December 13, 2006

It is day 3 in my 5 day spa experience at this all inclusive health club (Kaiser Sunnyside). I thought there was going to be champagne and gourmet food. All they have here are strange drugs and food that makes airplane food taste like gourmet.

The chemo is going well. I’ve had the 2 doses of the most toxic one and I’m starting the third dose of the 24 hour infused one. Side effects have been minimal and I’m praying they stay that way. My blood counts are holding better than at this point in the first chemo round. I guess that is because I started this round in better shape than last time.

As always, I appreciate your prayers and support.

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December 10, 2006

Well things have changed again. Last Friday afternoon I received a call from Kelli, transplant coordinator at OHSU. Donor #2 and the stem cell collection facility near her have come up with January 15-16 as the soonest dates available. So it is planned that I check into OHSU on January 8th for pre-transplant chemo/radiation and receive my new stem cells on January 16th. For over 7 months we have been in a holding pattern as we have been waiting to get ready for transplant. It is great to finally have a date that will signify the start of the long process of finally getting rid of leukemia permanently. Because donor #1 didn’t work out at the last minute we are hopeful of the new date, yet apprehensive to get too excited.

I also received a call from my oncologist with some news I didn’t want to hear. The transplant on January 15-16 is too long to wait from the chemo I had three weeks ago without receiving additional conditioning chemotherapy. I will be checking into Kaiser Sunnyside tomorrow (Monday) for 5 days of conditioning chemo. My last chemo had two chemicals with 3 days of one and 7 days of another. Next week I will have 2 days and 5 days of the same two chemicals. The dose is smaller so the effects should be less also. (I hope, I hope, I hope)

I have been feeling really good the past week or so. In fact, I feel better than I have for about 7 months. It is hard to think about giving that up to the effects of chemotherapy. Knowing what I am going to go through makes it hard to accept. I can only wonder what Jesus went through on His way to the cross. He knew what was in store for Him, but all He said was “If it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet, not as I will but as you will.” Some day I hope to be that submissive. Right now I’m trying not to grumble too much.

December 7, 2006

Only 18 shopping days left until Christmas, 211 days since we started this CML adventure in May and who knows how long until a stem cell transplant happens. On the transplant note, I talked with Kelli, my transplant coordinator at OHSU, yesterday. She received confirmation that donor #2 is on board and excited to proceed. Nearly all of the blood/medical tests are completed and donor #2 is just as good of a match as donor #1.

Scheduling is still unsure because Donor #2 has recently started a new job and is trying to schedule days off with her new boss during this holiday season for collection of the stem cells. Also, the collection center near Donor #2 needs to have dates available. I am pretty sure that Donor #2 lives in the USA so I don’t have to be concerned about developing a British accent later as with donor #1.

The good news is that my leukemia is still under the radar and staying down well. If the transplant happens before or near the first of next Month, it appears I won’t need more conditioning chemo before getting the preparatory chemo for transplant. I’m very thankful for that and praying that donor #2’s boss will give her time off.

Barbara and I are so thankful that we’ve able to get out of the house a few times over the past week (besides the normal clinics and doctor visits). We made a short appearance at Thanksgiving at Benjamin and Terra’s (my youngest son and daughter). We stayed for less than an hour, but it was great to see my close family together, even for a short while.

Then last Friday we were at their house again and I was able to hold a dear little boy, Jay, for quite a while. For those of you who don’t know, Jay is the son of some dear friends. He is a 5 month old boy who was diagnosed with cancer on his little ankle soon after birth. After several rounds of chemotherapy and two surgeries that removed Jay’s leg to the knee, Jay is doing well and cancer free. Jay and I shared a great bond of going through the same kind of stuff, although at only 5 months Jay has endured much more than I. Jay took to me right away, probably because we both were nearly bald. Maybe he just thought he was looking at himself in the future.

Holding Jay was great for me. He gave me a real attitude adjustment. As with me and my journey, there has been a mighty outcry to God through prayer for Jay’s healing. I was able to hold Jay because God chose to spare his life. Jay was so happy and full of life in spite of his recent ordeal. He gave me incentive to follow his example by being grateful for life and sharing that life with so many people who care for me, just as I care for them. After all, isn’t that what following Jesus is all about, loving Him and loving those around you?

It’s my Christmas wish that in some small way I can help you all remember that relationships are what really matter, not jobs, projects or stuff. In the holiday season the world will try to convince you else wise, but things do tarnish and jobs do go away while relationships will always matter.