone marrow biopsy on August 28, 2007 and I will be admitted into M. D. Anderson for chemotherapy treatment as an inpatient and I will remain in the Houston area for an additional 25-days to be monitored. Another bone marrow biopsy will be performed at that time. |
Bye for now,
|
| July 9, 2007 |
| Dear Friends, |
I returned to the Stanford Cancer Research Center on Monday, June 25,
2007 to begin the second cycle of chemotherapy treatment (the first of
two consolidation treatments.)
The chemotherapy was completed on Sunday, July 1, 2007 around midnight and I completed the treatment with no discomfort whatsoever. Blood was drawn a few times a day and I was not required to have any transfusions. I was discharged on Monday, July 2, 2007. I had blood drawn again on July 3, 2007 and was examined by my treating physician and he indicated that everything was fine and released me. Additionally, I had blood drawn at Ochsner on Friday, July 6, 2007 and it indicated I did not need any transfusions. I am feeling fine and except for the initial loss of hair I have tolerated the chemotherapy both times with no discomfort whatsoever. I am scheduled to return to Stanford the first week of August for the third and final chemotherapy treatment. |
Bye for now,
|
| June 26, 2007 |
| Dear Friends, |
I returned to the Stanford Cancer Center for the second round of chemotherapy
which is in accordance with the clinical trial of the experimental drug
zosuquidar, the drug that may have been responsible for my good fortune
to be declared in remission from the acute myelogenous leukemia that was
discovered on Friday, April 13, 2007. I will probably stay in California
for ten days, return home for thirty days and return to Stanford for ten
more days for the second of the two consolidation treatments.
I was originally discharged from the Stanford Cancer Center on May 25, 2007 and my white blood cells have reproduced so satisfactorily that I was not required to wear a mask to fight off the airborne germs. They drew blood from me on May 26, May 28, May 30, and June 2, 2007 at Stanford and I was not in need of a transfusion. Additionally, blood was drawn at Ochsner on June 6, June 13 and June 20, 2007 and I have not been told that I have a problem. I feel very good and the only repercussion I have had from the chemotherapy was the loss of most of my hair. I am taking bets as to whether my hair will grow back black or white (the doctors are in complete agreement with me that it will not grow back curly!) Although I had the best medical advice available and a positive attitude in regard to my illness, I and many of my friends are convinced that the cause of the remission is the power of prayer! Thank you for your concern and prayers. I am looking forward to my re-election in October and I am hoping I have the opportunity to serve you for four more years. On April 2, 2008 I will be the longest serving Sheriff in the history of Jefferson Parish. |
Bye for now,
|
| June 12, 2007 |
| Dear Friends, |
I was discharged from
the Stanford Cancer Treatment Center on Friday, May 25, 2007. My white blood cells had built up so much that I no longer needed to wear a mask to protect myself from airborne germs. Additionally, I was not on any type of restricted diet. They drew blood on May 26th, 28th, 30th and June 1, 2007 at Stanford and they found that my red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets were okay and I was not in need of a transfusion. On May 30, 2007, they did a bone marrow biopsy and on Friday, June 1, 2007 they declared I was in remission (no signs or symptoms of the cancer). Since returning home I have had the bandage changed on my PICC Line and had it flushed both times. They drew blood from me at Ochsner on Thursday, June 7, 2007 and Friday they again told me that I do not need a transfusion. I will be returning to Stanford on June 25, 2007 for the first of two consolidation treatments where they will do chemotherapy a second and third time for short periods. |
Bye for now,
|
| Friday, June 1, 2007 |
| Hi Everyone, |
The
doctor just advised me that the bone marrow biopsy taken on Wednesday,
May 30, 2007 indicated
that I am in remission. |
| I will return home on Saturday, June 2, 2007. |
Bye for now,
|
| Thursday, May 24, 2007 |
| Hi Everyone, |
| The doctor just left
and he told me I am responding so well that they are going to discharge
me from the hospital tomorrow. I am still waiting for my blood count
to get up to where they will do another bone marrow test. My plan now is to go to an apartment and stay there for a while. The doctor said I could actually come back home, but if the blood count is up I have to come back almost immediately so I will stay here until we do the second bone marrow test. Depending on the results of that test, the doctor will advise me what my options are. They told me that when I leave the hospital I am in such good shape I won’t have to wear the mask and I will not be on a restricted diet. |
Bye for now,
|
| Friday, May 18, 2007 |
| Hi Everyone, |
|
The doctor just left and told me that the induction phase of the chemotherapy has been successful. The bone marrow biopsy taken on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 indicates that my bone marrow is empty. Of course, I was happy to learn that the chemotherapy worked. This morning my blood pressure was 125 / 75. Except for a slight sore throat, I have had no reaction whatsoever from the chemotherapy. A few days ago, I noticed some extra hair in my comb, but this morning I did not. I want to again express my appreciation for all the people who are concerned and praying for me. Bye for now,
|
| Thursday, May 10, 2007 |
|
Hi Everyone, My blood pressure at 1:00 PM today was 129 / 77. I am tolerating the chemotherapy with remarkable ease and have had no difficulty whatsoever, except for the last two nights I did not fall asleep until about 2 o’clock in the morning. That really isn’t a big thing because I can sleep during the day if necessary, but I am too hopped up and energetic to sleep during the day. The one thing I noticed is that my appetite has changed. I am actually enjoying the hospital food, including peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, the tuna fish sandwich I just finished and boiled egg sandwiches. All my life I have been a meat and potatoes man and I find I am eating a lot healthier now. I am on my last bag of chemotherapy today and I will be off of everything for seven days. They will do a bone marrow biopsy a week from today to see what progress, if any, I have made. The plan is for me to stay here for thirty days, come home for thirty days, return to Stanford for ten days, return home for thirty days and come back to Stanford for ten more days to complete this experimental study in which I was very fortunate to be enrolled. I am reading a lot of books, watching CNN news all the time and I just started looking at the series “24” that Johnny Fortunato gave to me. Thank you again for keeping me in your thoughts and prayers and I will see everyone in three weeks. Bye for now,
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