WE ARE HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is NO place like HOME!! We got great news on Thursday of last week. Our doctor visit was at 3:45 and he gave us the go ahead to come HOME!! I want you all to know that we literally ran back to the hotel, threw everything in the car, and we were on the road home by 4:30!!!! No one had to tell us twice....LOL. We decided on the way we weren't going to tell anyone, we wanted to surprise them all. On the road my daughter called and wanted to know what all the noise in the background was....so I had to confess to her we were on the road coming home. But I told her not to tell our grand daughter Kailyn. I wanted to surprise her and pick her up at school on Friday, and surprised she was!! Don also surprise his Mother by going to the rehab hospital she has been at since her back surgery, she was so surprised she cried...the nurses were also in on the whole thing, and they cried too. But the best of all was today....when Don and I walked into our Sunday School classroom and shocked all of them. It was the best reunion. It is soooo good to be back.
Folks, alot of people like Houston, but Don and I missed the quiet of Tioga. The green grass, tree's, no sirens at night, no shuttle to catch, and most of all our FAMILY!!!! God is so good, and we praise HIM for letting this happen. He has cured my husband and brought us both back home TOGETHER!! Many thanks to all who kept up with our journey on this blog. And for all the prayers, cards, calls, and love...WE THANK YOU ALL!
MUCH LOVE,
Don and Kathi

So nice to be together again at the hotel!

Well....Don and I are together again at our "home away from home." He finally got a good nights sleep without a nurse waking him up every two hours for vitals. He has found out real quick that he can't take the heat outside. He MUST have air conditioning. So I don't think he will want to be going golfing as soon as we get home. His skin is very sensitive, and the least little bit of sunlight and heat he breaks out in a rash. They say this will get better with time. We had clinical's today at the doctor's office. His counts are still looking good. No news yet as to when we can go home, but this "Dorothy" is ready to start clicking her heals together....."There's no place like home....there's no place like home.....
Blessings,
Kathi

Hallelujah....we are leaving the hospital.

Don has been doing so well, his blood counts are back to normal!! The doctor says he can leave the hospital tomorrow. He will now go to the hospital outpatient for awhile. Daily visits to do lab's and clinical visit to his doctor. The doctor will decide when we get to leave here and come back home. Not for a couple more weeks I am sure. They want to do a P.E.T. scan, a bone marrow test and remove his CVC Catheter before we can return home. Yesterday Don and I attended a Discharge Class. They gave us all the do's and don'ts for the next six months or so. His immune system will be very fragile. Looks like he gets out of cutting our grass for six months...hehe. But it also looks like he will be doing more golfing and less fishing for awhile. We can continue to see all our family at Sunday School, but will have to stay away from the crowds at church service. Lots of rules, but all for his best interest. So if you see him wearing his mask in public for awhile you will know why.
Hope to see you all before much longer,
Don and Kathi

Let me Clarify

Let me explain. The day Don Engrafted we sent out many text messages to people telling them in all our excitment. Then I got many calls and e mails asking what that meant. Sorry I didnt explain. That means his stem cell transplant was a SUCCESS!!!!! His stem cells have taken hold and are growing his new immune system! So he now has a new birthday....his THIRD!! God has given him life THREE TIMES!! He is able to eat some now, and is walking the floor here on the eleventh floor. His white blood cell count is continuing to rise. He has recieved two more pints of blood and will soon be recieving more platlets. We look for the day before too long that he can return to the hotel with me, and become an outpatient. After a little while outpatient we will be able to return to our REAL HOME!!! Hallelujah. Please join us in thanking our dear LORD GOD for all the blessings.
Love to all,
Don and Kathi

HALLELUJAH.....WE HAVE ENGRAFTMENT!!!!!!!

We have ENGRAFTMENT TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Don has a new birthday! We got his white blood cell count. Zero point ONE!!!! It may sound like a little one to you, but its a very BIG one to us. It will go up and up from here. Don celebrated this morning with his favorite Blue Bell ice cream. GOD IS SOOO GOOD! He rested well last night and is feeling better. His red blood cell count is down some, not to worry though. He will be getting two pints of blood today and maybe platlets. By tomorrow I expect him to be walking the halls around here again. It is a day to celebrate. Thanks so much everyone for your support and prayers. Believe me we have felt them all.
Much Love from BOTH of us,
Don and Kathi

Doc say's don't panic!

Don had a rough night last night, with fever most of it. We had an oriental nurse who was very determined to lower it. She packed him in ice for part of the night. Steriods were administerd and seem to lower it a bit. Today the doctor's came in and said that fever is pretty common for stem cell transplant patients and that Don is actually still on track. Our doctor for the next two weeks is Dr. Ueno from Japan. I asked him about Don not eating anything...and he said..FORGET ABOUT IT!! And he laughted. He said he is getting enough i.v. fluids and to not worry. For a minute I thought he was trying to imitate the Seprano's..hehe.
There are so many doctor's and nurses here from all over the world. We have had the priveledge to have a doctor from Italy, one from Sweden, and now one from Japan. We have had nurses from Vietnam, the Phillipines, India, Ireland, China, and now one from...guess where? HOUSTON!! He is a minority, just like we are here. I have met several people at our hotel from all over the world as well. India, Iraq, New Zealand, England, and Australia. Alot of them dress in the garments from their native land. It has been quit an experience. Most all the staff here at the hospital are super. You can tell they have all been hand picked as the best. I feel comfortable knowing Don is getting such good care.
For now....he is snoring away in his hospital bed...a welcome sound. Hope tonight will be a more comfortable night.
Thanks for all your prayers.
Blessings,
Kathi

Problems!!

