Chemo Failed to Beat Back Leukemia
This is a message from Mike. It is with a very heavy heart, and with much reluctance that I write this. However, Bonnie, in typical lucid and calm fashion, requested that I post just the facts.
Wednesday, Aug 1, we got the results back from a Bone Marrow Biopsy. The chemo failed to suppress the Leukemia. The bone marrow sample was comprised of 100% Leukemia cells. In light of that, it is a virtual certainty that the white blood cells will not come back in sufficient numbers to bring Bonnie out of a neutropenic state or to mount any meaningful attack on the pneumonia in Bonnie's lungs. In the absence of those white blood cells, the pneumonia (which is a fungal type) will not likely subside, and will very likely only continue to advance.
The UCSF team estimates that Bonnie has 1 - 2 weeks to live. (It could be longer -- maybe as many as 4 weeks -- but, that is a much lower probability).
We are now focusing on managing the pain caused by the pneumonia, while also trying to maximize her remaining quality time (i.e. reasonable lucidity for Bonnie during our new schedule of daily visits from the girls). We considered having Bonnie come home; but, ultimately decided against that due to the difficulties of in-home management and administration of 1) pain medications, 2) the anti-fungal and other antibiotic medications, and 3) transfusions of red blood cells, platelets, and other IV solutions and meds.
Bonnie will remain at UCSF, 11th floor Long. She was just moved to a new room with a much better view of the SF Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
As in the recent past, to contact Bonnie via the UC email system, click here. Or, you can go to www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/contact/patient.html. You can also send a fax to (415) 353 1851 (just put Bonnie Tonneson: 11-Long on the fax).
Sincerely,
Mike
Wednesday, Aug 1, we got the results back from a Bone Marrow Biopsy. The chemo failed to suppress the Leukemia. The bone marrow sample was comprised of 100% Leukemia cells. In light of that, it is a virtual certainty that the white blood cells will not come back in sufficient numbers to bring Bonnie out of a neutropenic state or to mount any meaningful attack on the pneumonia in Bonnie's lungs. In the absence of those white blood cells, the pneumonia (which is a fungal type) will not likely subside, and will very likely only continue to advance.
The UCSF team estimates that Bonnie has 1 - 2 weeks to live. (It could be longer -- maybe as many as 4 weeks -- but, that is a much lower probability).
We are now focusing on managing the pain caused by the pneumonia, while also trying to maximize her remaining quality time (i.e. reasonable lucidity for Bonnie during our new schedule of daily visits from the girls). We considered having Bonnie come home; but, ultimately decided against that due to the difficulties of in-home management and administration of 1) pain medications, 2) the anti-fungal and other antibiotic medications, and 3) transfusions of red blood cells, platelets, and other IV solutions and meds.
Bonnie will remain at UCSF, 11th floor Long. She was just moved to a new room with a much better view of the SF Bay and the Golden Gate Bridge.
As in the recent past, to contact Bonnie via the UC email system, click here. Or, you can go to www.ucsfhealth.org/adult/contact/patient.html. You can also send a fax to (415) 353 1851 (just put Bonnie Tonneson: 11-Long on the fax).
Sincerely,
Mike
posted by gbiddle616 at Thursday, August 02, 2007
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