Weekend Update Friday January 29

Hard to believe it is almost February!  Jim, Emma and I head up to Bowdoin today to visit Joseph and watch tomorrow's track meet.  Joe has kicked off his season in impressive fashion.  Emma and I are also quite excited to be staying in Freeport the outlet capital of New England!  Despite Guinness silent pleas he is staying home and will be in the care of our dear friends Scott and Karen.  Emma joins her school at St Michaels on Sunday to kick off Catholic School week.  She is looking forward to doing a reading at Mass.  My Mom went home on Thursday after a wonderful and extremely helpful visit.  It was a busy clinic week for me and great to have her support.  Kate comes in Tuesday and is here until Saturday.

Medical Update:  Dr. Avigan outlined my treatment options again yesterday (Thursday 1/28).  One interesting option (again a clinical trial)  is a gene therapy that targets the gene that produces leukemia.  The treatment, given via IV, runs for a 21 day course.  I'll be in the clinic 15 'work' days getting treatments for 3 mon thru fri cycles with the weekends off in between.  After 21 days we will see how the treatment is working and decide if another course makes sense.  During this time I will still be getting platelets and blood as needed.

Jim and I meet with Dr Avigan and team on Monday to get some of our final questions answered but most likely will start this treatment Monday.  The side effects are minimal and the lab results are promising.  Will let you know what happens next week .

Thanks for checking in and keeping us in your prayers

Love Maureen