The reason to start blogging

I decided to start this blog not only so other people who have been dealing with CMML (Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia ) with a loved one understand some of the changes that take place in one's life, but also so my children have a better understanding of their grandparents. 

I remember in 2006 when I received a phone call that my dad's kidney's had shut down.  With living in the U.S. the need to grab that first plane was imperative.  There was no indication as to why, but to be by my mom's side who was ailing from 2 major strokes, I had to get there immediately. 

No matter what happens to one's parents, you always have questions and more questions of doctors.  The one joy was I was also dealing with the Canadian medical system in which specialists are not always there for the type of diagnosis, but if there happens to be one, you are lucky if they will take the time to talk with you or for that matter, even help you after a diagnosis.

It was during this time that it was discovered my dad had CMML, after blood work that was completed and then the need to do a bone marrow tap.  It was confirmed.  Chronic Myelomonocytic leukemia are uncommon blood cancers that have characteristics of two other types of blood cancers called "myelodysplastic syndromes" (MDS) and "myeloproliferative disorders" (MPDs). For this reason the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified CMML as "mixed myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative diseases." This is a relatively new (2001) classification that is expected to lead to greater understanding of these diseases and to the development of more effective treatments. CMML was previously classified as myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) subtypes or atypical chronic myeloid disorders. 

So the next questions were how long has he had it, what is his survival rate, what will be done for him, and a rash of other thoughts that went through my head at the time.  Dad had for about a year and a half had red blotchy marks on his face and other areas of his body that his general practioner had stated was a "rash" and was treating it with a cortisone creme.  Who would have realized that this is one of the symptoms of CMML. 

Here is where my story will start.  Of how a loving man who was 6 feet tall and weighed well over 250 lbs. is as of this day approximately 130 lbs. and his feelings of hopelessness, that surround myself and my mother.