Piano Solo

If you have never been to Mayo, there is a beautiful open space where many major halls converge, the ceilings are high and even appear higher as there is a balcony over it with more halls.  One side is mainly windows and there is a huge figure of a man who is "reaching up to God for healing".  By the windows is a baby grand piano by which thousands of people will pass by daily on their way to various appointments.  Today Michael was finishing up a test and I went to the pharmacy.  On the way out to meet Michael--there he was on the piano playing.  He played many heartfelt pieces beautifully.  One of the songs he played was "Alleluiah".  Wish you could have been there!!
Today, Michael had nine appointments/tests.  It was a long day that included a bone marrow biopsy (with anesthesia), CT scans, EKG and chest x-ray.  The chest x-ray looked good, but we may have to wait until Tuesday before we know about the CT and PET scans, which are more definitive.  His blood work today was pretty good, except the Lymphocytes are not bouncing back yet.
We met with a member of the Transplant Team today and began the process of education on the process, more on that later.
Mark is doing well and on target to get home tomorrow.
More tests for Michael tomorrow, but not as many.  Thank you so much for all of your concern and prayers.

Mark's surgery went well

Mark's surgery is done and everything is looking good.  Hopefully, home by Friday.  Thanks to all at home for your help.  And thank you for all of your prayers.

Michael's Post

Don't miss Michael's post from earlier today!!!

labs today and a tentative schedule

We enjoyed Mark and Melissa's (and Mae dog's) visit over the weekend.  Michael slept a lot, but we went out to The Restaurant, and had a very nice dinner and a chance to get caught up.  Michael had met one of the owners of The Restaurant, Chris, when we were at the Gift of Life House.  Michael was working with Chris on a project to increase the availability of meals, fresh fruits and vegetables that could be provided to the Gift of Life House. He is still working on that, but so far it is in the planning stages, but a very worthwhile and needed program.  But, at least we know of a really good place to eat.

Mark's prostate surgery is this Wednesday, everything at this time looks like it should go smoothly, and hopefully he will be home in 1-2 days.  

Michael's labs today were pretty good, but still could be dropping in the next few days, so he will have to be careful to avoid infection, that includes no fresh fruit or vegetables.  The white count is down, which is expected and the Lymphocytes are coming up which is what we want to see.

Then today, Michael was given a print out of what and when his tests will be.  The tests we are really waiting on are the CTs and PET scan.  At this point the CT will be this Thursday and the PET will be Monday.  These will determine the course of treatment for now.  The PET will probably be the most definitive (and we should know the results by next Tuesday).   An excellent response to the chemo is what we are praying for and that will mean he will proceed with the transplant.  The schedule Michael got today is for 35 tests and or meetings with doctors, etc in the next weeks.  I think we need a bigger calendar!

We are finally getting settled in our new place and I am able to find almost everything.  This suite is great for Michael and for me, in that he has his own room and I have my own kitchen!  I need to get going on some tacos for dinner.

Thank you so much for your concern and your prayers.  We really appreciate them so much this week, with Mark's surgery and as we wait for the test results for Michael.  Thank you!!!!

Hello Everybody

I first wanted to thank everyone for all of the love and support they’ve given me.  I am grateful that so many people are surrounding me with warm thoughts and powerful prayers.  It motivates me that much more to fight hard and keep going.  I was really looking forward to going back to school and getting into the swing of things this Fall, but of course that’s not the way things turned out.  I’m ok with that and in fact I am very optimistic and truly without fear.

The problem is I have no idea whether or not the treatment is actually working.  It’s quite a strange feeling being in the dark about something so important.  It’s only been a few weeks but it feels like I’m perpetually suspended on the edge.  On one hand, the cancer is gone and the transplant is a complete success so I get right back into classes following my dreams and aspirations, on the other hand, the treatment doesn’t work and I must continue down a dark, unknown road.  As a very sane person, it can almost be enough to drive you crazy. 

The two sides could not be any more different, any more extreme.  Not knowing which path I’m currently on has had an interesting effect on me.  I feel like I’ve never had such little concern about life than I have now.  But somehow I also feel like I’ve never cared more.  I feel like this perspective has given me so much insight and knowledge about life, something that most people don’t understand or appreciate until far later on in their lives.  It has very much had a profound impact on who I am.

I get the tests results in about a week’s time.  Hopefully the scan comes back clean and I can start the stem cell transplant.  I might even be able to go to school in January if everything goes well.  If the scan shows still shows signs of cancer, I’ll almost certainly get more chemotherapy and maybe some alternative treatment.  I’m so fortunate to have my mother here with me, guiding and supporting me every single step of the way.  She’s made this entire situation bearable.  We’re hoping for the best this week, but whatever happens, I’m 100 percent ready for it.

Thanks again.  And keep the prayers coming!!!!

