Day 22...and counting.

Well folks, I know its been awhile since posting, so I wanted to update you on dad's progress.

Thought I'd go with some musical inspiration tonight....the blog has been dominated with the Beatles but tonight I'm going with another one of his favorites, Kenny Loggins!!! Click play, picture my dad playing the drums (love), and enjoy while reading the rest of this update.



Obviously he is tired (and that is NO where near the correct adjective :/) of being in the hospital.  Despite getting the best care at City of Hope, living in a 10x10 hospital room is starting to wear on him.  It has been 22 days since the start of this hospital stay and 13 days since his bone marrow transplant.  So far he is doing well, considering, but over the last week specifically he is battling intense and severe nausea/vomiting, diarrhea and exhaustion.  However, his white blood count is starting to climb.  It's up from  <.01 to .7 just within the last two days and it remained at the lowest point for what seemed like forever... so we are excited about this development!  Once he hits 1.0 he will still have a weakened immune system, but the 1.0 marker is considered a bare bones immune system.  As the days pass and Char's cells multiply he will get back into normal range (4-11).  The white blood count rising means Aunt Char's cells are starting to "settle in" and are replicating!!  We continue to ask for prayers for the long term success of this transplant, no graft vs. host issues or any other complications, and improved physical and mental health.

I think it goes without saying, but they are feeling a weeeeee bit isolated.  So text messages, emails, letters, pictures, cards, silly dubsmash videos, etc. would be AMAZING!! We are begging for some extra cheerleaders.  (We need fresh pom poms, if you will!)

So here's the mailing address...

City of Hope

1500 East Duarte Road

C/O William Ray

room 6103 Helford Bldg.

Duarte, CA 91010

Get those stamps out and send some love via snail mail.

My dad is a card lover.  He will truly LOVE this.  So, go get your cards people!

I know SO many of you are praying and cheering him on daily in your devotions. 
Thank you.
The prayer team in his corner throughout this long journey has been truly remarkable.

In lighter news....
Tony brought their RV down to the City of Hope campus last week and so now they have a taste of home right in the parking lot.  (HUGE thanks to Tony!!)

Hopefully in a week's time dad will be released and can stay in the RV and check in with the hospital every other day.

Also, Jenny and I got dad a cross and dog tag necklace and had it mailed....he loved it! One small way to encourage while we are away.

Thanks to Kenny and Stevie.
"Day by day, we can see, In every moment there's a reason to carry on"
"Sweet love showing us a heavenly light."
"Never seen such a beautiful sight."

Keep kicking ass dad!!
Nicole and Jenny