tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38612301569610306922024-03-12T18:04:05.814-04:00Mitch's Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS)What happens when you're diagnosed with a disease you've never heard of - Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS).Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.comBlogger188125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-73815413715351932052010-07-04T09:55:00.000-04:002010-07-04T09:55:17.516-04:00Photos from Mitch's MemorialAbout 175 of us - friends and family from all chapters in Mitch's life gathered on Sunday, June 27, to share memories and celebrate his life. It was wonderful with stories from his childhood, years as a drama student, his sports and baseball friends, skiing friends and family. I know we missed notifying some people and I apologize. I'm inserting links to photos taken by my Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-52320732374533545452010-03-30T06:47:00.000-04:002010-03-30T06:47:46.892-04:00Rest in Peace Jerzy SnowmanHere is a link to an entry "Rest in Peace Jerzy Snowman" on Martin Griff's Newark Star Ledger/Trenton Times (nj.com) blog. Thanks Martin. I know how much Mitch enjoyed traveling with you.
Penny Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-6214347399890580052010-03-28T05:54:00.001-04:002010-03-28T05:55:52.847-04:00NASJA Tribute to MitchPeter Hines and NASJA (North American Snowsports Journalists Association) created this lovely "not-a-dry-eye-in-the-house" video to pay tribute to Mitch for his role in NASJA and his love of skiing and snow sports. It's taken from the NASJA website. Many thanks all!
Penny
Mitch Kaplan Memorial Video from Peter Hines on Vimeo.Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-90034657072749603032010-03-18T07:58:00.000-04:002010-03-18T07:58:40.204-04:00Mitch's Obituaryphoto by Dino VournasToday the Bergen Record ran Mitch's obituary in place of his ski column which is very gratifying but it is a newspaper obituary and doesn't convey the depth of sadness, respect and support that we have received from all his famly, friends and colleagues. Mitch gnashed his teeth many times over what was printed and what was not and I'm gnashing because they didn't give Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-41042501230406586222010-03-15T20:42:00.000-04:002010-03-15T20:42:46.431-04:00MDS Become AML - the Final ChapterMitch never regained any ground with the ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) and today his kidneys had started to shut down and his heart rate (slowed by drugs) was irregular. His lungs continued to hemorrage. Transfusions and a battery of drugs caused no improvement. By late afternoon we decided that it was time to let him go. His condition was so deteriorated that we felt it was Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-12606011061647514502010-03-12T20:02:00.000-05:002010-03-12T20:02:50.365-05:00MDS Becomes AML - StablilizedToday Mitch's condition is more stable with heart rate down a bit and platelets and white cells up. He is still totally sedated with a tube into his lungs for air and one to his stomach for food. Laina and I were so pleased to see him looking better this morning. But it is very hard to see him in this condition and totally out of it. So by this evening we are Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-45872024552128164322010-03-12T07:21:00.001-05:002010-03-12T07:22:20.175-05:00MDS Becomes AML – IntubationYesterday, as the day went on, Mitch experienced extremely high heart rates, low blood pressure and uncontrolled coughing on top of extreme fatigue. Doctors in the CCU (turns out he’s in CCU, rather than ICU – for us the same thing), took more x-rays and found the shadow on the right lung was progressing fast. With our consent they performed an endotracheal intubation – sedated him and inserted aMitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-11128028585602709852010-03-11T12:32:00.000-05:002010-03-11T12:32:32.217-05:00MDS Becomes AML and into ICUThe results of the chemo hit Mitch hard this week, and he has been too exhausted to do anything. Thus no blogs, e-mails or telephone chats. Now his blood counts are starting to climb. It’s a good thing, too, because it looks like he’ll need all those newly developed white blood cells to fight off infections.
For a couple of nights he’s been running occasional fevers, and now his breathing seemsMitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-65022868580706544012010-03-07T09:13:00.000-05:002010-03-07T09:13:28.236-05:00MDS Becomes AML - I Am Da Count, Ha-Ha-HaToday's counts:Platelets: 19,000
Hemoglobin: 9.1
White Cells: 0.3
I'm beginning to give up on tracking these numbers. Or, at least seeking logic in them.