Today is Don's day seven. He is not feeling well at all. He has now developed a fever...sign of infection somewhere. They are doing blood work, and now a chest x ray to determine the problem. PLEASE pray for the infection to go away very soon. He also has such bad sores in this throat he hasnt eaten all day. He cant swollow. I am spending the night with him tonight at the hospital and I will try and carry this laptop with me. More later.
Kathi

Day FIVE

Don is on day five today. Just as I thought he did bottom out today. His white blood cell count was 0.0 You can't get any less than that!! Red blood cell count was 2.51 His Hemoglobin was low also so he recieved another pint of blood. He took a really good nap today, which he needed big time. And then he managed to walk some tonight. Just a few laps around the nurses stations and very slowly. His mouth is sore, so food today was soft. He loved the pudding and the hot chocolate. He might not eat much, but whatever he can get down and however much he can. We expect his count will start going up in a couple days. I pray very soon. Engraftment is between seven and ten days from recieving his stem cells. We are praying for seven of course...that would be this Thursday. Right now...he says he just wants to start feeling better, he is kinda puney.
Good news about his Mom, we heard she was moved to rehab today. She required a second back surgery, but is feeling much better now and getting around slowly. We have been keeping in touch as much as possible via phone. It is hard not being there for her.
Thanks for all your e cards, phone calls, and most of all prayers. We can't seem to thank you all enough.
Mucho Blessings from us both.
Don and Kathi

Blood Counts are down!!

Just as we were warned Don's blood counts dropped today. His white blood cell count is 1.5. He should bottom out completely by tomorrow. I know that sounds really bad, and it is dangerous of course....but this is part of the process. It is the part I have been afraid of. He will be sick for about five days now they tell me. Like he has the flu. But since he has zero immune system during this phase, we must be very very careful. He is in isolation now. He is still in his same room, but no visitors at this time. They still let me in, they havent kicked me out yet..LOL. And they better not try either!!!!!! He has developed mouth sores. He hates those. You can't hardly eat anything. And he is very weak. Now is when we experiment with what he can eat. Nothing sounds good to him. Ice cream maybe, he loves ice cream. He will be sleeping more now. Rest is what he needs. A nurse today told me about Aug. 5th he should be feeling better. You all pray he has NO complications or problems now. And soon his counts will be coming back up. I will keep everyone posted.
Blessings,
kathi

Our Day TWO.

As I already told you all, after your stem cell day you start counting to 30. We are on our day two. I have been writing the day count on Don's dry erase board on the wall in his room. Along with picture's our grand daughters drew for him, and pictures of all our loved ones.
He is doing great. He does have spell's of nausea, but that is to be expected. They give him med's for it, and it hasnt gotten too out of control just yet. Today the nurses on our floor had a BINGO day for all the patients and caregivers. They have some kind of event every day around here. Mind you this is only on the eleventh floor that I know of, the nurses themselves got this together. They try really hard around here to help make your experience a little more pleasant. I enjoyed playing BINGO today, but Don won twice!! I didn't win once...! When I left him tonight to return to the hotel he was putting his jigsaw puzzle together he had won. It does help pass the time.
They told us today that when your blood counts start dropping, it is sometimes sudden. One day you feel pretty good, and then WAM!! So far Don's counts have not been dropping. They check them every morning. However he is starting to feel a little "yuk"!
I noticed tonight as I marked off another day on our calendar, that July is almost gone. Gosh...I feel like we missed the entire summer. School will soon be starting. But I am so glad alot of our time here has already passed. I know alot of people love Houston...but I think Don and I would rather see Tioga..LOL.
We have had alot of our friends calling us. It is wonderful to hear from you all. We feel so loved. Don says it is so humbling to know so many people are praying for him. He told me he feels unworthy. Thank you all so much.
Blessings and Love,
Don and Kathi

STEM CELL DAY!!!!!

Well...the day has come for Don to recieve his own stem cells back! DAY 0. Yesterday he had his last chemo and one he has never had before. It was a very short chemo..only 30 minutes. He had to suck on ice for two and a half hours during and after the chemo. They tell us it is the the most powerful of all chemo's he has ever had. I believe it. This morning he called me from the hospital to tell me to be prepared to stay all night. He has been sick. We knew it was coming. Thank GOD he was moved to the eleventh floor late last night, just in time for his nausea. I can now have a bed to stay with him up there...PRAISE GOD!!
Today Pastor Bart is going to call us at 8 a.m. and Pray over the Stem Cells! Our church will be praying as well. We are soooo blessed to have them all in our lives. Praise be to ALL MIGHTY GOD!!
Our thanks to all, you are wonderful,
Don and Kathi

*Edit by Brandon*
Dad getting his stem cells back!

Day Five!!

