Almost done with round number 2!

Hello Everyone! Have two weeks really gone by without a post?!  Please accept our apologies!!  We won't let that happen again :) Again thank you for following, and praying!!

Dad had an appointment today at City of Hope, and then mom and dad drove home - his appts have been on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Every time he goes, he is evaluated for any side effects, infections, labs are drawn, and blood products (platelets and transfusions) are given as needed - which has been almost every time.  On Wednesday my dad was given a shot to speed along the "building up" process of his white blood cells.  It worked and his white count today was 1,600.  He still needs to be careful not to go into the public just yet and needs to wear his mask around the house until it gets a bit higher.  I've talked about white blood count (WBC) throughout this blog before, but to remind you the white blood cells are the cells that help us fight off infection, a normal count is between 4,000-10,000.  Dad's bone marrow is on the up swing now of building back up again and his last appointment for round two will be on Wednesday!! He will have a few weeks off to rest and recuperate, and will begin his third round a few weeks thereafter.

We are sooo incredibly thankful that he did not suffer from any internal organ dysfunction, or any infection issues this round!  He is feeling pretty good, able to get around, but his hemoglobin is still low.  You and I run a hemoglobin count of between 13 and 17, I don't think my dad has been over an 11 in years.  This low blood count causes sever fatigue, amongst other things.  He is such a trooper guys, and has been through HELL.  Thank you for continuing to check in on him, pray for him, and think of him.  It is critically important to feel this type of support when going through such a journey.  From this family to yours, thank you.  

Overdue Update!

Hey everybody!  From what my mom tells me, things are looking exceptionally good right now for dad.  This time around is a brand new experience, nothing really has been the same - but it's like comparing apples to oranges....dad didn't have cancer this time going in and his body was not in the shape it was last time when he was admitted.  This is a mandatory, post induction round - and he will have two more of these.  Its weird for Nicole and I not to be there every day and not to know really play by play what is happening, but in essence its a good thing because we aren't "needed" in terms of severity of the situation.

My dad has finished his doses of chemo and has been discharged from the hospital!  The first few days while my dad was given the chemotherapy, it was torture.  Plain misery for him and was torture for us to watch.    He had an unbreakable high fever, and confusion/disorientation - which happens with this strong therapy. Other than those first few days he has experienced no side effects like he did last time - no infections, no internal organ issues, nothing!!

They are staying about three minutes away from the facility.  When things are going according to plan, this is City of Hope's protocol.  He and mom travel back to the hospital and the clinic there every other day and  labs are done, blood products are given if need be, etc.

The plan at this point is for my dad's blood counts/marrow to be taken down to nothing and to start building up new blood cells.  Once his numbers start to climb back up and he is still presenting no signs of infection or complications (about 2 more weeks) they will be able to come home.  Because of this process however, he will become "neutropenic" (this did happen last time) which means he has zero immunity and can catch absolutely anything - so, he has to wear his mask at all times, use sanitizer, wipe all surfaces anywhere he goes down first before touching, etc.) During this time I'm certain it's encouraged he doesn't get too brave and go out unless he has to.

Its pretty unbelievable to me even, that he is able to stand up at this point let alone eat, get around, hold normal conversations, and not be in the hospital still.  I am so thrilled that he is doing so well, and am so utterly grateful for this huge support system of prayer that he has behind him.  I am told literally on a daily basis from at least a person or two that they are thinking of my dad and praying for him.  Its remarkable.  Thanks everyone, please continue to send your prayers up to the Lord for my dad.

Jen and Nicole

One of many water features at the City of Hope

HELP us if you can!

Happy Sunday faithful followers!! First order of business…dad's bone marrow test from last week came back negative!!! This is amazing news!!! This means the chemo treatment will not be as aggressive since his body is still in remission from the leukemia!

Jenny and I made the trip to City of Hope today to visit with dad and mom. Overall, he looked pretty good, but told us he just feels utterly terrible. I was thrilled to see that he was breathing on his own, no extra oxygen needed, he's only on two antibiotics, and he was in his regular comfy clothes and not a hospital gown.

