This is Andy writing today.
Jon last posted at the beginning of October, when he was dealing with his newly found diverticulitis and had to stay in Rochester for a few days. Jon was sent home after a few days with some heavy-duty antibiotics, but at least he was home. Some of the side effects of the antibiotics were a little weird: an upset stomach, joint and muscle pain, but they were consistent with the expected side effects. But if you would have asked how he was doing, I would've said he was tired, but good.
Jon goes in weekly for bloodwork, so he went in as normal in the afternoon on Tuesday October 16th. Usually the Dr.'s office calls to say labs are normal, but there was no call Wednesday during the day. We were thinking well maybe no news is good news. So I left with the kids to take them to choir, came home later and put the kids to bed. And then Jon told me the news: Dr. Darabi had called while we were gone. Jon's leukemia was back.
*Thank you Dr. Darabi for keeping Jon on the phone for awhile once you found out he was home by himself when you gave him the news.*
Jon had a bone marrow biopsy the following day and then that night we started sharing the news with the kids and our families. Jon was admitted on Tuesday the 23rd to start his chemo, but in the meantime we headed out to the farm for opening weekend of pheasant season.
Every year, Jon and the usual group from his hometown area - friends and family, get together to go hunting. Jon wasn't feeling great - okay to be perfectly honest he felt completely awful, but he sucked it up - so he blocked and he shot one pheasant.
So Jon checked into Sanford here in Sioux Falls on Tuesday night, he was still fighting some stomach issues so instead of starting chemo right away, they did a CT scan of his stomach and a GI scope. They wanted him feeling good and able to fight before they started his chemo. Chemo finally started Friday night. He gets it once a day for 5 days. This will destroy his immune system, so he'll be in the hospital until his immune system is back and able to fight off infections, which typically takes 3-4 weeks. As far as what's next we're just focusing on getting Jon in remission and then we'll take it from there.
Jon's had alot of visitors this week, which is just so wonderful. He loves the company and it provides a good distraction for him from being stuck in this room for a month. Please don't hesitate from coming to visit him, just give him a headsup that you're coming and make sure you're not sick.
Thank you all for your prayers, we need them now more than we did before.
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