June 26th, 2006

I have been really learning what it means to rest in The Lord. I am pretty good at managing solutions to problems, but at this time in my process it has been increasingly evident that no humans really have a good handle on exactly what to do.

As you may remember, I’m on a study medication AMN 107 (107). The study requires a lot of continual testing. Approximately a week after starting the 107, I developed a skin rash and had to stop it for three days. The rash resolved itself and has not returned. Then a couple of weeks later, my blood protein lipace was elevated. Lipace levels indicate pancreas function. Again I was taken off the 107 for a few days while a cat scan was done and the lipace level resolved itself. It appears that both the rash and lipace level increase were caused by a combination of all of the different drugs I’ve been taking, not the 107. Since that time, I’ve been back on the 107 at a lower (half) dosage.

It has been frustrating for the past couple of weeks because my progress towards remission has been leveled off at the lower dosage. It has taken that length of time for my doctors to petition the Director of Protocol of the study to allow the dosage to be raised again. Today the approval came back so I’m starting back at a higher dose today. I am hoping that the dosage change will get me going the right way again.

My HLA high resolution typing results came back today to OHSU. That was needed for OHSU to start a search of all the international donor registries for potential donor matches for me. There will be a preliminary report as to how likely a match will be found within the next couple of days. If there are possible matches, then the process starts for the stem cell transplant.

We have been working with the National Marrow Donor Program to have two donor drives in Vancouver. Living Hope Church and New Heights Church will both be sponsoring drives in the near future. I will keep you informed of these drives as info becomes available.

If you want to learn more about becoming a donor or see if you qualify, I have set up a couple of web pages to help. Check out www.ArtsDonorInfo.blogspot.com. It also has a link to a second more personal page where my profile and updates are available.

If you want to know what specifically to pray for, pray for the two donor drives. I am praying that hundreds will decide to sign up on the National Donor Register. While I may be helped by one of those who sign up, anyone in the world who needs stem cells and/or bone marrow will have more options too.

Pray also for me. I am feeling the effects of taking a lot of different drugs. If the higher dose of 107 brings remission, I will be able to stop taking all of the stuff needed to protect me with my compromised immune system. I am also hoping for a positive report of potential donor matches.

Thank you for your thoughts, prayers and contacts. I have been truly blessed by so many loving and supporting people.