The red cells didn't change. Okay, we didn't transfuse blood yesterday, so that makes some sense.
The platelets rose reasonably. Makes sense, since we did transfuse platelets yesterday.
The whites? Nothing. Despite Neupogen infusion. I mean, Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-12338173783213848512010-03-06T08:28:00.000-05:002010-03-06T08:28:53.257-05:00MDS Becomes AML - You're Not Going Anywhere, MisterYesterday's counts were:Platelets: 11,000
Hemoglobin: 7.3
White Cells: 1.6
Today's counts are:Platelets: 6,000
Hemoglobin: 9.1
White Cells: 0.3
Initially, these counts were alarming. What the hell was going on? I thought they were supposed to start coming back up by now.
Turns out we'd all miscalculated. Even Dr. O.
We were a week ahead of ourselves. The counts should be bottoming out right Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-74945808820126158172010-03-05T08:28:00.000-05:002010-03-05T08:28:35.187-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Still HereNo post yesterday, largely because I had nothing to say. For the record, yesterday's counts were Platelets: 18,000
Hemoglobin: 8.2
White Cells: 4.2
Not nearly the improvement I'd hoped for.
And the fatigue continued. But, I'd attribute that more to a terrible prior night's sleep that resulted from a bad time waiting for a platelet transfusion.
Without going into details, suffice it to sayMitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-20278851475826271022010-03-03T16:27:00.000-05:002010-03-03T16:27:12.251-05:00MDS Becomes AML - No Platelets, No EnergyToday's counts:Platelets: 6,000
Hemoglobin: 9.1
White Cells: 7.8
Six thousand isn't a record low for platelets, but it ain't far off.
No platelets means no energy.
So, today I've slept.
While I've waited four-plus hours for the platelet transfusion bag to show up.
Even Ms. I.V. Pole is wondering what's going on.
There have been better days.
But, also worse.Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-51662033424321957902010-03-02T10:24:00.001-05:002010-03-02T10:25:25.278-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Blood Counts Drop, Mood DropsAs expected, the counts continue to descend.Platelets: 12,000
Hemoglobin: 7.9
White Cells: 11.8
Although Dr. O promises that today is "bottom out" day, it's difficult not to wonder, the doubt exacerbated by the fatigue factor.
I was sound asleep by 8:30 last night, awakened by the nurse at 9:45 to be fed meds and be disconnected from Ms. I.V. Pole and, apart from the usual multiple, fluids-fed,Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-65595961985020570552010-03-01T09:41:00.001-05:002010-03-01T09:43:55.653-05:00MDS Becomes AML - More Top Notch Hospital SocksThe word came down in no uncertain terms: those socks need washing.
"No! No!" I argued. "These socks are way too comfortable and, besides, they're still the hit of the hospital."
It could've gotten ugly.
But—wait. Leena the Elder rode in to the rescue like the U.S. Cavalry with . . . replacement socks.
The legend continues. (Photo by Laina Kaplan.)
For them what tracks 'em, today's counts:Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-47508675105130093542010-02-28T10:22:00.000-05:002010-02-28T10:22:19.272-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow?A funny thing is happening on the hair-loss front. Or, perhaps better to say hair loss/gain. The stuff is disappearing from my head. But, it's reappearing on my face.
True, the beard is regrowing in spots and patches, and it's hardly visible in places, but sure enough there it is.
Meanwhile, while there's a thin covering atop the cranium, the sides are totally bereft of foliage.
Why is this?
Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-57956178497326757182010-02-27T09:19:00.000-05:002010-02-27T09:19:08.365-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Cleared to Travel. Soon.Some begging was required. Some cajoling. A few promises. But, this AML-MDS victim has been cleared to get back on an airplane. Come March 23, he'll be boarding flights to Sun Valley, Idaho, to attend the annual ski journalists' national meeting, where he'll be able to fulfill his duties as the organization's paid secretary-treasurer.
This is so good for my head.
Today's counts are pretty good,Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-40253884540231394162010-02-26T09:36:00.001-05:002010-02-26T09:37:20.917-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Counting Your Days AwayThis morning I woke up waxing philosophic in a kind of existential way. I realized I'd been clock watching and counting the days.A few more hours til the next chemo.
