We spent three days in Seattle, going through preliminary tests with nurses and doctors to make sure I can physically handle the transplant process. We also signed a lot of papers, it felt a little like buying a house!
The doctor on Thursday let us know that we'd be pushing the procedure start date back a week and that we could go home during that week if we'd like. They need me to recover some of my levels from the last round of chemotherapy. So we drove back on Friday to surprise our kids Saturday morning. The first thing our 3-year old Norah asked me was, "Daddy are you better now?" It brings tears to my eyes- I so look forward to the day when my answer will be "YES!"
I have mixed feelings- it would be nice to get this over with and it will be hard to say goodbye to my kids a second time. On the other hand, it doesn't feel like I'm in an assembly line where the goal is to get me through as quick as possible. I'm glad that the staff in Seattle are taking into account my health status and what dates would give my optimal chances for success. I also feel like I know a little bit more what to expect.
We had a fun time with my brother Jared. He is a very limber guy- always jumping over banisters and the like. We got to spend a few hours at the Experience Music Project on Friday, which was really cool. I'm looking forward to living in downtown Seattle for a few months, especially those months where I'm recovering. I wouldn't want to live there long-term, but I've always thought it would be great for a short period of time. I'm glad that I'll have Christina with me and I'm hoping that this experience will bring us even closer together.
I was telling my son Michael last week that this experience feels a little bit like when I left for my mission. I felt strongly that it was something I should do, but it was still really hard to leave my family. But I felt then and I feel now that God is watching over us, that he has a plan for me, and that these experiences will be for my good. I believe that is true for everyone, but it's nice to feel a witness of it in my heart.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Sunday, June 23, 2013
Adventure awaits!
Christina talked to Doctor Maloney's nurse (at the SCCA) on Friday. Although my PET scan showed that the insidious invading lymphoma is not in complete remission, they aren't sure that more chemotherapy will completely eradicate it. While that sounds slightly ominous, it does mean that we are going to begin the bone marrow/stem cell transplant treatment. So, we're off to Seattle on Wednesday. As part of the conditioning treatment, I'll get more chemotherapy plus radiation to kill off any remaining lymphoma and prepare me to receive donor cells from my brother.
Speaking of brothers, I am fortunate to have five. As well as five sisters. We found out about two weeks ago that they had finished HLA typing my siblings and it turns out that I have 4 matching siblings, not just my youngest brother Jarom. And since Jarom is only 16, my doctors would like to use my brother Jared as a donor in his stead. All of us siblings are really close and I'm so grateful to all of them for being willing to save my life- Jarom is awesome and I hope he knows I'd be proud to have some of his cells running through my veins! Jared is a great man and I'm hoping that some of his greatness comes to me through his blood :)
I am grateful to all of you for your friendship and love. Going through this has been a truly humbling experience. I had no idea that so many people would show so much love to me and my family. I get choked up when I talk about it. Thank you so much, it really does mean the world to me.
YOU ARE ALL MY HEROES!
Thank you to my colleagues at PNNL for being there for me and for generously organizing a fund drive to help my family. When I heard that a goal of 10,000 had been set, I thought it was wishful thinking. I had no idea people would be so generous to me and my family.
Thank you to my church family for organizing a garage sale for our family. In my mind, I thought a yard sale would turn up maybe 2 or 3 thousand dollars for us. I'm still trying to understand how 11,000 were raised. I'm grateful that finances are not the first thing on my mind right now.
Thank you to everyone who has written a note, stopped by to visit, do some yard-work, prepared meals for our daunting crew or even liked a Facebook post. All of the encouragement really adds up! I want you to know that I truly care about you as well!
Thank you for your prayers, they are almost tangible in my life right now. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over my family. I know that he loves us all and wants us to be happy. I feel like most of my life I've stumbled through a dark forest, seeing a little bit of His light through the trees to guide my way. Right now I feel like I've reached a little clearing where the light is stronger. I'm grateful for that light, it makes this challenge bearable. Sometimes it's hard to have faith because there are so many opportunities for doubt. I've felt that way before, but I've managed to stay on the path and now I'm now enjoying a beautiful vista. In the future my path may not always be as well lit, but I'm grateful for this experience in the sun, it has renewed me.
Farewell for now. I'll keep posting while in Seattle and let you know of the gruesome horrors they put me through in the name of healing me. I look forward to coming back to you all after a successful procedure.
