Devastating:(

The bone marrow biopsy results are back and the news is devastating...the leukemia is back. The stem cell transplant is not an option. We will
wait to see what we can do, but right now there is no cure for leukemia, so we pray and put our trust in the Lord. I am so proud of how Mom handled the news today and thankful that Dad took the call. Please continue to pray and send support. This battle is NOT over!

Also--please say some prayers for Uncle Ray (Mom's brother) he had surgery yesterday and is now on dialysis. Please keep our family lifted on prayer!

Melissa

Stability!

Dad got the results from his MRI on Friday.  According to the scans, it appears that the liver is stable.  The tumor is still there, but it does not appear to be growing.  In this situation, that is very encouraging.  We are still awaiting the results of the blood tests to see if the tumor markers align with the MRI results, but an signs of stability is good!  We just continue to pray that this tumor does not grow and expand anymore in the portal vein.  That is the best option to get on the liver transplant list--which is the only way to cure the cancer & liver disease.  We are also thankful for this stability after such a grim prognosis just 4 months ago. 
   In other news, Dad is continuing with his retirement plans--refurbishing the house with new windows (and now a new roof thanks to the recent hail storm/damage) and getting a new barn.  He has talked about getting a new barn for years now and after a bit of permit confusion and the discovery that the house is now in the town of Avon, that plan is on for completion by the end of September! 
    In Mom news, she continues to go for regular bloodwork and needs a blood transfusion about once every week or two.  She'll continue with the bloodwork until the date is secure for her transplant (still set for September 11 admission at this point) and then she'll need another bone marrow biopsy.
Much love to all of you for your continued prayers and support!!

Not much new to report...

     In the last month or so we haven't had much new to update.  Dad has been battling a few fevers and has had a quick stay for a few nights in the hospital and a few visits to the ER for fevers.  We're working with his doctor to make sure his medication is helping and now we have a different plan so that Dad doesn't have to go to the ER each time he spikes a fever.  Dad had an MRI this week and Dr. Wagner will be going over those results at the end of the week.  There may not be anything new to report, but Dr. Renz in Chicago wanted to monitor Dad's liver to see if there was growth of tumor in the portal vein.  We are continuing to pray for no new activity in the portal vein.
     In Mom's journey, the biggest news is no news right now.  She was initially going to be admitted in early August, but due to the donor and donor center's availability, her tentative admission will be September 11.  We're hopeful that there are no more delays.  The other thing that this delay is going to cause is the need for another bone marrow biopsy.  Please pray that the results will show that Mom is still in remission!! 

Thank you to everyone for all of your prayers and support.  We will continue to keep you all updated when we have news to report.