May 13th - The Dr.'s Protocol

Mom & Dad met with the nurse, dietitian, and social worker to go over what happens during the transplant.  We also had a family conference with Dr. Asch to discuss the protocol for the transplant.  Dr. Asch said that she went to the national data base to find someone else who had the exact same Leukemia that Pops has so that she could compare the protocol for the treatment for him and there is no one who has survived to get a transplant.  Whoa!  Very humbling.  So basically Dr. Asch & Dr. Petersen had to sit down and design the protocol themselves.  Dad is the first person to have this type of chemo treatment that they designed.  The Dr.'s also said that if he is alive in 3 years they want to write a case study on him because no one with his type of Leukemia has ever made it this far.  Another miracle :)

May 11th

He had a pulmonary test, echo cardiogram, and an EKG today to further the preparation. 

May 10th

He went to the dentist today for an exam, which he won't be able to have another one for at least 1 year after the transplant. All his teeth and gums have improved remarkably because he is in remission now.  Before he was diagnosed with Leukemia he was having all kinds of dental issues with his gums, teeth, and a root canal, which we later discovered that it was all caused from his syndrome and Leukemia.

Also, Edris was examined and her blood was tested and she is in great physical health to proceed forward as the donor.  Dr. Hoda told Edris that everyone liked to work with Dad because he is always so cheerful and pleasant.  He asked her if Dad is always that cheerful :)  Dr. Hoda also told her that once Dad received the bone marrow transplant it would be up to a higher source because the Dr.'s wouldn't be able to do anything more.  Edris told him, "Well we believe in a higher source".  Good thing he and the higher source have a good relationship :)

May 5th

He had lab work and chest x-rays to check everything thoroughly so that he would be able to handle the transplant.

CANCER FREE!

The biopsy results show no leukemia!  This has been a miracle for how fast he has gone into remission.  The doctors didn't expect him to go into remission at all.  They were just buying him 12-18 months more of life.  Dr. Petersen even commented himself how miraculous this is!  The next step is to get him stronger and prepare him for a bone marrow transplant within 2 weeks.

Jared's Graduation from UVU

He was so excited to be able to attend Jared's graduation celebration from UVU.  Family pics and Tucanos was enjoyed.

April 28th

He had another bone marrow biopsy.