Speaking of brothers, I am fortunate to have five. As well as five sisters. We found out about two weeks ago that they had finished HLA typing my siblings and it turns out that I have 4 matching siblings, not just my youngest brother Jarom. And since Jarom is only 16, my doctors would like to use my brother Jared as a donor in his stead. All of us siblings are really close and I'm so grateful to all of them for being willing to save my life- Jarom is awesome and I hope he knows I'd be proud to have some of his cells running through my veins! Jared is a great man and I'm hoping that some of his greatness comes to me through his blood :)
I am grateful to all of you for your friendship and love. Going through this has been a truly humbling experience. I had no idea that so many people would show so much love to me and my family. I get choked up when I talk about it. Thank you so much, it really does mean the world to me.
YOU ARE ALL MY HEROES!
Thank you to my colleagues at PNNL for being there for me and for generously organizing a fund drive to help my family. When I heard that a goal of 10,000 had been set, I thought it was wishful thinking. I had no idea people would be so generous to me and my family.
Thank you to my church family for organizing a garage sale for our family. In my mind, I thought a yard sale would turn up maybe 2 or 3 thousand dollars for us. I'm still trying to understand how 11,000 were raised. I'm grateful that finances are not the first thing on my mind right now.
Thank you to everyone who has written a note, stopped by to visit, do some yard-work, prepared meals for our daunting crew or even liked a Facebook post. All of the encouragement really adds up! I want you to know that I truly care about you as well!
Thank you for your prayers, they are almost tangible in my life right now. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over my family. I know that he loves us all and wants us to be happy. I feel like most of my life I've stumbled through a dark forest, seeing a little bit of His light through the trees to guide my way. Right now I feel like I've reached a little clearing where the light is stronger. I'm grateful for that light, it makes this challenge bearable. Sometimes it's hard to have faith because there are so many opportunities for doubt. I've felt that way before, but I've managed to stay on the path and now I'm now enjoying a beautiful vista. In the future my path may not always be as well lit, but I'm grateful for this experience in the sun, it has renewed me.
Farewell for now. I'll keep posting while in Seattle and let you know of the gruesome horrors they put me through in the name of healing me. I look forward to coming back to you all after a successful procedure.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Dates and choices
On June 10 I will be going to Kadlec for another PET scan to determine if the insidious cancerous t-cells have been successfully eradicated or if I need to go through another round of chemotherapy. I'll find out the results on June 12.
The good news is that Dr. Patel feels confident that we'll have the cancer on the run and be able to go up to Seattle. In fact, we have scheduled with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to begin treatment on Wednesday, June 26.
Last week was my last cycle of my six-cycle chemo regimen. The nurses all came and sang, "hit the road, Jack" to me. It was very sweet of them- they have all been so great! It really hit me that I could be done with this stage of the cancer battle. I've been so focused on the stem-cell procedure that the end of the chemotherapy has snuck by me.
I've been very blessed during these treatments. I know that they can be very hard on people and I feel like I've gotten by relatively lightly.
I'm leaving work this week. It's hard- I like my job a lot and really love the people I work with. I know that my coworkers are facing some busy months ahead. But it's getting harder and harder to get forty hours in each week. I also feel like I should spend a few weeks with my kids before leaving them for several months.
I've been thinking about choices lately. From an early age I was taught that what we get out of life is a result of the choices that we make. I knew that who I would marry would depend on who I dated and what kind of man I became. I knew that my future job would depend on how I did in school or applied myself at my work.
Now I'm going through an illness where many choices have been taken away from me. And yet I'm grateful for the choices that I still have open to me. It's a narrower set of choices, but I know that they still matter.
The good news is that Dr. Patel feels confident that we'll have the cancer on the run and be able to go up to Seattle. In fact, we have scheduled with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance to begin treatment on Wednesday, June 26.
Last week was my last cycle of my six-cycle chemo regimen. The nurses all came and sang, "hit the road, Jack" to me. It was very sweet of them- they have all been so great! It really hit me that I could be done with this stage of the cancer battle. I've been so focused on the stem-cell procedure that the end of the chemotherapy has snuck by me.
I've been very blessed during these treatments. I know that they can be very hard on people and I feel like I've gotten by relatively lightly.
I'm leaving work this week. It's hard- I like my job a lot and really love the people I work with. I know that my coworkers are facing some busy months ahead. But it's getting harder and harder to get forty hours in each week. I also feel like I should spend a few weeks with my kids before leaving them for several months.
I've been thinking about choices lately. From an early age I was taught that what we get out of life is a result of the choices that we make. I knew that who I would marry would depend on who I dated and what kind of man I became. I knew that my future job would depend on how I did in school or applied myself at my work.
Now I'm going through an illness where many choices have been taken away from me. And yet I'm grateful for the choices that I still have open to me. It's a narrower set of choices, but I know that they still matter.
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