Compared to all the hospital visits here in Bako, he looked good, but you can just see the pain and discomfort he is in.  He battled a high fever all day…ice packs, cold wash clothes, cooler room air, tylenol, nothing seemed to touch it.  Getting a fever is a common occurrence for patients on chemo.  Also while we were there, he was given his 4th dose of the chemo drug, which means only 2 more doses to go for this round.  YAY!  His white blood count is already down to 1.1, and the doctors are shooting to get it as close to .01 as possible.  So, more than half way done with the chemo, then there will be at least a week of rest and troubleshooting any side effects from chemotherapy.  After that week, they expect his body to start producing new blood and then his numbers will begin to rise.

Since he is in the hospital again, and its soooooo far away from our amazing family and friends, I am shouting to the rooftops for your HELP! He needs encouragement.  My mom needs strength.  They are alone A LOT with no visitors and its very difficult on them both.  SO, please help him get his feet back on the ground….send a positive comment.  Send Jenny or I a video wishing him a speedy recovery. ANYTHING!! He loves it all!!


Won't you pleeeeeaaase, please, help them?!

Love you all,

Nicole and Jenny

P.S.- Dad adamantly believes Paul was the better Beatle, but I chose this song anyway.  I don't think he'll mind. Ha!

P.P.S.- Don't make us hunt you down for a comment on the blog or a short video from your phone!    :)

A Walk Down Memory Lane

August 7, 1976 - the day two 21 year old kids took the plunge and 38 years later, are still together.  38 years ago!! What an accomplishment.  Hey, they will be the first to tell you it isn't easy.  But, I don't believe it's supposed to be...its about devotion and commitment.  It's about growing together over the years rather than apart.  Building a life with your companion, your partner, your soul mate and not killing each other along the way.  It's through thick and thin, sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer.  About staying together through the glory days and when things get bad, heck, when they become the worst they could possibly be.

I love telling their story to people because it is so sweet, and so rare anymore these days.  Mom and Dad were high school sweethearts and met when they were 15 at the roller rink, Dad worked there and mom was a skater.  They dated for 6 years before they got married, then waited 5 years after marriage to start a family.  In between there they went through all life's ups and downs.  All they know is each other.  

So, I love to scrapbook and take pictures like crazy...so pulling some old pictures together is right up my alley! I thought I would share on the blog a glimpse of their past in honor of their anniversary.  Yes, their anniversary is the same day my dad has been admitted to City of Hope for his second of four post induction chemotherapy rounds.  

Little girl Mom with the bowl bangs!

What a handsome little doll!!

Prom Date!

Skating Queen!

                           

Senior pictures

                       

She has always loved horses

Pretty Mom

Wedding Kiss

The first of many beloved pets, Shiloh

Their first house on Beech Street

   

I think this is still B.C. (Before children)

A pride and joy of dad's - starting a successful small business

New House, Donnell Court

Aww, then came the baby Nicole, playing on the drums - dad is a musician at heart

I look THRILLED! lol.  Mom always wished for a red headed baby....so sorry, you got Portuguese darkies!

"Lov tile" for sure

                     

I love this picture...adult party time, Nicole trying to bug mom!  They had such a FUN group of friends!  We remember vividly the nights we would all camp out in Mexicali downtown's back room and shut the place down.  

They were vacationing here.  Dad was always behind the camera, even this dinosaur video camera! :-)  He was then, and still is today.  

Kenny Loggins days!!

Love the joy on their faces.  

 Happy Anniversary to these two who have made it through life thus far, and are fighting the fight of dad's life.  They will keep going, and they will not stop, because that's who they are.  Dad, we love you like crazy and are cheering for you like crazy. You can do this.  You have many supporters who pray for you and follow this blog who believe you can do this.

Thanks to the loyal followers and prayer warriors.  We are calling upon you.  This will be a turbulent ride, but he will land just fine - we just need your prayers.  Please post comments of encouragement on this blog. We will update tomorrow with more information on how his admission went and what the plan is over the next 5 days.