Last night Don had test to determine if he did indeed still have a blood clot and would have to have his cvc cathetur relocated. Unfortunately he did. It wasn't a pleasant experience, they did have a hard time surgically placing it. He has some pain, but they have him on pain med's. Today they will resume his chemo and I am sure he will be sore from the experience last night. He has had so many small surgeries on that area!! They tell us this should not change his schedule in any way. They are also giving him shots in his stomach with blood thinner to break up the clot.
His mother has back surgery today in Alexandria, please remember Dorothy in your prayers. Also last night our neighbors Kevin and Peggy Kessler came to our room at MDA. Kevin is having back surgery today at Texas Orthapedic here in Houston. They will be here for a week, and possible Peggy will be my roomate at the hotel. Nice to have company!!
Lots of folks need prayers. You prayer warriors keep it up. Love you and appreciate you all sooooo much!
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

We have hit a bump in the road!

Well folks,
Chemo number two went very well, still no nausea. But today they have found out he has a blood clot just above his CVC Cathetur. They could not get any blood return from the cathetur, and his left arm has swollen. Tomorrow they are going to do a test on him to determine if they need to remove his CVC and surgically replace it on the right side of his chest. He hates that. He has had it removed once already and then it was placed too close to his heart, so they had to pull it out a small amount. All this surgery on his cathetur area isn't fun, and causes some pain. It is also delaying his schedule, and we hope this doesn't mean our DAY 0 will be on Friday instead of Thursday.
Through it all he has kept such a good attitude. He has all the nurses remembering his name the way he teases them all...LOL. He will be having his chemo all through the night now, because of all the worry about his cathetur. No sleep for him!!
Please pray his test shows the blood clot is gone and his blood flow is normal, and they won't have to remove his CVC.
We talked to his brother Kim tonight, good hearing from him. Our kids and grandkids were such a joy to have here if only for one day...we love them so. They really cheered up Paw Paw and MeMe got lots of hugs. We needed that. It is kinda quiet around here now though....too quiet.
Thanks for all the prayers and S.S.class, thanks for wearing those ribbons and the special prayers during class as well.
We love all of you,
Don and Kathi

Day ONE of six Mega Chemo's

Today Don had his first day of the strong chemo drugs to kill his remaining stem cell's. He actually did very well. He did not get sick at all!! Must be all those prayers your sending up on his behalf. PLEASE...DONT STOP!! Tomorrow he will be recieving a combination of drugs. One he has had before, and one new one. I pray all days go as well as today, however we know he will start feeling very weak soon. Tonight they let him go to the "park" on the second floor. The "park" is an area of the hospital that we love the most. It is an open large area full of palm tree's and plant's. In the day time you can hear the piano player playing from an area near by. A very relaxing atmosphere. We love to just sit in the wicker chairs and have a change of scenery. He only got to sit there about an hour, and we know it will be his last day for about three weeks! I told him let's enjoy this while we can. We are trying to get a room on the 11th floor. It is the stem cell transplant floor.....but we have been admitted to the 9th floor because there was no vacancy on 11. On the 9th floor there is no room for a couch or bed for me to stay with him. Tonight thank the good Lord he is o.k. and doesn't need me to stay.
Also our daughter and grandkids are coming tonight!! HURRAY!! We can't wait to see them. Paw Paw will love having them to brighten his day tomorrow. And MeMe really needs a hug!!
We will write again soon,
Blessings,
Kathi

We are headed to step THREE!!!!

O.k...all you prayer warriors...its your time to pray really hard!!! We saw Dr. Nieto today and we are being admitted tonight! Tomorrow Don will start his MEGA chemo. It is called B.E.A.M. BCNU Carmustine, Etoposide, Ara-C Cytarabine, and Melphalan. On Friday he will be recieving the Carmustine. Then days 24-27 he will be recieving the Etoposide and Cytarabine. On Wed. the 28 he will recieve the Melphalan and then THURSDAY the 29th is STEM CELL TRANSPLANT DAY!!!!
Around here that day is called day 0. You count from there to 30. Your immune system becomes that of a little baby on day 0. Don will actually have to have all his baby shots all over again...LOL. I told him he could go with our little grand daughter when she has her's...HA!!
We noticed on his schedule that he will be having six not five days of chemo. And there is no two days of rest. I am not sure why his schedule is different from those of others we spoke to.
This is the step we have been a little scared of. I ask that you all pray for Don to have only minimal (IF NONE!) nausea or side effects. Also please pray for NO infections of any kind or complications. And for ME to be a brave "ROCK."
We will try and keep the blog current, but it may be a little difficult during this week. If I can't get to our laptop my son, Brandon, will be updating for us.
Thanks to all for your prayers, we really need them now.
Much love and Blessings to all of you,
Don and Kathi

Just Waiting......

We are in waiting. Our doctor has been in Spain! He just returned back to work today, and our nurse said for us to just hang in there. We have no appointments, no instructions. Don and I want to get this show on the road. Don is very anxious to start step three. Yesterday he had his new C.V.C. line put in, this one is much more comfortable, and he slept well.
Robin, Scott and girls are suppose to come to Houston to see us this weekend. We have missed them so much, it will be good to see them. We don't know if Don will be in the hospital at the time, but we will work around that. If we get step three behind us, the sooner we come home for good.
Our friend Wayne came to see us and we went out to eat. It was good seeing him again. Then today our friend Robert called us. So good to hear his voice. I think he and Don have planned a golfing trip as soon as we get back home. Or maybe some fishing. I told Don that after we get home, he can fish or golf all he wants!! I think he is going to hold me up to that!! HA!
We will let you all know when we hear from our doctor.
Blessings,
Kathi

I don't know how he does it!!!

