Today is day 70 and here is our report!

Our doctor visit was much like any other visit as we learned the results of the most resent blood draw, shared how Terry was feeling and what he is experiencing, and heard the doctors comments on how they think things are going.
The lab results:
WBC is 4.92 which is up from 4.72.
Hematocrit is 31%. It has been volleying between 30 and 31 the last few reports. They don't foresee a need for more transfusion yet, and of course expect that number to increase in the future.
Platelets are 122 thous.
Neutrophils are 2.31.

His lymph nodes are at 2 cm, and we know they were over 4 (close to 5) at the first scan he had here a couple months ago.

Terry and I are sensing an end to this stay as we keep track of what day it is and realize that we have about a month left until day 100. But when we try to mention anything about the end of our treatment here, the doctors seem to shy away from talking about it. They must want to focus on the issues at hand. They know that things are far from over and recognize the need to stay focused on what is taking place now so that things can continue to go well for Terry.

We have been curious as to how Terry will be feeling and what he will be able to do when we do go home. One thing we know and have heard from the first visit here for consultation was that he will not be allowed to go back to work for at least a year, which we learned is standard for all patients, but farmers, construction workers, mill workers and the like, may need to find a different job indefinitely. We did learn yesterday that he will need to be very careful around crowds, especially during the cold and flu season, because of some of the medicines he is taking and because his immune system will need awhile to kick in. After he stops some meds and gets his immunizations he can rest a bit easier, and that will begin to take place about 6 months out. We've wondered what he will do about his farm and we were told yesterday that he shouldn't teach for at least a year, so that means seminary is not a good thing for his physical health. We aren't giving up on anything yet, and have no plans except to follow the doctors orders as closely as we can, but we do wonder what life has in store for us.

Life for us took a big change when we learned Terry had cancer 6 years ago and began treatments for it. It changed again as we left our family and came to Seattle for several months, and it will change again as we return home and try to figure out what we will do and how we will do it. But there is one thing for certain. We can handle change! In fact, we recognize that change is or can be good. We will be fine! We know that things will work out for our good. The serenity prayer is displayed in a couple places in our home, and it goes like this:

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference."

This morning I found an email from Dennis that had some inspirational sayings. My favorite for the moment is this one:

"The task ahead of us is never as great at the Power behind us."

Let me make one thing clear - WE ARE NOT WORRIED! - we just have some thinking or contemplating to do.

Though the doctors do not give us any indication of when we will get to leave, we have heard them use words like remarkable and fantastic as they describe how they think Terry is doing. Hearing them use those words give us courage and hope, but our greatest help comes from the Lord.

Sunday guests

Shawna and Troy brought BrittanyJo and Anthony here to stay with us for the week. We are so grateful for their kindness and goodness. We are constantly in debt to our family for the service they give to us. Thank you!
We look forward to the time together this week. It will be a change for all of us, and we welcome it, wishing others could be here too, but happy to have some.

Things are going well, and we are going to keep on keepin' on!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Birthday Shawn!
We love you!

Clinic Visit Report

Results of the blood draw:
Reds remain at 30%
Neutrophils continue to rise - 2.27 today.
Whites continue to rise - 4.72 today.
Platelets are 117,000.

The results of last week's bone marrow aspiration:
The amount of cancer still in the blood/bone marrow is 2.5%, down from 2.7% on day 28.
Chimerisms tell us that - well, they do different markers with this testing, and one marker shows that Terry has 82% Dennis, up from 72% last time, and the second marker they tested this time was 100%, and they did not test that marker last time to compare it to. Anything over 50% is what they hope for, so it's looking really good.

The results of last week's scan show that Terry's lymph nodes have shrunk by 1/2. We can tell that they have shrunk and we are amazed. Things do look good, but we are still in a time when things can change so we continue to hope and pray for the good to continue.

A Quick Overview

We spent Monday afternoon at the aquarium, after having lunch at Ivars.

We went to a blood draw Tuesday morning and came back for lunch and playtime at the park, just a couple blocks away.

Lunch at home can be just as fun when you get to sit in the window sill.

We are back to the "empty nest" feeling for a few days until BJo and Anthony return this weekend to spend the week with us, and others return for the 4th of July. Will we feel the empty next syndrome when we really have it in 6-7 years? Most likely, in a different way.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY to all of our favorite fathers!

Our day was great! It started Saturday evening when Thomas, Dana, Auger, and Chase came to visit. They visited and spent the night.


Sunday afternoon Gregory, Adena, Brayden, Tawny, BrittanyJo, Anthony, and Connor came.


We did some more visiting and checked out the roof top to see the SCCA building and the space needle from our apartment.




Later that afternoon Skyler came. We didn't get a picture of him
:( but we enjoyed his company.
He had a nice visit with his dad, sharing his plans for his future and catching up on lost time, (or trying to anyway).
Brandon called to wish his dad a happy day and we emailed Michael.
Thomas and family, and Skyler and Chase had to go home Sunday night and Gregory and family, and our other 3 children spent the night.

We have plans for a couple days of more enjoyment. We'll try to keep you posted.

...

Day 56 brought the bone marrow aspiration and CT scan.
Terry took some Ativan before the aspiration, but opted out of the other sedation that made him throw up during the last aspiration. It was nice to have just one side done and no bone biopsy needed. Things went well.
The contrast he had to drink for the scan was different than usual. They have changed things a bit and it was a little easier to drink than the other they used to have, though it was still kinda nasty.
We took the shuttle home and had some soup to help warm us up. It was a very long morning and a late lunch, but Terry is resting and doing well.