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Way back in 1984 I had a mess of little red dots all over the trunk of my body and I was sick with what I thought was the flue. Not being a wimp (I thought) I did not go to Dr. until my wife insisted. He took one look at me and told I could be gravely ill. So into the hospital I went for tests. 3 days later after a batch of liver/spleen scans and some other tests I emerged with the diagnosis of HCL.  My wife was 5 months pregnant with our 3rd child. That was when I met my Oncologist, Tony Scalzo. He told me he had good news and bad news. Bad news was I had leukemia. Good news was, if I had to have it this was the kind to have.

Initial treatment was the removal of my spleen (they said it was the size of a football, and I though I was getting a gut). Did not help a bit!  After a couple of trips to the hospital with unexplained high fever infections I finally developed cellulitis on both legs. In the mean time I was getting many units of red blood cells, about every 3 weeks I had 2 units, Tony told me about an experimental drug called Alpha Interferon. Ok, lets try it! I gave myself injections 3 times a week and had mild flue like symptoms which I seemed to get used to. And I no longer needed the units of red blood cells. The drug was free because Tony somehow managed to get me included in a study. I did well on it but became increasing wary cuz it had whole blood in it. Eventually Tony switched me to leustatin. Wore a pump on my belt for 7 days while this new drug was infused. It was infused through a pic line in my left arm. Again not being a wuss I continued doing my regular stuff while the pump was working (how stupid can ya get). That included gardening and other sorts of mildly physical stuff. Bam, infection at the pic line sight. 12 days later I came out of the hospital on home infusion of potent antibiotics. A week or 2 later a transfusion of red blood cells to build be back up. That treatment lasted 3 years. Then again my white count went up. Red count went down. OH, oh I needed treatment again. This time a port was put in my left upper chest. That was nearly 6 years ago. Though I still needed the 2 units of red blood cells after treatment I have been fine ever since. Blood counts are absolutely normal. In fact I was up to see Tony a couple of weeks ago. I have been going every 6 months.

He told me on the next visit I don't need to see him. His Nurse will look after me. Then possibly he will have my family doctor do the necessary monitoring. Cured? I would like to think so, but...Anyway, My daughter graduates from high school this year. When I was first diagnosed I wondered if I would see any of my kids graduate. I guess this is my chance to thank all the dedicated folks who developed the medicines I used. The doctors and nurses, and the folks who graciously gave their life saving blood to me. I wish I could return the favor! 

God Bless you all, Belden Seguin Pokeytrucker50@aol.com