Luiz health update

Luiz went to his monthly doctor appointment at INCA today. His mother accompanied him. Good news overall.

You will recall that with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia things progress slowly, if all is going well. We’re delighted to report that things are going well.

Luiz is going monthly because from among the half dozen or so markers that indicate a more negative prognosis he has one such marker. It is a more obscure marker – not among the real zingers, for sure; but a marker all the same. So his team wants to keep a close eye on progression. Thus the frequent blood tests and reviews. We appreciate the careful scrutiny. Although spending time at a public cancer facility takes its toll.

A recent CT scan taken here compared to the scan taken in December in San Francisco revealed no progression in terms of lymph node or spleen swelling. VERY good news.

Blood counts continue to show very slow progression. So we settle back into “watch and worry.” But it is definitely good news overall.

As a lighthearted aside, Luiz has been coached by his social worker to say the words "I am diabetic" (which is true) when he goes in for his monthly blood draw. Those magic words result in a parting of the crowd, taking him to the front of the 40-person line waiting for their lab paperwork. Then again to the front of the 15-person line of those waiting to be poked. We can get in and out in less than 15 minutes (otherwise a two hour ordeal.) We are grateful for mundane conveniences.

Thank you for all your support, prayers and well wishes. It makes a real difference for Luiz and I.