Mary's TV Debut

Mary was asked by Dr. Cripe to help with a Channel 13 News Story on Monday, October 22.  Here is the clip from Channel 13.  They asked a LOT more questions and took a LOT more video than what is shown, but we are so proud of Mom's courage to get in front of the cameras!! Enjoy!!

Windford's Update 9/24/12

I found out this information about a week ago, but wanted to fill in my mother and my children first and I have been quite busy since. The cancer drug they had me on to slow it down to see if I could get a chance for a transplant in Chicago unfortunately  is not working and my Tumor Marker has went up tremendously. They have taken me off the drug. The transplant surgeon and my oncologist have conferred and agree that there is no drug or surgery I can survive. The oncologist will regulate my medicines to make me as comfortable as possible. My feet and legs are swelling very bad since my liver is not functioning properly. I am going to another doctor on 9/25/12 to get a liver reduction diet to help with the swelling. The transplant surgeon said God only knows how long I have for sure, but he thinks maybe I can make Christmas and possibly New Years, but the rest of 2013 will be very rough.

Remember the times we laughed and smile for me.

Windford

What's next?

As you know, we've been dealing with Mom's latest relapse. We met with the oncologist today to find out what options exist. Mom is very clear that she doesn't want to spend a bunch of time being sick and in the hospital if it's not going to be good for her quality of life. Knowing that, Dr. Cripe has offered a 7 day infusion (outpatient) that may keep the leukemia at bay for awhile. He said if she tolerates that ok then she'll possibly do another week in 4-6 weeks.
If at any point she doesn't tolerate it well, then they will stop. Either way, she will continue to need blood and platelets. This will help her have energy and feel better. If the leukemia continues to progress and the infusion doesn't seem to be helping then treatment will be done to make sure the symptoms are controlled, but it won't be cured.
She is staying strong and is confident in trying Dr. Cripe's plan. Please just continue to pray for strength, wisdom, and courage.
Much love to all of you!!

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. 

Highs and Lows

Well, here's an update after quite a spell without one. Mom's counts finally recovered enough to have a bone marrow done on Monday. We received the wonderful news that she is in REMISSION!!! This means that she will proceed to the stem cell transplant after a bunch of tests to make sure she is healthy enough to go through transplant. She'll go through those tests Thursday, 7/26 and probably get admitted on 8/7...that date is not set in stone yet. Please pray that all of that goes well!
On the low note, Wednesday 7/25, was a really rough day for Dad. He was very confused and disoriented the whole day--which can be a sign of hepatic encephalopathy--caused by high ammonia levels. Mom and Amanda brought him to the ER and I met them there. After a few tests, it was determined that his ammonia levels were in fact VERY high, so he is currently admitted at IU downtown. They will give him some medicine and monitor him until his levels are back into a safer level. This is very hard to see because it is SO not how Dad is...so we hope he gets back to normal soon! Please continue to pray that his ammonia levels drop and that he feels better soon.
Thanks everyone!!