August 11, 2007

This is Barbara for Art. Art is doing as well as can be for now and we are working together to send this to you as he is most comfortable in a reclining position. We are back at OHSU and today is day four of a five day round of Chemo. Originally the plan was to have this conditioning chemo and within days have a second transplant of the donor's white cells (leukocytes).

The object of the transplant was to heighten the level of GvHD. However, when he entered to hospital this time they did a biopsy on his stomach and the results showed that there is already GvH present. To give him the transplant now could elevate the GvH to a fatal level. So the consensus of his medical team was that they would continue with the conditioning chemo and save the collection from the donor for a later time. The reason they want GvHD is that it is a measuring tool for the level of graft versus leukemia affect.

Because Art was so ill when he came into the hospital he became depressed especially when it took so many days to come up with an alternate plan. It’s hard for both of us at this time since we were expecting to be so much further along than we are today. Art is very weak and it will take many days just to have the strength to get upstairs now when we get back home. There is no set date as to when he will be coming home but we are hoping for a day next week.

Hope you are all having a wonderful summer! It is certainly going by fast for us. Please remember to take the time to build memories with your family and friends – those who matter most and will always remember your name. Thanks for your prayers and kind words of encouragement.