Reality check

I was going to post about nerves and my stomach this morning. Then I opened an e-mail from my brother. Ugh. Talk about a change in my thought process.

Caroline (his granddaughter) was in the hospital from last Thursday (20 May) till Sunday with what was diagnosed as "reflex." They appear to have her medication worked out now and she's doing much better. It was a bad time for Emily and Sean - it's tough having your infant in the hospital.

I need to let you know that last week Ernie (our brother) was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). He was admitted to Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas Friday (21 May) and will be there about 1 month. Although AML is a very aggressive form of leukemia, Ernie is in excellent condition, he was diagnosed very early, and had not developed any of the side effects most patients have developed before it is diagnosed. When I visited him Sunday his spirits were high and he was feeling good.

We were shocked when told he will be in the hospital a month. But we found out that because AML is so aggressive, the chemo treatment to fight it is equally aggressive. Although right now he’s feeling well and would like visitors or phone calls, he will become weak as the chemo builds in his body and his immune system will become non-existent. At that point, which is probably 2 weeks off, he may not be allowed visitors.

His room phone has a data port - he will be hooking his laptop to it and checking his e-mail from there. Today, 25 May, is his birthday.

Interesting timing, no?