Thanks!!

Jen and Nicole

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Biopsy

My parents are at City of Hope right as I type checking in for their 11 am bone marrow biopsy appt.  Please, please pray that the Lord eases my dad's nerves, that the procedure is painless and most importantly that it yields a result that he is still in remission! Dad will also have a blood transfusion while he's there, as his hemoglobin is 7.9.  We will keep you updated on how the visit went.

Thanks everyone!!

It's follow up treatment time

Well, as I was told by dad, "City of Hope was like pulling into a major casino in Vegas… truly beautiful and the staff was amazing too.  Everything from start to finish was seamless." Needless to say, they had a great trip on Friday.  They met with Dr. Pullarkat from City of Hope and he basically confirmed everything dad has been told thus far here in Bakersfield. (this was great news!) He told dad that the bone spots are a secondary issue and having follow up treatment for the leukemia is priority number 1.

Dr. P reminded dad that this isn't an incurable form of cancer, and to fight the fight.  The day he will be admitted is my parents' wedding anniversary - 38 years of marriage....it was a little sad that another special occasion will be spent in the hospital,  however (obviously) the most important thing is devoting everything to fighting and beating this disease.  In my opinion,  it was a refreshing wave and a renewed sense of hope coming straight from a new doctor that gave us all a pep in our step. We never lost hope, but a new cheerleader that happens to be the tending physician to dad at this facility is really empowering.

He also said it is imperative that dad have a bone marrow test, taking a sample of the bone marrow to test the cells, on Tuesday.  This will tell the doctors if there are any leukemic cells in his body.  Either way, dad will be headed to the hospital on Thursday to begin his second round of chemo.  The doctor stressed the importance of staying on a correct timeline and having the follow up chemo treatment, which includes two more post induction chemo rounds after this round.  A lapse in the follow up treatment gives the leukemic cells an opportunity to come back and if they do, it is much more difficult to treat and those cells can actually become immune to the chemo treatments.  It's a very fine line for the physicians to call when he is ready to begin, as dad had so many complications last round (which according to Dr. Pullarkat this happens about 20% of the time) and his body has needed time to recover and to get into the best shape possible before starting this treatment again, as it is harsh.  If he is still in remission, the chemo that will be administered will be about half as bad as the first induction chemo.  Also in dads favor is the fact that he is better and stronger this time around (he went into the hospital last round in critical condition plus had to start chemo)

Dad hasn't decided definitively if he will be heading to City of Hope for his follow up treatment yet, but I think they are inclined to do that particularly since City of Hope is a cancer center only and they have experience treating many other people who have had the exact same experiences as dad.  For now he is at the beach enjoying one more relaxing trip before his 3 week stay in a hospital for follow up chemo.  As always, thanks for following dad's story.  Thank you for taking the time to read our blog and more importantly thank you for praying for my dad.  He is covered in prayer and positive energy which I know has helped him through this battle for his life!! THANK YOU!

Love you all!
Nicole and Jenny

P.S.- We are sharing all messages with him (like always!) but haven't been getting many comments

1. Enter your comment.
2. Under the comment box, there is a "comment as" drop down option- select the "name/URL" option.
3.  Type your name (you can leave the URL box blank) then hit continue
4. Type in the security digit code that it prompts you to type (a website security measure)
5. Hit publish and ta-da! your comment will be posted.

Pleeeeaaaasssssse KEEP THOSE COMMENTS AND WELL WISHES COMING!!

City of Hope

Today Mom, Dad, and Jenny are headed down to the City of Hope for a second opinion on the bone spots that are a mystery to Bakersfield doctors.  Also to get a new perspective on how the specialists at the City of Hope cancer center would proceed with follow up treatment for his leukemia. Their first appointment is at 11:30 and then 1:00. Keep them in your prayers for safe travel and good news from the doctors.

Thanks all!

We appreciate you.

Nicole