June 24, 2011

Ron's doctor from Ann Arbor called this morning while we were at the hospital in Coldwater for his Friday blood test. Ron is not in remission. He had a bone marrow biopsy Tuesday. This means that he will have a longer hospital stay starting at some time in the next week to 12 days. His hospitalization will be at least 3 weeks. The good news is that a 10 for 10 match has been found to be his donor after he gets into remission. Thanks again for your many expressions of support. Jan

June 17, 2011

We are looking forward to the weekend! Ron has completed his regimen of IV antibiotics and has mostly recovered from the last round of chemo. He will return to U of M Medical Center Tuesday for a bone marrow biopsy. We are celebrating Father's Day weekend with Cale and Jess's family, Niccole, and Cole. I think the weather is going to cooperate with a good lake day. Matt and Kate's family will arrive for their stay at "wee cottage" the following weekend.
Ron's oncologist has scheduled the next round of chemotherapy to begin July 5. He will be hospitalized for 5 days. The search for a bone marrow donor continues. None of the kids is a match. The lab at U of M has 6 registry samples that they are testing further to find a conclusive match. We are in a holding pattern until a match is determined.
It is great having Niccole and Cole here to help us. Also our siblings have jumped in to do yardwork and other household jobs. I have enjoyed getting out in my gardens during this stay at home. It is therapeutic for me.
Thanks for your support in so many ways. Ron enjoys receiving texts, notes, and cards. We still have a long, difficult journey ahead of us but have found it comforting to be home. We get out on the pontoon most good weather days.
Ron & Jan

June 9, 2011

We are home! Ron spent 21 days in the hospital in Ann Arbor. His blood counts started to recover a few days ahead of schedule, so the doctor decided to wait and do the bone marrow biopsy about 2 weeks later, so we came home. He has a visiting nurse, and I have learned to do IV antibiotics. This is a continuation of treatment for a blood infection.
What is next? We are enjoying the lake and just being home. Our kitty, Blue, is so happy to have us at home. He will have his biopsy, a one day trip to AnnArbor, in about 10 days. A week later we will hear the results and what treatment is next. His next hospital stay will probably start after the 4th of July weekend. He continues to have blood tests 3 days a week. We are doing okay and getting into a routine again.
Love, Ron & Jan

Day 18 at U of M Medical Center

Ron's medical care has proceeded close to expectations with a new thing or two along the way. He has had fevers from a blood infection but two IV antibiotics are fighting that well. Today his blood counts finally seem to be slightly improving. Until his bone marrow has recovered from the chemotherapy, he receives platelets and blood transfusions...two of each yesterday.

14 possible donors were found in the national registry. One has sent a blood sample to U of M for further testing which is required to make a conclusive match based on additional factors. If there is no final match from the registry, the next step is finding one in the cord bank. We will be able to think about this more after Ron recovers from the chemotherapy. We are still trying to find acceptance in how our lives have changed again.

We continue to hope that we can return to Gilead Lake by June 15. Family has been caring for our 1.3 acre yard with multiple flower beds and potted plants. I had done a great deal of planting before Ron's diagnosis of relapse, and we have many perennials. We would be home 2-3 weeks before another stage of treatments brings us back to Ann Arbor. Love to all of you and a heartfelt thanks for your support in so many different ways. Ron & Jan