Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hello all!

It has been another crazy month, but things are moving along... Mike has completed the first two weeks of his treatments for the "Intensification Phase". He has been admitted the past two Mondays and stayed through the week while he gets high doses of methotrexate and asaparaginese. These treatments made him very sleepy and nauceous. When he would come home at the end of the week he would sleep through until about Saturday afternoon and then start to feel a little better. After being released last Thursday, he had to return on Friday because he was not doing well. Fortunately, he did not have to be admitted again. The doctor gave him off this week for the Thanksgiving holiday, but he had a follow up visit with her yesterday. Everything is moving along as planned and Mike has shown good progress thus far. She did spend some time talking with us about the possibility of a bone marrow transfer. She is attending a conference next weekend where she will hear the latest research and recommendations on transplants for patients with ALL. Mike is on the fence at this point because he is not being treated as child or as an adult. Of the ALL patients, less than 5% are in Mike's age range. He is getting a combination of the pediatric treatment plan and the adult treatment protocol. I admit, I was a little shaken as she described the 100 day transplant process and informed us that the fatality rate is up to 3% for patients who do not respond well. I pray that we do not have to walk down that road. Mike will return on Monday for one more week of this phase. After he is released next week, he will not have to return again for anything in December and his treatments will continue again after the New Year. :) YAY!!! We are all very happy about that!

As Thanksgiving is among us, we are especially touched this year by how grateful we are, for so many things. Mike & I are personally asking that each of you take an extra moment to reflect on the blessings that surround you everyday. If you have a job...if you are in good health...if your mortgage or rent is paid this month...if you have insurance...if you have friends and family close by to celebrate this day with...if you have a car that gets you where you need to go...if you woke up next to your best friend this morning...if your children are happy and healthy...if you have food in your pantry or refrigerator...if you are filled by loving relationships... if you slept in a bed last night...if you have heat for your home & socks for your feet... ...PLEASE take that EXTRA moment today...close your eyes and imagine your life without each of these things.... Open your eyes and BE THANKFUL!

We love all of you so much and we are certainly so grateful for each of you and all of your prayers and support. We pray that you all have a very happy,safe & blessed Thanksgiving!!

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