Transplant Team in Contact

We have moved into our new home and it is quite comfortable, hopefully this will be the last move while in Rochester.  Mark and Melissa are coming up for a visit over the weekend--that will be nice!  Michael is doing well, his labs today are pretty good, but will be dropping in the next few days.
The Transplant Team talked with Michael yesterday and are ready to start moving quickly on the transplant, depending on the PET or CT scans which could be as early as a week from now.
We will probably find out on Monday when the scans will take place.
If the tumor has responded well, the transplant process will begin.  If not, it will be more chemo or a change in chemo.  We're ready for the transplant!!
Thank your for your continued prayers for Michael.

NEW ADDRESS!!

Michael got out of the hospital late last evening.  He tolerated the chemo well.  His main side effect is being very tired.  We caught the last half of the Chiefs game today, a good game until the end.  Tomorrow, he will start having the labs drawn and if like last time the really low point for his white counts will be in about a week.
This Tuesday and Wednesday we will be moving. The Gift of Life House is such a beautiful place to stay and everyone has been so nice, but with the group kitchen, it is quite time consuming and hard on my knees--avoiding more knee surgery now sounds like a good plan.
Where we will be moving to is:


  The Town Place Suites, 2829 43rd St NW, Rochester, MN 55901.


In addition to having our own kitchen, Michael will have his own bedroom, and both of these as well as being a really nice change, will make it easier to keep him isolated when his counts are low.  It even will have cable!
We appreciate and we thank you for every one of your prayers!! 

2nd round of chemo to start anytime

Michael's blood counts were okay to start chemo today.  His Neutrophils (which fight infection) are at 1/4 of what they were at the start of the last round.  That is expected, but we would appreciate your specific prayers as we had requested last time.  The prayers we would appreciate are for his Neutrophils and Lymphocytes to bounce back quickly from the chemo, his heart to stay strong and the chemo to blast the tumor by his heart away.
We saw Dr Colgan, the Hematologist, today and he said Michael is on target to get a PET scan about three weeks from now.  If the tumor has responded well, he will proceed with testing prior to the Stem Cell Transplant.  If not the response desired, then he will get more chemo before the Transplant.
Michael is in the hospital like last time, as it is a long regimen of infusion.  He should get out Saturday night or Sunday morning.  For some reason, Michael doesn't like hospital food, so he had Arby's instead.  He's got a laptop and cable TV so he's pretty set.  The last round of chemo he tolerated well; he was mainly tired.
Thank you so much for every prayer, we appreciate so much your support!!

Going in the right direction

Michael's counts are going up.  His Neutrophils are edging up as are his Lymphocytes.  If this continues, he will get his second round of chemo this Thursday. 

Michael is doing well, mainly tired at times.  This last weekend, we went to the Farmer's Market, which is only minutes from us, and loaded up on lots of veggies for juicing.  Then Saturday evening we saw the move Wall Street.

Sunday, we went to Applebee's and watched the Chief's game.  Not the best game, but it was good to see the Chief's.  The weather up here has still been very nice--a beautiful Indian Summer.

Tonight, the Our Lady of Lourdes High School brought in a fabulous pot luck for everyone at the Gift of Life House.  It was a nice break for everyone here.

Thank you all for your prayers.

Labs good today

The Neutrophils came back up to 1300 today, which takes Michael out of isolation.  His Lymphocytes are slowly creeping back as well.  Michael still has to be careful, but we were able to go to Applebee's tonight.  Since we are in Minnesota every TV at Applebee's had the game with the Twins and Yankees, but when we left it didn't look good for the Twins.
Michael will get labwork again on Monday and Thursday.  As far as we know, he will get his next round of chemo starting next Thursday if his labs continue to improve.  Michael has been doing light work outs, T'ai Chi (a technique of exercise and meditation), hours on his keyboarding and computer and he's been working on a project (more on that later).
One of my goals was to give Michael a lot of time to himself, but I have found that has not been a problem as the routine for shopping, cleaning and meal preparation is quite time consuming here.  I am always thinking I will get more accomplished the next day, and one of these days it is bound to happen.
One of the hard things about living here is there are no TVs in the rooms--only about 5 for the whole house of about 100 people--ouch. But if we are lucky we can find one at 10:00, like we were able to tonight and watch the Daily Show and the Colbert Report, a good way to relax at the end of a long day.
Hopefully, nothing new here until Monday.  Hoping all of you have a good weekend.
Thank you so much for your concern and for all of your prayers.

Neutrophils down

Michael had labs today.  The last time was Thursday and the Neutrophils were hit really hard.  We didn't expect they would drop that much today.  But, the nurse was not.  They went from 5700 to 350.  But, hopefully the Neulasta shot will be kicking in soon.  Earlier today he was out without a mask, but now he has to wear one when he is out to protect him from infection.  The Lymphocytes are showing a slight increase which is good.  Michael has been feeling good and has been on his laptop and keyboard most of the evening.  Thank you so much for your prayers and we thank you so much for those who are praying special prayers for the chemo to blast the tumor away, for his heart to be protected and for the Neutrophils and Lymphocytes to bounce back quickly and to stay strong.  Thank you!!

Room 62

I forgot to add the room number to the address--we're in 62.