Personal stuff. Feel free to skip.
Judy and I always look forward to attending Bouchercon. It's the big event of the year for us, and we've been going whenever possible since 1980. We've missed the overseas conventions and the one in New York in 1983, the year we moved here to Alvin and were still recovering from that move and from Hurricane Alicia, which arrived here the same week we did. We also missed the one in Alaska because that one came the year we found out that Judy had non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and because she was undergoing some serious chemo.
Judy's been in treatment ever since, and while she's been in remission a couple of times, it hasn't lasted. Some of you might recall that she was in remission in the early part of this year, but in August we found out that the disease was back. The doctor recommended the full chemo routine again, and this time it's two days in a row. The first day is a long one, seven or eight hours of infusion of two drugs, Rituxan and Bendamustine. The second of the two was approved by the FDA the year after Judy's first treatments, so it's a fairly new one (in the U. S., anyway; it's been used in Germany for a long time). The second day is a shorter, with only Bendamustine being infused.
Judy's had two treatments so far. We think it's working, but she hasn't been tested yet. We'll find out more later. And while she's feeling pretty good except for the week after chemo (she feels rotten then), the third round of treatments is scheduled on October 5-6. Yes, Bouchercon weekend. We couldn't have gone, anyway, because one of the risks of chemo is infection. It wouldn't be wise to fly on a crowed plane and spend four or five days in a convention hotel, and we could take the risk. So we won't be at the Bouchercon. We canceled our hotel reservations, and the Bouchercon folks were very understanding when I asked about a membership refund. Our thanks to all concerned.
We'll be thinking about the convention a lot, of course, and wishing we were there. Maybe we'll make it to Albany in 2013. Here's hoping.
16 comments:
Sending the very best wishes to Judy and to you.
PS, I bet there are at least a dozen people writing "The Ballad of Bill and Judy" at this very minute.
I'm so sorry I won't see you and Judy at Bouchercon. And sorrier she is going through this again. I will keep both of you in my thoughts and prayers.
I've enjoyed chatting with you and Judy at the two Bouchercons I've attended, Bill. It's not in my budget this year, but I'm looking forward to next year in Albany. Hope to see you then. My best to you both.
Best wishes to you both.
Missing y'all for one year is worth it because it means having Judy with us for many many more Bouchercons to come.
Of course you will be sorely missed but Judy's health comes first as always and there is always next year and the years after that.
Jeff
Sorry to hear Judy is back in treatment. Now I know the name of another drug that may be used if my non-Hodgkin's come back. I just looked it up on Medline Plus for more information.
Best wishes to the both of you. I know you'll really miss being at Bouchercon. Glad I got to say hey in St. Louis.
I'll be sitting out this year's con as well. I haven't been going anywhere near as long as you have, but I already know it's not a real Bouchercon if you and Judy aren't there. Here's wishing you both all the best.
This is not unexpected, but too bad anyway. We'll not be there either, for various reasons, none of them health related, or barely so. It was great seeing you both in San Francisco, hope to see you both at the next, or next after that! Fingers still crossed, prayers still lifting skyward.
- Rick
Nuts, sorry to hear she has a new round of treatments to endure. Best of luck.
Thinking of you and Judy and sending positive vibes your way. Good luck!
You will be missed -- I always get a kick out of seeing you and Judy. But first things first, and we are all rooting for both of you.
Best of luck for beating the bug.
We'll be thinking about both of you, as always.
Sorry to hear about the relapse-hope Judy's on the road to recovery soon.
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