Well...folks your prayers are working. I know it is HIM working right now. Don went into Aphersis last night to harvest and we were there until 9:15 p.m. Don jokingly said here I gave you about 7 million tonight, when the nurse came to take the bag away....hehe. I said, "I wish!" They told us they only needed 5 million all together. Most people take days to perform this. He returned today to donate again, and guess what!! I can't believe this guy, but they just told him his count from last night was 7.2 MILLION!!!! I am amazed! They sent him back to the hotel and said...that's enough. Now we are waiting on instructions to move onto step three. I am shocked that Don managed to finish harvesting in only ONE DAY!!!!
Your prayers are doing wonders, please don't stop.
Our God is AMAZING!!!!
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

IT'S TIME!!!!!

Hey all! I got an email update from Mom a couple of hours ago. I think she wanted this to be blogged but got excited that Dad was suddenly being sent off for harvesting of his Stem Cells. So I figured I would post it for her :)

Keep Praying, the hardest part of this journey is yet to come for Dad!

~Brandon

WE ARE HARVESTING!!!!  HURRAY!! This is the time all stem cell transplant patients look forward to.  We are on to step two.  Pray Don will harvest plentiful! They want 10 million cells.  One friend we made here took eight days, pray Don doesn't take that long.  God is soooo good.  Praise be to him.  Don has been so faithful in giving his self four shots of Nupregin per day...ouch!  But it worked.  We will keep you all informed of when we go to step three, hospital admitting.

Much Love,

Don and Kathi

YEA...Harvesting????

The other day I got a daily devotional on line that started out..."The Harvest is Plentiful!"....hehe. Funny, we hear that term alot around here. It is the term all stem cell transplant patients and their family LOVE to hear. It means your blood is ready and your stem cells have come out and its time to start your harvesting. Something all patients in this situation look forward to. I thought after reading that devotional that God was trying to tell us something. IS IT TIME????? I had been praying for it. The other night Don woke up to really bad bone pain, a sign your stem cells are coming out. It was a very uncomfortable, but happy pain. Sure enough after his blood test yesterday they told us its time to test his stem cells. Today he has that test and hopefully will start his harvest today. Not all people harvest the same...it depends on your body. We met a man recently who had to harvest for eight straight days! They want 10 million cells. He was only able to give them eight million. We pray Don will be one of the unusual ones and can give all 10 million and in just a couple days. As we always said, the sooner we start, the sooner we are finished!!
Pray all goes well for him please.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

Same ole thing!!

Not much to update with right now. We seem to be in an endless time of blood checks and blood transfusions. Don had his checkup today and we find out now he needs platlets. He will be recieving them tonight. We have met so many people also having stem cell transplants here, and we can all compare notes. Some harvest soon, some dont. I am afraid we might be in the not ready very soon. It just takes time, and around here you spend alot of time, just sitting and waiting. Hours at a time in waiting rooms. Lots of time to read books, work puzzles and watch t.v.
We found out today that Don's Mom will be having back surgery. It has become too difficult for her to get around. We are so sorry we can't be there for her, but as I was told just today, we were told in the beginning of this thing, that we couldn't ever be more than fifteen minutes of the hospital during the entire process. I had hoped to talk them into letting us have a break and come home for the weekend, but I was told no. God knows what is best.
We will not be updating now until more info is giving to us, but will let you all know when we know!
Love and Blessings,
Don and Kathi

Guess I need to update...sorry..LOL

OOOPS....had some people ask for an update. This week Don had a couple days off without a hospital visit. He wasn't feeling well, the chemo had taken all his energy. He said..."Someone stole my giddy up!" Hehe. Poor guy spent his two days off sleeping most of the time. It rained constantly the entire two days, so as he slept I spent the day on the computer playing cards, or watching t.v. Today, Friday, we had to go in for blood test. His counts are all way down. He had to have another blood transfusion. He always feel's so much better afterwards.
We went out to eat tonight with my cousin Sharon and her husband James. Saltgrass Steak House, one of Don's favorite places. It was soooo good. And so good to get out for awhile.
Tomorrow Don's friend Mel and his wife Felicia are coming for a visit!! We are going to site see and go out to eat again!! Nice seeing family and friends. We still miss everyone at home though. Next weekend is our grand daughter, Crislyn's, birthday. We have never missed a birthday for our girl's, this will be a first, and hopefully the last time we miss one.
Thanks so much to all of you who are keeping up with Don's blog. He really enjoys reading all your comments and encouragment.
Much love to all,
Don and Kathi

Back home in our hotel now.

I got to bring Don home to our hotel today, for a little while anyway. He is not feeling well today. I guess it is side effects from his chemo. He is experiencing alot of muscle pain in his back, shoulders, and neck. He is also very very exhausted. He is in bed already, and it is only 8:30 p.m. Tomorrow we have more appointments, blood work, doctor visit, my demostration test on what I learned...yuk!! Sure hope I pass this thing.
When you get a day off here, you still dont get a day off. They have you returning to the hospital every day. And they almost always make your appointments early in the morning so there is no sleeping in either. I sure hope Don can get some rest tonight. They sent him home with a i.v. drip in a portable backpack. It must be hard to sleep with his "buddy" on the pillow next to him.
We spoke to our daughter and grand daughter tonight, it was so good hearing their voices, but always makes us so lonely for them. It has only been a week, but seems much much longer to us. We are missing everyone so much. I met a lady today who has been here since January!! Makes me feel silly for being so homesick already. I know it must be so hard for her. Lots of people here to pray for. God is doing alot of work around here. I am gonna try and get some sleep now.
Nite everyone.
Kathi

Chemo has started.

