Hi All,
Here are the latest updates for Detlef. Yesterday Detlef had the lumbar puncture/spinal tap, where they took out some of his spinal fluid to check for cancer cells. As part of this process, they also injected some chemotherapy medications to help kill any cancer cells that might be there, or might be considering going there. We haven't received any word on the results of the spinal tap to know for sure if there are any cancer cells in the spinal fluid. Detlef did tolerate the procedure very well, and was surprised at how easy it went. After the painful experience of having some bone marrow removed from his hip, he was a little nervous, but he was relieved that it wasn't a big deal in comparison.
Detlef is still on antibiotics for the infection that he has, and occasionally has fevers off and on. When he is feverish, he feels terrible, and when the fevers are under control he has a better day. Because of the fact that he is on antibiotics, the doctors don't plan on letting him go home, any time soon. He may end up being in the hospital until after his second round of chemo, which should start around January 27th, if everything goes as planned and his immune system is strong enough. He is finishing up his first round of chemo this week, and so his body will have some time to get ready for the next round. Part of his chemotherapy regimen is taking oral steroids, which can make your blood glucose rise. Because of this, he is occasionally getting some injections of insulin to help with this problem.
Karma sounded better today. She had Monday off because of the MLK holiday and she was able to rest. It is amazing how exhausting it is having someone you love in the hospital. It is hard to sleep and rest when your schedule and emotions are a mess.
Karma saw Detlef today, and said that he was feeling well enough to get some work done. I texted Detlef earlier, and his response was, "Today's great. I'll send a more detailed report later." I think we will all take "great", won't we?
Jennifer has been staying involved in the medical side of things, and continues to read more about ALL, and is checking out chat rooms, and many different web sites. She is also following his lab tests and talking with doctor's as needed.
Dietmar and Jennifer have worked hard getting Detlef's apartment cleared out, and moved, which is an amazing feat, in the middle of all of this. Dietmar has spent a lot of time keeping things real with Detlef, and making everyone laugh. Detlef's friend Quin and his wife Shelly, have been great too. Some of the posted pictures show Quin and Shelly with Detlef, Dietmar and Jennifer.
I spoke with Karma today about the process for getting tested to be potential bone marrow donor matches for Detlef. She is going to get a little more information for me to post later. Someone told her that the cost of getting on the donor registry is about $100.00 per person. She has a friend, Vicki, who might be putting together some kind of fund raiser to help with this cost. Stay tuned to learn more about it as information becomes available. Dietmar has been tested, but we don't know if he is a match yet.
As always, all of the Grimm family is grateful for great amount of love and support shown them by so many people. There are many people who have helped and supported them through acts of kindness, expressions of concern, cards and letters, meals, caring for the dogs, and numerous other things. Thank you all so very much! Let's all keep our positive thoughts and prayers going out everyday for Detlef. The thing that we all need to remember is that this is a marathon, not a sprint. We want this to be a long process, because that will mean that Detlef is staying the course. The important thing for all of us is to remember that it is a marathon. Our individual lives will continue to go on, but Detlef will still be running . . . . . . we need to continue to be his support!
Love you all,
Lisa
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