Time is Running Out!

We got a call from Dr Oehler, way after business hours, the other night.  She tells us that Tyler's latest blood test did show signs of circulating blasts.  This means that time is running out for Tasigna, as it is starting to have trouble controlling the leukemia again.  His other counts were okay, but we don't know how long it will be before the leukemic cells start to get out of control again.

He may not be able to wait until the Ariad trial opens up in Houston.  He'll be getting blood counts at least weekly for the next little bit, as Dr Oehler keeps a very close eye on his status.

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Use the coupon at http://www.gapinc.com/giveandget/lls/ to get your discount.

Test Results In

Tyler got a call from the doctor today and found out that his last blood test results showed an increase in leukemic cells.  While there are no blasts, his PCR went from .01 to 3.0.  (I think, although I got this second hand....)  This is definitely a bad sign, as it indicates that the disease is starting to get out of control again.

The doctor listed Tyler's options for him, although they haven't really changed.  The Ariad trial probably won't open up in Seattle or Portland until October/November, which might be too long to wait.  There might be a spot on the hedgehog trial in October.  In addition, Tyler is still a candidate for a cord blood transplant. 

Of these options, he still prefers the Ariad trial.  Because of the delay in getting things here, we might have to look around the country to see if we can find a spot on the trial somewhere else.

Tyler is, understandably, bummed about the test results.  He has just started to feel good after the shingles outbreak, so the news is coming at a tough time.  So... We are now scouting the country for new trials that Tyler would be eligible for.  He'll have another more in depth blood test in the next week to get more details about what is going on inside him.

Seahawks Tickets Auction

I got an e-mail today, notifying me that I was the winner of tickets to this weekend's Seahawks game against the Green Bay Packers.  This was a promotion that our Leukemia and Lymphoma Society chapter offered for online fundraisers.  Thanks to all who donated online this month for helping me to achieve this!

Since this really is a prize for our great friends and family that have been supporting our efforts, Tyler and I decided that we should auction the tickets off to raise money for Team Firefly, so you each have a chance to win the seats for yourself!

Seattle Seahawks vs Green Bay Packers
Saturday, August 21st @ 7:00pm
Section: 314

We will start the bidding at $50/pair of seats and close the bidding at 7pm on Friday 8/20.  If you want to bid for the tickets, please send an e-mail to seahawkstickets@hotmail.com with your bid.  I will take the highest bid as of Friday evening, but will send out updates to all bidders so that you each have a chance to win the tickets! 

Payment will be made online at http://pages.lightthenight.org/wa/SeattleL10/MBledsoe for the winning bidder and tickets will either be delivered to you or left at Will Call.

Good luck!

Light the Night

It's that time of year again!  We are planning to walk around Greenlake on the evening of Saturday, September 25th with as many friends and family members as we can convince to join us.  Our goal is to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and support their efforts to find new cures for blood cancers.

If you can join us for an evening stroll, please go to http://pages.lightthenight.org/wa/SeattleL10/TeamFirefly and click JOIN at the bottom of the page.

If you can't join us, please donate at http://pages.lightthenight.org/wa/SeattleL10/MBledsoe
Many thanks for your continued support!
 
Mandy and Tyler

No Longer a Cyclops

Sorry for the long delay in posting.  Life has been busy for the last few weeks!

We have been joking around the house that Tyler is no longer a cyclops.  For much of this shingles battle, he was unable to open his left eye because of pain or the sensitivity to light.  About a week ago, he just started using it again!  It's fun to see both of his eyes again and know that he can actually see me again.

He also started driving again, which helps him to feel less trapped in the house.  I was a little concerned because of his comments on the first day that he tried driving.  He decided to take a test drive to Starbucks.  I'm certain that his drive for vanilla latte was the real need that prompted him to get out of the house, but thankfully things went well on that short trip.  He then decided to take a slightly longer trip to enjoy his freedom, which was great and put him in very good spirits.

While we were watching TV later that evening, Tyler said to me "Wow! I can almost see the TV again.".  For some reason, this made me feel like the parent of a 16 year old and I started worrying about the fact that he was out on the road again.  Thankfully, his eyesight has continued to improve and the doctor was very pleased with how well Ty was doing at our visit last Friday.

Hopefully he soon tells me that he can see perfectly fine again and I don't have to volunteer to drive every time we are headed out!  ;)