Long time/No news, but some great stuff now!

I realized on the way home from Dartmouth last night that it has been over 2 weeks since I last wrote, and while I don't like going that long between updates, not much was happening. My last visit to Dartmouth was on Fri. June 6, shingles and all. I went down there while I was hooked up to my portable IV pump, and they went ahead and did a bone marrow biopsy (on the left side, since the right side is where the shingles were). I was unsure how I would feel afterwards as far as traveling back home after all that, but between the pain meds from the biopsy and the lingering effects of the anesthesia, we went ahead and drove home right after the procedure on Friday, arriving home late Fri. night. Not much happened since then, other than my shingles healing up and going away.
Yesterday, during our visit at Dartmouth, we got the results from the bone marrow biopsy 2 weeks ago, which was clear of disease, and also showed full chimerism (I continue to hold the donor graft, i.e. the transplant has fully "taken hold"). I began the day yesterday by having my first PET/CT scan since the transplant (it's usually done between Day 100 and 120, and I was at Day 111 yesterday). After getting some breakfast (I had to fast for the scan), having my labs drawn, going for a Pulmonary Function Test, and waiting almost 2 hours, we then saw Dr. Hill, and since there was such a time gap between the scan and seeing him, he was able to give us the results of the PET/CT right there! This has never happened before, and usually takes 2-3 days at minimum for him to get a look at the film. My scan, which was from top of my head to mid-thigh level SHOWED ABSOLUTELY NO SIGNS OF CANCER ANYWHERE! PRAISE GOD!!! This is the first completely clear PET scan I have ever had during this "unexpected journey", and it feels good to be on the road to remission (they don't use that word until you've been cancer free for at least 1 year, but I'm 1/3rd of the way there!)
We are very excited, but are "cautiously optimistic", as there are still 8 months to go to remission. Continue to pray with us that we'll get there! Thanks for all of your prayers and faithful support during this long and difficult journey. Rejoice with us at God's gracious hand upon us today!

home for my birthday!

I am being discharged from the hospital here in Brunswick shortly, and will be home for birthday dinner with Lisa and the kids! All the arrangements have been made to continue to get my IV treatments 3x/day at home through Sat., and I was able to get up with my dr. at Dartmouth, and we're going to keep the schedule down there this week, as long as the shingles and/or pain don't get worse or spread in the next day or two. So, sometime Thu., we'll head down to NH, and on Fri., I'll see my doc, get an IV treatment (different than what I'm getting here), and then have my Day 90 bone marrow biopsy. We plan to return home to Waldoboro on Sat. During this time, you can pray with us that:
1) pain would remain under control
2) the shingles would not spread and begin to resolve themselves
3) we would have safety driving down and back to NH
4) all would go smoothly with the home treatments this week

Thanks for continuing to check in and lift us up in prayer. I'll update again when we get home from NH, and sooner if something changes, so stay tuned!

shingles all the way!

I was admitted last night to Midcoast Hospital in Brunswick for IV treatment of shingles, and will probably be here for at least a couple days, perhaps up to a week. They would like to get the rash and pain under control, and then send me home to complete the 7-10 days of IV treatments there, but a lot is up in the air since it is the weekend – insurance coverage for home care, communication with my transplant doc @ Dartmouth, actual home care arrangements, etc.

Please pray with us that:

1) the shingles rash and pain would subside and not spread any further

2) arrangements would work out so that I could get back home ASAP, rather than spending a week in here – home by Tuesday would be great, as that is my birthday!

3) Safety for Lisa and the kids as they travel back and forth to visit.

I do have access to email and internet while I'm here.