Sue Charen

Three Years

It was three years ago that Sue was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia with Philadelphia Chromosome Positive. Sue called to tell me that her doctor had gotten the blood test back and that she must immediately go to the emergency room because of severe anemia. After receiving a few units of red blood, she was sent to a room in the hospital.

It was walking around the hallway that I saw women pushing their poles with chemo bags with infusion pumps around that I realized that Sue might have cancer. And it was in the lobby the next day that I saw the LLS table with leukemia brochures (Leukemia and Lymphoma Society). I took all of the different ones, dreading, but knowing that there was a chance that Sue...

It was not until the Hematologist came to do the tests and then get the results right before Labor Day 2006, that Sue was diagnosed with ALL. And then about two weeks later with the full diagnosis. By that time, because there was no time to spare, Sue was already two weeks into heavy chemo. Fortunately, there was a new drug that worked well, though only in conjunction with damaging and dangerous treatments and transplant.

Three years out and we look back at the both the hell and also all of the love and help from friends, family, doctors and strangers. Three years out and we are looking ahead too.

Much love,

Daniel

Petty Torments Redux

So far, so good with the Tasigna. Just a little redness in the face, but the first tests went well. We will find out in a couple of weeks whether the Sue is free of the major possible side effects that can come with the new drug.

Unfortunately, Sue must still give blood every three or four weeks to lower her iron levels. And worse yet, there is a nurse that made an inconvenience into an unpleasant situation. The same nurse who got the faulty reading that I mentioned last month, was there to draw blood this Friday too. Another nurse had to come by to help when the first nurse was not able to start the process. Then after a long and unnecessarily drawn out episode we took off resolved to never get the same nurse. After dozens of different nurses you get to learn which are the few less good ones. Most have been both excellent and caring. Petty torments are to be expected in recovery, except when it comes to the care givers.

We spent last weekend in Toronto and London, Ontario wishing my mom well at the Breast Cancer Survivor Dragon Boat Races. Her team won two of their races. We saw my brother's family and had a great time. It was nice to get back to Canada after four years.

UPDATE:

Hospital was very accommodating. Sue will have a new nurse from now on.