Some great news!

Dad recently went for a check up and a CT scan and Mom and Dad went to the doctor today for the results. Both the CT scan and his blood work came back totally normal. Needless to say we are ecstatic about this news!

The doctor is also taking him off two more medications. Dad has been having body pain but the doctor confirmed today that it is from going off the medication prednisone.

This week Thursday and next Friday Dad is scheduled to have cataract surgery; we are hoping this will improve his eye sight. Dad is hoping he can get into reading again and Mom is hoping he will be able to drive again!

In November Dad will start getting his immunizations, which will be done over a year (just like a baby).

We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for keeping Dad with us through this long journey. It has been almost 7 years since he was diagnosed and almost 3 years since his stem cell transplant. Although Dad is not technically cancer free we thank God for this win today and will leave tomorrow in His hands. We pray that God will continue to uphold Dad and Mom in the weeks and months to come.

We would also like to thank all of you for your continued prayers and support.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Some Good News

Hello everyone,

I just got home from my BMT appointment and have some good news and some good news.

My cyclosporine has been progressively reduced and I should be done with this medication by mid May.

The prednisone will also continue to decrease and should be finished in November, if not sooner.

Sometime this summer the doc will schedule a CT scan to compare with the previous one.

Because the GVHD was very aggressive, he is hopeful of a positive result.

The fatigue, nausea and lack of focus he calls chemo sickness. This may last for some time yet, but the reduction in meds will certainly help.

I’m on a double dose of penicillin to combat everyday illnesses and to help “kick-start” my immune system.

This will take a minimum of 1 year.

All in all this is very good news , and I’m thankful to our Heavenly Father for these blessings.

I do see a light at the end on this long tunnel.

Wishing you all the best, Ed

December 2010

It's been almost two years since Dad's transplant! Time sure flies! Two years ago at this time Dad and Mom were getting prepared for a long stint at the hospital. That Christmas was a good family time but also a time of anxiousness. We all weren't really sure what to expect or what the future would hold. How great it is to have our Heavenly Father watch over us and know our every concern. "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts." Psalm 139: 23

Dad is still taking a lot of medication. The doctor is now very slowly lowering the dose for GVHD, this is a good thing but also has side affects, making Dad's body having to work harder. There are good days and days of not feeling good, loss of appetite and extreme fatigue.
We still have a long road ahead of us and yet we are very thankful that Dad can enjoy the company of his children and granchildren. "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Th 5:16-18

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

New Medication

Well it's been a long time since an update. Dad continues with his medication regimen and the side effects that come with those don't allow him to do a whole lot. There are days he feels good and then Mom & Dad hop in the truck and head out to see what they see. Other days Dad is very tired and just not feeling well.

In the last month Dad has had a cold and fever. It takes him longer to recover but we're happy to report that he's feeling better.

At his routine check-up last week the doctor reported that Dad's liver enzyme levels were 'off the charts' so he's added a new medication to help with that. The side effects of that drug so far have been extreme fatigue.

It is our prayer that soon Dad will be well enough to start taking less medication. We're thankful to our Heavenly Father for his provision over our lives and pray for continued improvement for Dad if that is His Will.

One Year Already!

One year has passed since Dad's bone marrow transplant! We won't forget that day since it's also the day before his birthday. We're so thankful that God heard our prayers and has given Dad another year of life. We take so many things for granted but we are truly thankful that we will be able to celebrate Dad's birthday with him on Friday!

The past year has definitely had its ups and downs. Dad was in the hospital for almost 3 months and Mom stayed by his side everyday. He had times when he was doing really well and a time we almost lost him. It was not easy for any of us.

Dad is still recuperating nicely. His recent doctor visits have been positive, the doctor has said that the swelling and other side effects are completely normal. He is still on quite a bit of medication and probably will be for quite some time. He is still taking medication to help with the GVHD and that should get less and less as time goes on. As far as the cancer is concerned the doctors say it is under control.

Dad and Mom paid a visit to the 15th floor at the hospital where he spent all those weeks. They brought the doctors and nurses a cake and they were thrilled to see Dad. He looks so different than he did leaving them a year ago.

We thank you so much to those who continue to send best wishes and prayers for Dad. Please also pray for Dad's sister Helen who is still undergoing chemo for breast cancer. She was there so much for Dad when he was in the hospital and we pray for her and her family as they go through this difficult time.

Slow and Steady

I apologize for the delay in updating the blog. Dad has been on a 'slow and steady' recovery path that doesn't always make for good blogging. We have much to be thankful for in that regard. No news is good news as they say.

Dad still has GVHD and the doctors say he will continue to have this for probably another 6 months. The symptoms change from time to time but right now he has a bit of a rash on his legs and some swelling by his ankles. Also he has the feeling that there is always something in his eyes. His tear ducts are not working properly so his eyes are quite often dry. The doctor says all of these things are normal and is happy with the progress Dad is making.

The GVHD means that the bone marrow transplant is working. So even though it is uncomfortable and often annoying it is part of the healing process. We thank God every day for his goodness and protection!

Dad is also still on a lot of medication. Having the GVHD means he needs to stay on medication that keeps his immune system really low. This means that especially this time of year he will need to avoid large groups and sick people. Mom and Dad like having coffee drinkers as long as they are healthy.

Dad and Mom try to stay busy but the rainy weather keeps them indoors more than they would like. Dad has trouble focusing so reading books and playing games are pretty difficult. Keeping busy is probably the most challenging part right now for them. I encourage you to stop by for coffee sometime or if you are unable to do that send them a card.

Thank you for your support; please continue to pray for healing.

Latest Appointment

Dad had a visit with the oncologist yesterday and he thinks everything is going well. The skin rash and body ache Dad has is from GVHD (graft-versus-host disease). The doctor altered his medication a bit and also added something to help with the GVHD.

We are thankful for the positive reports and pray for continued strength and health.

Dad's sister Helen is healing from her surgery and awaiting the start of chemo. For further updates please check out her blog at helenshealthupdate.blogspot.com