10/14/07 - Things are a changin'

As some of you may be aware, I have developed some new symptoms in the last month. I can actually point to the day I recognized this because I was walking playing golf and at the end of the round I was dog tired. It was Sept 10th. Donna has also mentioned to me that I looked pale in the last 3 weeks or so. Well, one of the symptoms on the list is Anemia, and my self diagnosis tells me that is where I am going. So, a week ago Monday I had some blood work done and the results sent to my Oncologist/Hematologist. They said they would have them by Wed / Thursday. So on Tuesday I called the Dr to try to make an appt and they said, come in on Friday the 19th, I said I think after he sees the results of the tests he may want to see me sooner. And yes, he does. On Wed of last week I got the call and I have an appt for next Wed (the 16th) for him to go over the results with me.

I have been feeling very tired lately, and even just going up the stairs to the bedroom gets me a little out of breath. Even the slightest exertion makes my heart rate go up. I am actually having less night sweats, and my nodes are about the same, so I am not sure what is really going on.

Also on Tuesday I called the Cancer Center at UCSD to talk to them about being seen by Dr. Kipps who is the head of the CLL Research Consortium. I now also have an appt to see Dr. Kipps on Nov. 13th. That was the earliest I could get in, but I feel good about seeing the head of the whole CLL project. I am hoping that I don't have to immediately start treatment so I can still go and see him and review my options.

http://cll.ucsd.edu/index.htm

The consortium is the group that is doing all the research with about 8 centers involved.

Some of you may remember that I had been talking about going to MD Anderson in Houston for a second opinion and treatment recommendations (and maybe even treatment there), but after careful consideration I really wondered why I would fly to Houston when I can drive to La Jolla (especially if I am going to be seen personally by the head guy). I think a lot of people that post on the CLL boards talking about going to MD Anderson are from the Midwest and even the East and it is easier for them to get to Houston.