Enjoying Time at Gilead Lake

Ron was able to come home Friday, July 29, after 24 days of hospitalization at the University of Michigan Medical Center. This regimen of chemo was called MEC, and he continues to recover from its effects. He will have blood tests 3 times a week while home. We will make return day trips to Ann Arbor twice during our 2 1/2 weeks at home; those days will be filled with tests and information gathering for the blood marrow transplant. Ron's primary doctor at U of M will change from his oncologist to his transplant specialist.
Our family has done a fantastic job of maintaining the yard, gardens, beach area, and the lake house. We enjoyed going out on the pontoon yesterday and seeing how much everything had grown during this hot summer weather. It felt great just going grocery shopping this morning and reading the Sunday paper. All of the kids and their families will be visiting during this time we are home. (but not all at the same time:} Our kitty, Blue, is being very clingy, and my sister has agreed to be his sitter during the time we are gone starting in August.
We have felt the presence of everyone's support. It means a great deal to both of us.
A most sincere thanks, Ron & Jan

Friday, July 22, 2011

Such good news today to hear that Ron's biopsy was leukemia free! As in the past, we were cautioned that the leukemia could return, but this is where he needs to be to move ahead with the transplant in August. His blood counts should recover enough to go home in 7-10 days. Then he will return for admission August 17. We wanted to share our good news with all of you.
Love, Ron & Jan

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

We feel like we are at a major crossroad in Ron's treatment for acute myeloid leukemia. He had his bone marrow biopsy this afternoon, and it will determine the path to his stem cell (bone marrow) transplant in August. Ideally, it will show no leukemia cells or less than 5%. If not, he will have another biopsy following an additional week without the medication that assists his weakened marrow to produce red and white blood cells. With his immunity and blood counts low, he continues to have transfusions and is now on IV antibiotics. He also has antiviral and anti fungal medication. The best case scenario is to be home at Gilead Lake about July 28.
The hospital admittance for the transplant is August 17. We will be living in Ann Arbor 4 months, and we have an apartment reserved for this period of time. It continues to remain a challenge to adjust to each new piece of information regarding treatment and the "what ifs". We also continue to be humbled by the genuine bonds and concern of Ron's caregivers here at the University of Michigan Medical Center... in addition to the top notch medical care. Along with the support we feel from family and friends, it is powerful stuff.
A most sincere thanks to all,
Ron & Jan

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Ron is into the period of time called "transfusion dependent". As he says, his life has been driven by blood tests for over 15 months but it is especially so during the 2 weeks after each round of chemotherapy. This afternoon he is receiving 2 units of blood after a bout of low blood pressure. He will have platelets transfused tomorrow. Wednesday he will have a bone marrow biopsy which will determine how the next 2 weeks proceed. We have enjoyed having Niccole and Matt both in Michigan, so they can visit. Cale and his family also drove up and visited us this weekend. Then Andrew's family will be back to Michigan in August.
Love to all,
Ron & Jan

Chemotherapy Day 5 of 6 Days

Things have progressed smoothly during Ron's first week of hospitalization for his sixth round of chemotherapy. The next 7-10 days he will become dependent on transfusions as the chemo continues to do its work. We will be at the hospital at least two more weeks. Ron now has to take increased precautions for low immunity. His diet is modified, and he wears a mask when walking on the floor. Niccole, Cole, Jim Treeger, Matt, and Kate have visited; always good to have them visit and helps the time pass more quickly.
One of the new ( to Ron) chemo drugs is Michigan blue when it goes in. We continue to be a fan of the hospital but are true to the Buckeye Nation!
Love to all of you,
Jan

July 5, 2011

As was scheduled in advance by Ron's oncologist at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ron has been admitted for his sixth round of chemotherapy. He will be a patient here for at least 3 weeks. His hospital address is:

Ron Hover
UMMC. 8B. Rm 8429
1500 E. Medical Center Drive
Ann Arbor, MI. 48109-5112

Ron is working toward remission. An excellent donor has been located through the National Marrow Registry, and he has agreed to being Ron's donor at the end of August. He was a 10 for 10 match who has the same blood type as well. He is the same age as our son, Matt, so I can only imagine that he too is at a very busy time in his life. I hope that we will be able to learn more about him.

It was a strange combination of familiarity, comfort, trust, and fear as we entered the hospital again. Ron has done his preliminary admittance routine, and the next event will be a review of treatment by the doctor, and an xray to make sure that his PICC line is still in correct position to start administering the chemotherapy. That "permanent" IV makes bloodtests and IV meds so much easier and comfortable for him.

Thanks for your continued support in a myriad of ways.
Love, Ron & Jan