Yesterday Don had his CVC line put in and he was really sore afterwards. They removed his port, and there was too much scar tissue to put the CVC line in the same area. Thus he had to have it put in the other side of his chest. He had two very sore area's! They later admitted him to start his first chemo here. The chemo will be the same as he had at home to start. So he is tolerating it very well. He was joking with all the nurses alot today, so you know he is feeling good...LOL.
Today they send me to school! I had to learn to take care of his Central Venous Catheter. The class was an hour and a half long, and I have to repeat it again. No not because I failed it...Ha. Everyone gets to do it twice and then a nurse makes you show her what you learned. Not my cup of tea folks, I am not a good nurse, so you all pray for me.
Don will have chemo until Sunday afternoon and then they are gonna cut him loose for awhile. He will return to the hotel with me and be outpatient a few days. He will go in for a blood test daily until they say his stem cell count is up enough for him to return to start his harvest.
It has been raining here all day. The outer rims of Hurricane Alex. Not really bad here though, just a steady rain. Today before my class started I had lunch downstairs and heard a young man playing guitar and singing in the lobby. It sure was nice for a few minutes to just relax, watch the rain outside and hear him sing. The whole atmoshpere here is so different than any other hospital I have ever been in. It gave me some time quiet time with the Lord. I feel Him close to me alot. Must be all those precious prayers that we know are being lifted up for us.
Thanks to all our family and friends for those prayers.
Love all of you,
Don and Kathi

Day 2.....58 to go!!

Today Don and I saw the doctor. I was concerned he might send us home because of my cold...but he said I was doing everything I was suppose to. Just keep wearing my mask and washing my hands. So we are still a go!! Tomorrow Don will have his CVC line put in and his port removed at 11 oclock. After he leaves recovery we will return to our hotel room and pack, he will be admitted to the hospital tomorrow night for a three day stay for his first chemo here at MDA. He will be recieving two of the three same chemo drugs he had at home. He will be recieving Ifosphamide (I) and Etoposide (E). At home we recieved (C) Carboplatin ....thus the nickname ICE. Now without the C Don says he wont be recieving ICE but IEEEEEEE.....sounds cajun to me..LOL. You can see he still has his sense of humor. His spirits are still up.
After his first chemo he will be outpatient for a few days and give his self Neupogen shots to bring out the stem cells in his blood. When his blood is ready they will let us know and he will begin harvesting. This process is long and drawn out. Now we know we will probably be here for the entire two months. One step at a time. And that is how we take it...just one day at a time. Please pray Don does well on his chemo this week, and has few if any side effects. He tolerated this regiment of chemo drugs well at home, but we are told when the week comes to kill off the remaining stem cells after harvest, the regiment will be much worse and of a different kind. But for now, he is doing well.
I will be updating his blog either tomorrow or Thursday and keep you posted. I pray I will have good news then and be saying he is doing well.
Blessings to All,
Don and Kathi

Day 1 ....59 more to go!

Today was our first day of our long stay for Don's transplant. We spent most of the day testing and walking all over this hospital. Tomorrow we see the doctor and I pray he won't send us home because of my cold. He should tell us more about what we do next. We know Wed. Don has his Central Venus Catheter put in. They will be removing the port he has put in now. They said they could not do the transplant from his port. Tonight we are settled into our hotel room. It is not home, but it will do for awhile. We are gonna try and find us a place to eat tonight and buy some groceries. This room reminds me of when Don and I first got married. Small kitchen without much room, so food has to go on top of the refrigerator....hehe. But we made it home then, and we will make this home now. Missing everyone at our real home already...don't forget us!! To our Sunday School class....save our seats! We aren't gone forever.
Love ya all,
Don and Kathi

NOOOO...Not now!!

OH MY!!!!! I have come down with a cold! Bad timing. Hope they don't kick me out of MDA on Monday. Please pray that God will take my cold away and I don't give this to Don. Going to the store today and buy some mask.
Kathi

We are headed to MDA

Don got his call he had been waiting on. We are headed to MDA for his stem cell transplant on Monday. He is to report for blood work at 1 oclock. Then he will be admitted on Tuesday to start the procedure. We ask that you please remember us both in prayer as we travel, and for the procedure to go well, with no complications of any kind. Also that we find lodging for the two months we will be there. We will be updating as much as possible during the two months, and ask that you please remember Don at this time, he needs it big time. We love and appreciate you all!!
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

We are approved!!

Just heard from our insurance company, they have approved Don for his stem cell transplant. Don wanted to get it done NOW...he got service. Now we must get everything ready for our extended visit. I am getting very nervous at this point. But he is just ready to get this over with. Now is the time to start those prayers coming. And if you dont mind please say a prayer for my nerves as well.
Love ya all,
Don and Kathi

Back home for a little while.

