Tuesday, May 31, 2011

We are sending out a special thanks to all Veterans for their service to our country. Ron and I did miss some of the traditions that we have followed for our Memorial Day weekends.

It was great to have son Andrew and daughter Niccole visit us for the weekend. Each one of us had special alone time with Ron, and I was able to have dinner with the kids. One of the evenings there was a tornado warning, so we experienced the hospital's drill routine. Ron is now in the period of time where he is transfusion dependent and has very low immunity, so we cannot venture away from the hospital. He wears a mask when out of the room, and we can go outside for a brief period of time.

We did find out that Ron's brother Rick is not a bone marrow match, so on to Plan B which is to find a match in the national registry. All of the kids are being tested too; they have a 1-5% chance of being a match. We will go step by step to see what needs to be done.

Five Days of Chemotherapy Completed

A lot has happened in the first week of Ron's hospitalization. He has completed his FLAG regimen of chemotherapy. He was given two types of chemo and tolerated it well. His appetite has greatly diminished, but nausea is controlled very well.

He will remain hospitalized for up to 3 more weeks as his bloodcounts and any other issues are treated. He has started having platelet transfusions daily. The care here is excellent and any test is done and monitored quickly. The support of our "staff friends" many of whom we know from last year's hospitalizations has been wonderful.

By about June 3 we will know if Rick, Ron's brother, is a tissue match for a bone marrow transplant. In 2 weeks Ron will have a bone marrow biopsy, and we will know if he is back in remission. Then the next course of action can be determined. It is an emotional roller coaster.

We feel the support being sent from family and friends...such a blessing for both of us.

Treatment has begun!

Chemotherapy started today. Ron is receiving 2 types of IV infusions. The first lasts 30 minutes; then 4 hour wait, and the 2nd infusion lasts 4 hours. His treatment is approximately 1:00 - 9:30 PM. We are hopeful that he will not become nauseous. He did not with previous chemo. This regimen is called FLAG.

Ron's brother, Rick, will meet with Dr. Bixby (Ron's doctor) tomorrow and also have a blood test to determine if he is a donor match for Ron's bone marrow transplant. (also called stem cell transplant) A sibling has a 1 in 4 chance of being a match.

Below is Ron's more specific address. He is in a private room so will stay here when his immunity and bloodcounts are low. He has many of the same nurses that were here a year ago. That has been comforting and welcoming. The University of Michigan Medical Center is amazing.

Ron Hover

UMMC/8B Room 8422

1500 E. Medical Center Drive

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5112

Ron returning to U of M Hospital - Ann Arbor, MI

Ron is beginning treatment that is expected to take a few months to full recovery. His treatment will start with chemotherapy-- the goal being a return to remission from acute myeloid leukemia. This first stay in the hospital will last about a month.

His treatment will continue with a transplant which is a process that will take us through the summer months. Thanks to all of you for your support in the past. We should know a great deal more about this process in the next days. I will periodically add to this blog to keep you informed.

Update May 2011

We found out yesterday that my Dad's leukemia has returned. He will be returning to University of Michigan Medical Center to start another round of treatment next Wednesday. I don't have a lot of details yet, but my Mom and I plan to update the blog as we learn more.

I know that all of your messages, letters, and cards meant a lot to my parents last year...I know they would appreciate any words of support.

Home Address:
743 Gilead Shores Dr
Bronson MI 49028

Hospital Address:
University of Michigan Medical Center
Floor 8
1500 E Medical Center Dr
Ann Arbor MI 48109

Email:
ronlhover@gmail.com

Thanks,
Cale