July 11th, 2006

I trust everyone had a great 4th of July. It was the first year that I didn’t create some explosive devices and get with a bunch of friends to make a lot of noise. Barbara and I were amazed when we looked out our bedroom window and saw many great fireworks displays around our neighborhood. There are some fantastic fireworks now. The best part is that we had no big mess to clean up.

There is a stem cell donor drive in Vancouver at New Heights Church this weekend, the 15th and 16th. It will be open from 3:00pm-8:00pm on Saturday and 9:00am-3:00pm on Sunday. Anyone interested in what it entails or to get an appointment time can contact either Judy Howard at 360-609-0520 or howard.dj@gmail.com or Janet Baker at 360-892-5472 or janet.baker@gmail.com Click here for a map to the church. I hope to be able to be there for at least part of the drive. I’m really tired of just hanging around the house.

Well today was is a big day for me. I met with the doctor to determine whether my reaction to the study drug is good and whether I will continue with it or if we need to make a big change to something else. The study drug has been working. My platelet count has risen from getting regular transfusions at 15,000 to 103,000 in 10 days. My red cells are not as good, but improving. My white cell count is erratic, but the trend is the right way. The concerning thing is that the leukemia has not been reduced to where my bone marrow is only putting out less than 5% blast cells (immature leukemia cells). It seems that my marrow being cleared of the leukemia has reached a plateau at about 45-50%. The doctor feels that because there is good movement in the platelet counts, we should give the study drug another week. I on the other hand am ready for more improvement.

I should hear some more about finding a stem cell donor from the National Marrow Donor Registry this Friday. There were some potential donors, but current blood samples needed to be drawn from them. Hopefully one or more agreed to be tested. I’ll keep you informed.

A scripture that I have cherished of late is Isaiah 57:15:

”For this is what the high and lofty one says – He who lives forever, whose name is Holy. I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.”

To think that the same God who created and controls the universe has come down from His place of supreme power and glory to be with me in my need is incredible, incredible yet I know without a doubt that it is true.