Our visit to MDA was exhausting. We didnt get back to writing the blog the next night like I had promised because we had so much going on. We were handed a schedule for the day and it was very full. We met so many people, filled out so much paper work, and were shuffled from one department to another. Don had blood work done, we met with our doctor (who we were surprised to find out was Italian...who would think with a name like Nieto! We thought he was oriental..hehe) Then after a few more meetings with various departments, he had an ecco. He passed all his test.
When meeting with our doctor, he explained the entire process of a stem cell transplant. It will be much more complicated than we had thought. Our stay will be two months!! We didnt like that too much, but we understand the time frame now that we know the entire process. Don will be on chemo for an entire week, followed by a week to do the process, then a week to ten days for engraftment to take place. So he will be in the hospital for three weeks. Afterwards we will be outpatient for a few weeks until they feel all is well and we can return home. Then visits to Houston for checkups every three months for awhile.
It is gonna be hard being away from family and friends for that length of time. But very much a must to do this process. The doctor explained that, just as Dr. Wold had said to us, the cancer will return without it.
We saw so many bald heads at MDA, it is so heartbreaking. Some very young patients, cancer doesn't discriminate. Many people from all nationalities. But we also saw how different that hospital is from most. It wasn't uncommon to see people walking all over the entire hospital with I.V. poles, taking chemo while shopping in gift shops, having coffee at one of the coffee shops, or just sitting around looking out the windows at one of the many sitting areas. They have a comfort place to go and just sit in recliners and relax...it was so different.
People with carts come around all the waiting rooms and ask if you would like a snack or coffee. They cater to all the people there. Here doctor's offices have signs that say "no food or drinks allowed" There they have vending machines for snacks and drinks right in the waiting rooms, or come and offer you a drink!!
In the back lobby there is a man who is playing piano, and it was so relaxing and beautiful. The entire atmoshpere is different than anything we have ever seen. It is amazing!!
We were told to come back home and wait on our phone call to return. Our doctor told Don he was a prime candidate for the transplant right now! Don told him, "o.k...lets do it!" The doctor said next week!! But then the financial/insurance councelor laughted and said..."He can't do that!" We have to wait until the approval of insurance goes though. So the doctor put "Urgent" on our file to try and speed up the process. Now the ball is in their court. We wait until hearing from them. But we are glad to be home now for awhile. We will write more when we get that call....
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

We have arrived at MDA!!

We are all settled in our home away from home in Houston. Today we first stopped by Baytown, Tx. to visit my cousin Sharon and her husband James. They treated us to a wonderful seafood lunch at their favorite place overlooking Houston ship channel. It was so nice and we really enjoyed their company.
Afterwards we drove on into Houston and found our Extended Care Hotel. There was a mixup with our reservations...so we were upgraded to the Executive Suite...WOW!! And at no extra cost! God is soooooo good!! We walked to the hospital and took a practice run to the doctor's office, and practiced taking the shuttle bus back. The hospital is HUGE!!!!!! But so easy to locate your destination. The cafeteria has every kind of food you could ever want. And I plan on taking another look at that gift shop...LOL.
Tomorrow we have our first doctor's appointment with Dr. Nieto. We will be updating our blog tomorrow night and let you all know what they have planned for Don this week. We already know it will be testing.
To our Sunday School class....we brought our "Bag of Love" and it has already come in handy. I used my stain stick today...hehe. We love all of you so much and look forward to putting this behind us and returning home soon.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

We are sooooo Blessed!!

I just had to take time to post something on a personal note. We have the very BEST Sunday School class on the face of this earth. This sunday all our brothers and sisters in Christ presented Don and I with the most precious gift! A cloth bag with all of their names written on the back...and large words "Kathi and Don's Bag of Love!" written on the front. Inside it was full, and I do mean FULL, of all kinds of things we will need while at MDA. LOTS of snacks for Don's sweet tooth, and books to read and puzzle books to keep us occupied. Even a Tide pen if we have any stains...hehe. They thought of everything. And they just dont know how much LOVE we felt from them. They have been there for us every step of the way though this journey, and I know they always will. That my friends is true love. We have been so blessed to be a part of their family. We thank GOD for sending us to Kingsville Baptist Church, and to all the sweet loving people that have become a true family to us. WE LOVE ALL OF YOU SOOOO MUCH!!
MUCH THANKS!!!
Don and Kathi

Processing begins for MDA

We have been hearing alot from M.D.Anderson this week. They have begun the processing for our arrival for Don's stem cell transplant. We are to spend a week at MDA week after next for a check up and probably test. I am thinking maybe they will go ahead and harvest his stem cells while we are there. They will be frozen until time for the transplant. We have been looking into lodging for our new home away from home. Hoping to find one close by the hospital. I think we are both getting a little nervous at this time. When they call and actually give you a "date" it makes things all so real!! Praying God will provide us both with a peace in knowing everything will be alright. Please join us in that prayer.

Thanks to all for being a part of our journey. We love you all.
Don and Kathi

Don's chemo is finished!!!!!!!!

Hurray!!!!!! Today Don finished all his chemo....well at least here in Alexandria. Our doctor came in and asked us if we had heard from M.D. Anderson. We havent, so he said he will contact them and find out if there is any confusion. He had spoken to MDA in the Lymphoma area. But Don will not be going into the Lymphoma department at the hospital. He will be in the Stem Cell Transplant area. So today he contacted them again and we should hear from them maybe next week.
Now we just have to take step two in Houston to make sure this terrible cancer does not come back .....EVER!! That is what we are praying for, and what we ask you all to pray for. Help us pray that the stem cell treatment will not be too bad on Don, no complications of any kind, and completely clean him of any cancer cells.
For now...we just want to get back to "normal". I always said boring is good! And we want more boring..LOL. I just want to concentrate on VBS and getting back to church with all our church family. And spending as much time as possible with our precious grand daughters. We miss them so.
Thanks to all for your prayers, your love and concern. It is much appreciated.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

The FINAL chemo here!!

