Luke update - at Rudy's Saturday July 11 6:30-9 pm

Luke finished up the Consolidation 2 phase last week with the maximum dose of methotrexate along with erwinia and vincristine. This week is a recovery period with no chemo.

Counts this week were down a little from last week (for those keeping track white cells 1.7, hemoglobin 8.6, platelets 73 and ANC .88). With no chemo this week expect counts will bounce back. To start chemo next week ANC needs to be above .75.

The next phase of chemo is Consolidation 3 and has two stages (A & B). This phase will be rougher than the last phase. The good news is it's the last round of intensive chemo. Part A chemo includes vincristine and Doxorubicin given IV in weeks 1,2 and 3; Dexamethasone given orally for seven days during both weeks 1 and 3; methotrexate given as a spinal injection in week 1 and erwinia via harpoon in week 1.

Part B is four weeks long. Drugs are Cycloshosphaminde via IV in week 1; cytarabine via IV for four days in weeks 1 and 2; 6-Thioguanine orally for the weeks 1 and 2, vincristine IV in weeks 3 and 4 and Erwinia (via harpoon) in week 3.

Expect Consolidation 3 will finish up around October 1. After that it's maintenance for two years.

Luke is doing well. We are not aware of him inflicting any damage to life, limb or property over the 4th. We went to Traci and Jim's lake house on the 5th. Luke enjoyed the sun and got up on water skis.

Hey, for anyone interested Luke will playing and singing at Rudy's Cantina and Grill this Saturday (July 11) from 6:30 until 9 PM. He will be playing inside. Hope to see some of you there.