AML: New Treament Going Well

Once again I do a poor job of posting when I am at home.  You would think with all the free time I'd be able to get to it.  It's just been tough to get motivated lately.  That's partly why I am still holding off returning to work.

So there is a fair amount to tell. 

I'll address some of the prior posts that Andy and my Mom wrote.  I was pretty much oblivious to my condition.  I remember just waking up on a Thursday to find I didn't recall much since the prior Saturday.  The pain meds and infections caused.  I totally missed the Superbowl, even though I watched it with friends.  I played Xbox (Halo 4) with them as we traditionally do on Superbowl Sunday and I played pretty much as my awesome self.   I remember none of it.  This was the point Andy was told I may not leave the hospital. Then from my perspective, I just snapped out of it.  I believe all your prayers made a difference.

Since I have been home, my blood counts and immune system recovered fairly quickly.  In fact, when I started my last treatment, my counts were approaching what was normal for me.  I am now doing a Vidaza treatment every 6 weeks or so.  Intent is to keep the leukemia away.

Today I had a Dr. appointment.  It has been almost 2 weeks since I finished chemo (outpatient)  My counts (except platelets) have been minimally affected. My immune system is still in decent shape.  This is all good.  My doctor is very pleased. 

Speaking of my doctor, I have had to select a new one.  My doctor is leaving Sanford. It's all good. I have been in the hospital enough I have met all of them.  I'll likely need platelets next week and I'll keep you updated on how things progress.  I'll go to Mayo in about 4 weeks if my counts are good. 

For now. I am doing well.  I need to get my endurance up, but that will take time. 

I Believe in Miracles...

This is Crys -- Jon's mom. I thought perhaps we needed to update Jon's blog for those that follow from a distance.

I was with Jon in the hospital back in January when a retired minister from Jon's church stopped for a visit. He talked to us about miracles he had experienced in his life. The thing about miracles he said, is that you have to ask for them. And so we asked -- through all the many links of the prayers chains that are continually being offered for Jon, we asked God for a miracles for Jon. As Andy shared with you in her Feb. 3rd blog "Oh Crap", the hospital staff seemed defeated. They doubted that Jon would ever come home. They told us Jon would probably get an infection that he wouldn't be able to fight. They talked about 'supportive treatment' and 'DNR codes'. then on Feb. 11th Andy shared with you our 'glimmer of hope'.

I've learned something about miracles. Sometimes they come in an instant - the 'pick up your feet and walk' kind. But sometimes they require a lot of very hard work, with many ups and downs along the way that will try to test your faith. But the result is still a miracle. Jon is home from the hospital. He's been home for what will be 2 weeks on Friday. It is a slow process, but each day he gets stronger. His blood and bone marrow are clear of any leukemia blasts. He is off of all the pain meds that had his mind so cloudy. He is learning to eat again. His immune system continues to improve -- it is now better than hallway back to normal. But most of all he is home with Andy and the kids and they are treasuring each day.

So what is the plan from here? The doctors want to do more chemo in a week or so to keep the AML from returning. As I understand it,  it will be a different type of chemo -- one that can be done as an outpatient and won't necessarily require a hospital stay unless Jon gets sick. Then perhaps in a couple of months Jon and Andy will go back to Mayo for a consultation.

And so we are trusting in God's miracle and celebrating life. Each day is a gift.