We are here at Rapides General for chemo number four, our FINAL chemo here in Alexandria. This time we have a visitor with us...our son! Brandon came in from Florida to be with his Dad for his final chemo. Don will be receiving two pints of blood today along with his chemo, his counts are very low again. We are in room 601. Come by and see us we love your company.
Blessings,
Don, Kathi and Brandon

Things are MUCH better now.

Today the doctor came in and gave us some good news!! Don's P.E.T. scan results...all his cancer is GONE!! Chemo works very well on Don. PRAISE GOD!! To HIM be the glory. This does not mean Don will not have to finish his fourth chemo. This also does not mean he will not have to have the stem cell transplant. The doctor explained to us that without the stem cell transplant Don's cancer will almost positivly return. Our doctor is such a sweet compassionate man. He could tell that I was very worried about the transplant. Having just lost a freind who had a stem cell transplant, it is hard to not be afraid. She also was a patient of his so he is very aware of her case and what happened. He assured us that it was like comparing apples and oranges, and that Don's procedure would NOT be the same. He made us all feel much better and not so worried. Since Don did well with his chemo there is no delays in our scheduling our trip to MDA and soon they will be contacting us about when this will be done. Tomorrow he will be finishing up chemo number three, and we get a three week break before returning. We walked several laps around the floor today, and the blood transfusions have helped him feel alot better. He is looking forward to coming home and fishing in his boat again as soon as possible. So good seeing him feel better. Thanks friends for your visits.
We love ya'll
Don and Kathi

We have arrived!

Well we are all settled in our new home at Rapides Hospital now...room 603. They decided Don would need some blood today because his blood counts are very low. He will be recieving three pints today and tonight. He had some nausea today but as usual they gave him med's very quickly. He is in good spirits ...and the nurses are all very friendly. Ya'll come on by for a visit, if of course you don't have any sniffles or cough, we love company.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

Time for Chemo Number Three

It seems like we were just at the hospital, but it is time to return. Our weeks off just don't seem to be long enough for all we want to do. But Don has made good use of his time off. He has spent alot of time fishing in his new boat. His favorite thing to do now. We found out his blood counts are very low. So low that we were not sure he could have his chemo at this time. He went to the doctor today and they were surprised he hasn't had any breathing problems. They said he will require some blood tomorrow. This hasn't slowed him down much. He has been doing alot of things around our house. He does wear out quickly though. He said he was going to do what he could anyway, before having to return for chemo.
We lost our freind Trudy last week. It is so hard thinking about what she went though. She was a wonderful person, and we will be praying for Robert and her family as they grieve her loss. We were going to be with them at M.D. Anderson. And we have to admit it makes things just that much more frightening for us in knowing the procedure Don will endure in Houston, and how similar it will be to what Trudy went though. But after talking it over Don has decided he will continue with the same plans. If not the cancer will only return. We ask that you all continue to rememeber Don in your prayers. We appreciate all of you. Tomorrow when we find out our room number I will be posting it for you.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

Chemo Two behind us now!

We are home from the hospital. Don is full of energy, and I don't know where it is coming from, unless it is the steroid they gave him..LOL. I keep telling him this might all change in a couple days, the energizer bunny might come take it away. He THINKS he is going fishing tomorrow....we will see about that. All in all he has done remarkably well this time. I think we have made friends with all the nurses on the sixth floor, and will know all their names when we return. Two down, and two more to go.
Glad we are home,
Don and Kathi

Chemo Number Two

Don has been doing very well with Chemo Number Two. So far he has only experienced some slight nausea. Today he ate very well, and has been walking laps around the hospital floor. I heard he even had a nurse walk some of those laps with him..LOL. Now he has everyone exercising!! .
A friend of ours Trudy Daniel is at MDA right now. She had a stem cell transplant about a week ago...but she is in need of prayers. She has developed Pneumonia and has some Liver problems. I pray the good Lord will put his loving healing arms around her right now and see her though this. Our thoughts are not far from her, and our prayers go out to her and her family.
Don had his pneumonia shot today, hope it helps to prevent him from developing any problems with his stem cell transplant. The doctor told us today it will probably be around June when we go to Houston, and our stay will be longer than we had originally thought. We will be having all four chemo treatments here first before we leave. If the rest of his treatments here go as well as this one has, he will be fine. We also had some wonderful visits from friends and family today. He really enjoyed seeing everyone. Thanks for coming!
Love to all,
Don and Kathi

No Room in the Inn

Today Don was scheduled for chemo number two. Upon arrive at Rapides Hospital we were told there was not one room available in the entire hospital!! How sad, knowing there are that many sick people here. We were sent home until they had a bed available. About 1:30 we recieved the call to return. We are now all settled in room 606. They have had some problems accessing his port. But they will return soon to try again. Come on by and see us if you can, but please remember to make sure you have no sniffles of any kind. We will keep you posted as much as possible.
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

Hair Today......Gone Tomorrow.

