Time for Transplant

Dad's Motivation

Hey All,

A short note to let you know today was departure day to City of Hope for the biggest hurdle of all, bone marrow transplant.  This is a very lengthy process and will take a minimum of 90 days at the hospital.  We ask you to please please please send prayers for my mom and dad as they embark on what will be one of the hardest parts of this whole journey yet.

My dad is partaking in a clinical trial and will receive a chemotherapy drug prior to transplant that will help him stay in remission long term.  Believe it or not, because AML is such an aggressive form of leukemia, there is still a possibility of it recurring after a perfect match bone marrow transplant.

We are confident that God will protect my dad and will give him the strength, courage, and determination he needs to endure this part of his journey and will see him through.  My dad is so amazing you guys, its crazy. My heart is bursting with love and pride in him for staying as upbeat as possible and for being as willing as he has been to do anything and everything he can to help himself gain health once again.

Please feel free to comment, message, text us, my mom, etc. at any time.  It's such a reassuring feeling to know that there are people praying and cheering them on.

Thanks everyone,

Jen and Nic

Blood Drive Success!

We had an AMAZING turnout for the Blood Drive and Be the Match evening!!! We had well over 75 people there, 66 people came to donate and 15 people signed up to be a bone marrow donor! IT WAS AWESOME!!!

We packed Houchin. (For awhile there was a wait like some fancy restaurant! Love it!) We filled every blood donation chair they had- which has never happened since that location opened!

If you haven't watched the short video one of the Houchin directors posted to their Facebook that night, please do so below!

We reached a milestone at the Bolthouse donor center tonight with every blood donation chair full. What an awesome tribute to Bill Ray Jr. from his family and friends who are here donating blood and signing up for the Be the Match Bone Marrow Registry!!
Posted by Houchin Community Blood Bank on Thursday, August 20, 2015

Sisters! Love.

We had 25 new donors give blood for the first time. YES!  My sister and I were loved on, encouraged, and supported all evening.
Needless to say, the event was a HUGE success. But, I think the best part- even better than the 44 units of blood that can save up to 132 people, was how happy my parents were to FaceTime with those who were there and to see pictures of people they didn't get to talk to. They beamed! It was exactly what they needed.... A big reminder of how many of you are truly in their corner constantly cheering them on and praying for my dad's success in beating leukemia! It was perfect.
Thank you everyone. It's totally inadequate, but thank you.
Here are some pictures from last night.
Nicole

PS- on top of that, my dad had a slough of tests done at City of Hope and he did unbelievably well. All tests have been passed so far, keeping them on target to head back for the transplant process on August 31.

PPS- I totally missed getting a picture of everyone who was there...sorry!

Doug and Marcus

Daniella, First Time donor!!

First Time Donor Peggy!!

Friends and regular donors, Ann and Jay!

First Time Donor Regan!

First Time Donor and Dear Friend, Michelle!

Friend DeWayne donating for the first time!

Aunt Kathy, Friends Art Jr., and Susan giving blood!

Tile Friends came to support! Tony, Eric, Aaron, Larry, and DeWayne.

High School Friends Reunite! Erin, Kate, Jenny, and Me.

Marcus and Derrick, first time donors!!

First Time Donor and BFF, Anita!

Super Soul Sunday

(I'm channeling my inner Oprah on this Super Soul Sunday)

Last week mom and dad hit the month mark on their stay at City of Hope and last week in particular, was VERY difficult.  There wasn't any significant change in his white blood cell numbers (they were not increasing as quickly as they hoped), he had a bone marrow biopsy and they were waiting on pins and needles for the results to ensure that he was leukemia free, and let's be real, they're exhausted and have lived in a hospital for a month.  Talking to them last week was difficult.  Everyone was sad.  Down.  Feeling defeated. Dylan really took on the role of ' lead encourager' and I was reminded of author and college professor Brene Brown, who has been on Oprah's show many times. 

One of her quotes resonated with me, “Faith is a place of mystery, where we find the courage to believe in what we cannot see and the strength to let go of our fear of uncertainty.” 

Faith.  It is so simple and yet sooooo challenging at times.

My family, and especially my parents, have been challenged to believe in what they cannot see.  Every step of this LONG journey is requiring Faith.

Well, we held on to faith and prayers were answered in a GIGANTIC way Friday.  

Dad's bone marrow came back leukemia free!  Hallelujah.

Dad was given a neupogen shot, which boosted his white blood cells from 

roughly 100 to 1200 in one night! Hallelujah.

Dad hadn't needed blood products for two days, 

so he was released and able to come home!!!!!! Hallelujah.

So, you read correctly, he is home.  He is still tired and weak.  Those near him are still required to wear gloves and masks, BUT we are beyond thrilled that he is HOME!!

   

Here are the girls rocking their gear to visit Papa!

Big developments!

We got some very long awaited, amazing news today that has lifted everyone's spirits, especially my mom's and dad's! They have been living inside the hospital now for a month straight....this was the perfect pick me up they needed to persevere and get through this first stage of his treatment.

My dad's doctors ordered his bone marrow biopsy two days ago, earlier than originally planned, due to his numbers remaining low - particularly his white blood count not really moving that much.  Dad has been terribly sick and feeling several different side effects especially over the last week.  We learned this evening that dad's biopsy came back clean.  The leukemia is in remission!!
Whooo Hooooo!
If this bone marrow biopsy had not been clean, he would have had to do another 30-40 day round of chemotherapy - and would not have been able to move forward toward the bone marrow transplant.