An hour til the current chemo is done.
Today's the last day of chemo.
Just another week til I'm out of here (hopefully).
Three more weeks til the next chemo.
Another six weeks and we might have a bone marrow donor.
Four to six monthsMitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-6655294992099390442010-02-25T12:53:00.000-05:002010-02-25T12:53:09.724-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Good Counts But Endless Treatments?Business first (as my friends at Continental Airlines would say).
Today's counts:Platelets: 109,000
Hemoglobin: 9.5
White Cells: 6.1
Those are pretty good counts. With one more day of chemo on the schedule, the question, of course, is how low will they go? Ah, only time will tell.
Conferred with Dr. O this morning on how many of these consolidations we'd actually have to do. Basically, it Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-16311397328713913572010-02-24T11:17:00.000-05:002010-02-24T11:17:41.841-05:00MDS Becomes AML - I.V. Free No MoreFreedom, as the right wingers tell us, isn't free.
And, apparently, it's short-lived.
My freedom from Ms. I.V. Pole, Queen of Chemo, lasted only one morning. Early yesterday afternoon Kate-the-Nurse came charging in with a bag of potassium-injected fluid, unceremoniously hung it on Ms. Pole and connected it to my PICC line.
"On no," I cried. "How long does this have to last?"
"All the time Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-31658302525038969892010-02-23T16:52:00.000-05:002010-02-23T16:52:09.144-05:00MDS Becomes AML - The World's Most Popular Hospital SocksWorld's most popular hospital socks. Photo by Penny Kaplan. Socks by Leena Kuivanen. Feet by MDS Mitch.Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-73411271398048548742010-02-23T07:04:00.003-05:002010-02-23T07:07:30.463-05:00MDS Becomes AML - You Can (and Sometimes Must) Go Home AgainBack in the hospital. It's like old home week here. Everybody knows my name. Everybody remembers what the problem is and what I'm here for. Even the guy who wheeled me down to x-ray remembered me—as did the woman who coordinates the order in which patients go into x-ray. She greeted me enthusiastically, saying "We've met!"
"Several times," I replied. With a smile.
This place is rapidly Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-29232651869770748752010-02-22T06:55:00.000-05:002010-02-22T06:55:18.211-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Back to the Big HWell, it's H-Day. Return to hospital day. Or should we call it CC-Day. Consolidation-Chemo Day? No matter, it's back to the grind.
It's difficult not to be discouraged by the prospect of multiple consolidation treatments when I'd really rather just get on with the transplant. I'd have to be insane to welcome more hospital stays over fewer.
But, at least I know I'll be well attended on the Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-62013845501626646342010-02-20T07:00:00.001-05:002010-02-20T07:01:15.653-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Living Day to DayYesterday was a totally down day. No energy. No focus. Unable to do much other than try to sleep, and sleep wasn't happening either.
Which raised certain fears. Was this the beginning of falling blood counts? Did it have anything to do with a leukemia relapse?
Or, was it just the result of a poor night's sleep the night before?
The answer would appear to be the latter, since I'm up bright and Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-28263536168675683932010-02-19T09:39:00.000-05:002010-02-19T09:39:46.451-05:00MDS Becomes AML - I Can Smell It ComingI started spending yesterday by moping around. Luckily there were enough mundane chores that had to be done—finish the taxes, write some checks for the ski writers' group, make of edits on a paper Laina's writing and try to discover why the health insurance folks think we're responsible for a Procrit shot the Dr. O jabbed into me on Dec. 29—to distract me and get me into a working frame of mind.
Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3861230156961030692.post-65600074316319155372010-02-18T07:05:00.000-05:002010-02-18T07:05:04.331-05:00MDS Becomes AML - Here We Go AgainOh crap. It's back to the hospital we go. And me, I was just getting my feet back under me and getting used to being home.
Seems that Dr. O, after conferring with Dr. T, decided that a consolidation chemotherapy treatment session is in order. That was not surprising.
She wants to start on Monday.
That was more than surprising. It's downright disheartening.
Not because I don't understand why Mitchhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08969364800342481022noreply@blogger.com3