11-15-04 Journal

Main Page • John's Journal (2000-2003) • CLL Information • Contact John • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance • MD Anderson

"Two are better than one. If they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

As Thanksgiving approaches I am reminded of the importance of stepping back and giving thanks to God for all of my blessings. Clearly, I am grateful for my continued progress in recovering from transplant. I am now just over six months post transplant and things are going very well. My main limitation continues to be the need to stay away from crowds and taking the necessary precautions to avoid infection. Otherwise, I am able to do most of the activities I did prior to transplant.

The biggest blessing of my life continues to be my family. I cherish every moment we have together. I thank the Lord for allowing me to be here with them. I pray I can be the husband and father the Lord has called me to be and make the best of the extra days the Lord has given to me.

I also thank Him for the wonderful friends in my life. There is so much truth in the bible verse I quoted above. I never could have gotten this far without the love and support of friends and other caring people.





A special thank you to Bonnie and Kevin for keeping my bikes running smoothly. You guys are awesome. Riding has done so much to help me regain my strength and endurance since transplant and it makes such a difference to have my equipment working well. I appreciate all you do.



Congratulations to my oncologist, Dr. Blau, who recently gave birth to a healthy baby girl. While Dr. Blau is away on maternity leave my care has been taken over by Dr. Passalaris (above left) and Physician's Assistant, Betty (above right). They are wonderful people and I am very confident in the care they are giving me. I am fortunate to have such excellent oncology care right here in my hometown.

Our community will be opening a brand new state of the art cancer center early this spring. Michelle recently attended a fund raising event for the new cancer center where she was able to see my oncologist, Dr. Ostensen. As I have mentioned before, until having to take up his own battle against an aggressive form of skin cancer, Dr. Ostensen has been my oncologist. He is a very special person to me and has played a huge role in getting me this far in my battle against Leukemia. He is still undergoing treatment for his cancer and our family continues to lift him up in prayer.

I continue to have regular tests such as CT Scans to be sure my lungs remain clear as well as weekly blood tests. My blood counts are stable and for the first time in over a year I am no longer anemic. My hematocrit levels are maintaining between 35% and 39%, with 35% being the low end of normal. (Note: Hematocrit is the percentage, by volume, of red cells in blood. A hematocrit of 42% would put me back to where I was before Leukemia. My weight has almost returned to normal. I am now up to 174 pounds. My appetite is strong and I am ready for all the great food associated with the holidays.

On December 1st I will be going up to the LTFU (Long Term Follow Up) unit of the SCCA (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) for my six-month checkup. Usually patients don't return to LTFU until one-year post transplant. However, since I have chronic GVHD (graft versus host disease) they want to follow me more closely. My GVHD is currently being kept under control with daily alternating doses (50mg and 30mg) of Prednisone and 6mg of FK-506 twice a day.

Specific Prayer Requests:

- My GVHD to stabilize so I can get off of immunosuppressant drugs and avoid the possible long term side effects they may bring.

-My oldest son, CJ's back. Pray the two cracks in his L5 vertebrae will heal and help him to be patient during the healing process.

-Pastor Wren's daughter's Leukemia. Pray for her successful transplant and for the Lord to provide for the families financial needs associated with transplant. Sadly, Pastor Wren's son was shot and killed this past year. It is an understatement to say it has been a difficult year for their family.

-Brett's brain cancer and his daughter's Leukemia.

Life can sure be difficult sometimes. However, I pray everyone will be able to appreciate all their blessings this Thanksgiving and that they will overshadow the challenges we all face each day.

"For we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us."

Benjamin Franklin


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