My Aunt Char has spent a couple days this week at City of Hope doing different tests and some blood work, part of the process in being the bone marrow donor.  All of her testing came back clear - another huge blessing!

Today my dad will receive a shot that will boost his white blood cell count, which in turn will allow him to build back his immunity quicker and speed up this part of the recovery process.  Once dad shows his numbers are consistently up and in normal range, dad will be discharged to a cottage on the hospital campus and will have to go back and forth from there to the hospital to check his progress, receive blood products, etc.  A change of scenery is MUCH needed!

After that part of the process, he will be able to come home for 1-2 weeks.  Then, it is time for his bone marrow transplant.

They are taking one step at a time, one day at a time.  We are elated that he is in remission right now!! It is a big deal guys! Thank you for your constant interest, thoughts and prayers for my family.  This is a terribly trying time and it feels so good to know that dad has some big supporters in his corner.

And speaking of supporters in his corner, we hope to see you at the blood drive/bone marrow registry event we are hosting for my dad next week - August 20th from  4 - 7 pm. If you haven't seen it on facebook yet (I would be surprised if you haven't - we've been working hard to spread the word!) We will post next week as a reminder.

Love to you all!!

39th Anniversary!!

Happy Friday everyone!! 
Today marks the 39th year that my parents have been married! (what an accomplishment!) This year they are unable to celebrate in a traditional way, but I know they are both unbelievably happy to be together despite it being in a hospital.  
They are each others' best friend, soul mate, and confidant. And have been since they were 16 years old skating at Skateland and Starlight Skating Rinks.

Their wedding photo

Since those old skating days, they have built an amazingly successful business, had two perfect children (in my opinion! ha!), afforded both Jenny and I lots of opportunities, traveled together, built dream homes, loved on and spoiled their four grand-girls and most recently faced cancer and kicked its ass together.  Always hand in hand.
Join me in wishing them a Happy Anniversary...via text, comment, Facebook message or whatever. I know they'll be thrilled to hear from you!

 

As Dad laid in the hospital last year, this song came on and he started singing to Mom. It was so sweet! LOVE.

Celebrating last year's anniversary

All smiles after a great day on the lake with the jet skis

This song totally speaks to my parents' love...
-they beat the odds together
-they're still going strong
-they're still running to each other
Quite the example. I hope that many of you are as lucky as my parents are, to have found the one you truly love.

Nicole and Jenny

Picture Time!

Dad with his sister and bone marrow donor, Aunt Char!

Hello Friends! A very brief update to share some pics from very faithful supporters who have sacrificed their time to drive long distances to come see my mom and dad.  Dad's favorite girls, his grand-kids of course :), have made him some pretty awesome artwork for his room...he's also received trinkets, gifts, cards, quotes, and flowers (artificial, he can't have real flowers in his room) from some of his supporters as well.  How wonderful! We thought we'd share!

Dad's cousins Ronnie and Linda taking a selfie in their car on their way in to see Dad

My Dad and his Dad, Papa Bill

Dad and his cousin, Steve 

Dad with his sister Char and brother-in-law, Cliff

All of the comments, texts, prayers, thoughts, notes, gifts, all of it mean everything to us as a family.  If you'd like to send a card, please message or text us and we will make arrangements to get it to him.

Thanks!

Jenny and Nicole

Halfway Point Through First Round

Wednesday Visit

The past few days have been a bit up and down.  Dad is still at the lowest of the low in terms of his blood numbers, particularly his white blood cell count - 0.1.  Normal range for this is 4-11.  White blood cells fight off infection.  He has to come up to at least 1.0 to be able to walk outside of his room - the four walls he has been looking at for the past 2 1/2 weeks are getting really old, really fast....BUT he and mom are making the best of it.  He isn't fully up and active yet - still weak, tired, and sick.  He is taking upwards of 10 or so different IV drips/medicines on a daily basis.    However, considering he is going through re-induction therapy he is doing pretty well! This round is particularly lengthy and painful because he has relapsed AML so the therapy is stronger and modified for this reason.

The good news is (which we've posted previously) that his sister Char is a PERFECT bone marrow match.  A blessing so assuring and miraculous I don't think I can comprehend it quite yet.

Next huge step for him is to get into remission based upon the drugs given in this round. A bone marrow biopsy will be performed in the next coming week or two to see if he's there.  He cannot go forward with the transplant until his marrow tests clear of any leukemic cells.

In other good news, dad has had some visitors come this week - Dylan and I came Wed for a great visit. We attended a mass at the hospital and the priest came up to his room and prayed with us afterwards. Thursday his good friend Tony Marion drove down - thank you Tony!! Much appreciated!!  Today (Saturday) his sister and brother-in-law Char and Cliff will drive all the way from Fresno.  His cousin Steve and his dad Bill are driving down tomorrow. His cousins Ron and Linda Salinas will travel on Monday from Fresno.

Thank you all for your continued prayers! We are SO grateful and feel your love and support.  Continue to comment and send love his way.  :) :)

  This was at Avila Barn on a beach trip we took together right before treatment began.  I love how happy everyone looks - particularly Dad...so I thought I'd post!