Sorry for taking so long to provide and update. Luke is doing OK. Last chemo Luke got was via IV, intrathecal and harpooning. Chemo slowed him down for a couple of days but bounce back was quick...and no nausea. The final chemo for this phase is tomorrow and Thursday. During this phase the methotrexate dosage has been increased each time provided his blood counts don't tank. Last week his blood numbers looked pretty good so it's expected he will receive the increased dosage of methotrexate.

The amount raised for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society stands at $11,566. We stopped by LLS and dropped off the donation last week.

Still have T's in all sizes. Let us know if you would like some - and all proceeds go to L&LS.

Passed around T's to the folks at MDA. We got Luke's primary doctor at MDA, Dr. Wells, to put his T on and jump in front of the camera.

Dr. Yuen told Luke last week she is moving over to another department effective July 1. Dr. Yuen has been with Luke from the start. We hate to see her go, but wish her the best in her new position.

June 13th update

On Thursday and Friday Luke got round 3 of chemo in consolidation phase 2. That makes it two more rounds to go in this phase. After round 1 Luke got a new nausea medication which has worked. No nausea this time but he has not had much energy. Thursday, Friday and most of today he has been on the couch.

Compared to ten days ago his blood counts this week have not changed much (white cells 2.8, ANC 1.7 and platelets 126). The vincristine he gets is having some neurological side effects. Luke has had numbness in his fingers from vincristine for some time but he now has signs of foot drop. He has a problem balancing on his heels so when walks he does not have the normal heel to toe motion, his feet tend to slap down.

Next chemo is a week from Monday. He gets all the same meds he has been getting this round but for round 4 he will receive methotrexate intrathecal as well as IV.

If anyone still interested in purchasing an original AssHat t-shirt we had additional smalls and mediums printed so all sizes (S, M, L, XL) are available. Just drop me an email at dmnovick@earthlink.net

Attached are a few more pics from the blood drive and fund raiser.

The official blood drive cheerleaders (standing) providing inspiration to a seemingly apprehensive group of donors (seated).

Nurse Gayle providing patient care, Beth providing.......we are not sure!

Luke and his old friend Eric. Incidently it's a little know fact but this same old friend was the young mountain boy that played the dueling banjos theme with John Voight in the movie "Deliverance"

It's showtime!

What a great weekend! The blood drive a great success, exceeding all expectations. So may people helped with setting up and cleaning up, registering donors, finding replacement donors and keeping everyone fed. The wait was at times long, but it seemed everyone made the best of it by catching up with friends and neighbors they may not have seen for some time.





A few donors experienced some light headedness. One unidentified Aggie was heard saying as she/he plummeted to his/her knees "Wow, is this fun or what!"




The concert created a lot of excitement at our house which at times was hard to contain.

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Doesn't this look like one cool dude who is about to have great time!



The evening was spectacular. It was great to see so many friends and neighbors. Thank you to Rudy (Rudy's Grill & Cantina) and Kitty (Buffalo Wing Station) for the great food. Hope everyone enjoyed the entertainment. Motley Rockers, thank you so much, just your practicing with Luke was a welcome diversion for him.

Our emcee's for the evening assured me they were maintaining accurate records of who won the raffle items, however, seeing the pain they were in Sunday morning was not reassuring. If you won a prize and have not heard from me, please drop me an email at dmnovick@earthlink.net

Luke's update as of Tuesday was back to reality. Luke had IV chemo on Monday and was harpooned on Tuesday. He got sick on the way home Tuesday, slept for a few hours but seems to be doing OK this evening. Right now he is tuned into the latest segment of the Deadliest Catch.