Don took his cap off yesterday to find it full of hair. OOOPS....time to shave it off. It is so strange how in one day it just fell out in clumps. He could just touch it and it fell out, now his mustache is coming out. Last time he lost all his hair the teenagers at our church thought he was pretty cool. The young people shave their's on purpose!! You guy's can get by with looking cool when you are bald, but us women, we need a pretty wig to make us feel better. Don says at least he doesn't have to wash his hair now, and last time he didn't need to shave for months! They say when it grows back, you never know what color or texture it will be. Maybe he will have black or red curly hair...you never know...LOL.
This week was his good week. He had enough energy to do some golfing one day, and then today he actually went fishing. However the fish weren't biting, so we ate mexican instead...hehe. Perhaps he should try some sunscreen on his bald head next time. Next Tuesday we go back to the hospital, it's time for chemo number two. Seems like we were just there!
Post more next week, when chemo two begins.
Blessings,
Kathi

Things are going smoothly for now.

Don has slowly been regaining his strength since coming home. He has been weak and sleeping some during the daytime, which is not like him. He has had some digestive problems. He says it feels like the lining of his stomach is irritated. He eats small meals during the daytime, when he can. Its a funny thing but most chemo patients prefer one certain type of food. Last time seven years ago, Don prefered breakfast foods, and ice cream. This time he prefer's cold foods, and ice cream...LOL. But as they told us ...let him eat whatever he want's when he want's.
The Dr. told us that in seven days from his chemo his blood counts would go down, and they did exactly seven days later. His white blood cell count, red blood cell count and his platlets all were very low, thus his resistance is too.
Don hopes to have enough strength to go golfing some next week, and maybe a little fishing. It is sad, but the second week out from chemo he feels alot better, just in time to go and do it all again! His next chemo is scheduled for April 13th.
Today we got to spend some time with family. Our daughter and grandchildren came over for a Easter Egg Hunt. Then Don's Dad and Step Mom, and Step Brother all came over for a visit. It was so good to see them all. Today felt almost normal. And days of normality are good. Don and I always said, after going though things like this, boring is good!!
God is so good, and we thank Him for all our days, good and bad. We miss our friends, but love your phone calls. Soon maybe we can see you all.
Everyone have a Blessed and Happy Easter...He is RISEN!
Blessings,
Don and Kathi

We are HOME

We finally got to come home today. Putting number one chemo behind us now. Don didn't do too bad. He got a little nausea and say's someone pulled his energy plug! But this is to be expected. We sure had alot of wonderful visitor's and really good nurses on the staff of Rapides Hospital. We thank God for our church family, friends and our doctor, Dr. Wold. Such a good christian man and top notch doctor. God has blessed us. Thanks to all who came to see us and for the goody basket from our Sunday School family. You are so nice, and we feel so loved!! Thanks to all,
Don and Kathi

So are we having fun yet?????

Well folks, today Don decided we must be too bored and needed more excitment!! As the chemo nurse was starting Don on his first bag of chemo regiment ( Ifosphamide) Ifex for short....he had a reaction! His chest started hurting and he said he felt Flushed all over. Our nurse Ms. Mary called Dr. Wold and he told her to stop the treatment and give him Benadryl. He said the Benadryl made the room spin, but after about thirty minutes he was back to normal and the treatment was started again. He had been doing so well too. The day before he took all three drugs with no problems. Just a little nausea that night, but it was quickly treated with nausea med's, and he slept all night. Hope tomorrows chemo goes smoothly. DON YOU BETTER BEHAVE YOU HEAR ME????
Kathi Ü

Chemo number One begins.......

Don and I are now in room 624 at Rapides Hospital. We are waiting now for them to come in and start his chemo. Looks like this will be home until Friday morning. :(
As far as we know it is o.k. to have visitor's as long as you don't have a cold. So come on by and see us if you'd like. Or call our cell phones: 481-3111 & 451-7127
BLESSINGS,
Kathi

And the Chemo begins

Tuesday Don's Chemo will begin. He will be recieving four chemo treatments. In the hospital three days per treatment, treatments every three weeks. Please pray he will do well and wont suffer too bad with the side effects. We have already been told he will have some side effects, loss of hair, nausea, etc. But I pray it wont be too bad. We are both not looking forward to this, but I must remember, the sooner we start, the sooner he will be finished! Robin and I found a good daycare for the baby. This Meme sure is gonna miss my girls though. I must remember this is only temperary......I want my babies back as soon as possible! Keep praying for us friends. We will keep you posted.
Love ya all,
Kathi

Update .....March 15th

Today Don had his port put in and the Bone Marrow test. He did very well. The nurse said they tried putting him to sleep, and even though they gave him enough medication to knock out a horse he was still awake...hehe. But he didnt feel any pain at all. They also did the sonogram on his gallbladder and said the stones are very large. But they are not blocking a duct..so he probably wont have to have it removed yet. Now we are just waiting on a phone call from the doctor's office to tell us a date for his first chemo. When we find out a date we will let you know.
Blessings to all,
Don and Kathi

My husband Don as alot of you know was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma seven years ago. He survived having ten tumors through out his body and has spent the entire last seven years being an inspiration and encouragment to others who are newly diagnosed with cancer. Now his own cancer has returned. We are asking prayer from everyone during this new journey. He has great faith, and we know first hand the power of prayer. It has gotten him this far and will carry us though this new phase. I will be posting updates as we go along.
Tomorrow he will be having his port put in and recieve a bone marrow test. Also to make matter's worse...he has gallstones!! So they will be doing a scan to determine if he needs to have it removed first before the chemo can begin. We pray things will go well.
Write to you again soon.
Blessings to all.....Don and Kathi