June 30, 2010

One more round of chemotherapy to go!! We are now enjoying days of nice weather and feeling well. Ron had his last transfusions on Monday, June 21; then his blood counts returned to a satisfactory level. Today he has been washing windows, yesterday he mowed part of the yard, and we are enjoying pontoon rides on the lake. (sounds pretty normal to me!) Ron and our daughter, Niccole, have been riding bikes around the lake each morning.

We have enjoyed having our kids in the area more. It is fun seeing the grandchildren, and the kids have done some cooking for us and other yardwork and housework. Today we are celebrating our oldest grandchild's 9th birthday; this weekend we will potluck with relatives, and start to organize for our return to the University of Michigan Hospital next week Tuesday-Sunday. (July 6-11)

Ron received a booklet-style get well message from his high school classmates. It had individual greetings and there were pictures compiled from his school days. How awesome is that!? We continue to hear from friends of years past. It is a boost for both us; we truly appreciate hearing from all of you.

Think of Ron next week and send good thoughts his way. Remember son, Andrew, too who is serving in Iraq.

Sincerely,

Jan Hover

June 18, 2010

Ron's follow up blood tests and transfusions in June have been very similar to May's. It was good knowing the routine at the Coldwater,MI Hospital and Cancer Center. Now he is ending the transfusion dependent phase, and his counts should return to normal range soon. That means the last 10 days of June through July 5 should be a period of feeling better and having more energy.... which means that he can help mow the yard!
The kids and grandkids are starting to arrive for their summer visits, so we will have even more help and more fun, of course!
The last round of chemo will be 6 days of inpatient status at the University of Michigan Hospital starting July 6.
Happy Father's Day to the Dads, and have a great 4th of July holiday!
Jan

June 8 Update

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to let all of you know that Ron was back at U of M June1-6 as an inpatient at University Hospital. This was a scheduled visit for his 3rd round of chemotherapy; he has one more round in July. He had mostly the same doctors and nurses, and his room was in the same unit of the hospital, so that familiarity was comforting.

For these last 2 (June and July) rounds of chemotherapy I made reservations for a room at the Med Inn which is a hotel right in the hospital. Ron is a light sleeper, and the hospital routine keeps him awake frequently during the night, so each day he was able to leave the floor when treatment was done and rest in my room. I think both of us came home without feeling so totally exhausted this time. Three of Jan's Kenwood school friends visited us at the hospital on Tuesday; Cale, Jess, and kids came on Thursday, and Rick and Tammy visited Friday. We look forward to seeing all of the grandchildren later in the month. Andrew will still be in Iraq, but all of the others will be in the area. Niccole and Cole are planning to stay with us an extended period of time, so I am working on a list of chores for Cole.

The chemo continues to work as intended, so we head for the Cancer Center in Coldwater early tomorrow for bloodwork and most likely transfusions. This period of time is called "transfusion dependent" and lasts 7-10 days. This is the time when Ron's immunity is very low, so we cannot have visitors at home, and he wears a mask when we are out for doctor's appointments. This period of time is the most emotional and stressful for us, but we are okay; we know that he will feel good again the last week in June and July 1-6. We head back to Ann Arbor on July 6th.
Thanks for your expressions of support, prayers, and good thoughts streaming our way.

Love,
Jan

June 1 Update

The 2nd round of follow-up chemotherapy started today at U of M Hospital in Ann Arbor. Ron will be an in-patient June 1-6. We will plan to come home on Sunday afternoon. (There will be a 3rd and last round of chemo in July.)

The first 2 weeks that we are home after the chemo are challenging with low immunity and blood counts. This is the period of time where Ron requires blood and platelet transfusions, and risk of infection is a concern.

The last week has been wonderful with Ron feeling the best that he has since early March. The weather could not have been better, and we enjoyed being out on the lake and finishing up some things in the yard.

Just wanted to keep in touch with all of you--Love, Jan