How it all started

Dear kids, I am writing this from Dad's bedside in the Guy's Hospital in Vauxhall, London. We first went yesterday to the ER at St. Thomas Hospital and were there all day. After bunches of tests and examinations, he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. He was then transferred here to Guy's, which is the site of the hematology/oncology unit of the combined hospital. Dad was fine when we left home on August 4, but felt less and less well as the tour progressed. Finally, at dinner Thursday night, he shared with me his desire to seek medical help and to have blood work done. He had diagnosed himself but would not tell me, and it was at St. Thomas that his thinking was confirmed and I learned what was really going on. It was a shock, to say the least. However, I can assure you that we are both handling it well. Dad, in fact, is relieved to know what had been ailing him. We have cancelled the Scotland tour and will be returning home sometime this coming week. As yet we do not know exactly when, but the word is that he will be in the hospital until at least Tuesday. Meanwhile, Dad has been started on oral chemo therapy. Two of the couples with whom we've been traveling are still here (our first tour ended Wed. night with the usual farewell dinner) and have been most solicitous. In fact they are coming to see Dad this afternoon. We will keep you posted on any new developments. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Much love, Mom/Maida