May 28, 2004

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

"When faced with a mountain, I will not quit! I will keep on striving until I climb over, find a pass through, tunnel underneath, or simply stay and turn the mountain into a gold mine, with God's help." Robert Harold Schuller

Thursday morning and we're off to the clinic. Clinic started with the typical drill of heading to the blood lab where a special draw for blood cultures was taken to test for any abnormal cultures in my blood. Results due back in a couple days. They keep taking all this blood everyday I'm going to need a refill soon.

After blood tests it was off to clinic to meet with the team doctors and nurse. On the positive, my counts continue to move in the positive in almost every area. My magnesium is a bit low, so my home infusion doses will be increased. On the negative, the most recent skin biopsy showed positive for GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease) in my skin. Actually, the doctors expected positive results. It's been good that they have started the drug Prednisone a couple weeks ago, because it appears to be effectively controlling the skin GVHD. Actually, they are going to begin slowly tapering me off the Prednisone over the next six weeks. I'll be glad to be done with Prednisone. The drug tends to cause swelling, puffiness, weaker immune system, and atrophies the muscle tissue.







I do my best to combat the negative effects of the Prednisone by eating well and exercising regularly. I'm pretty weak, but working out at any level makes me feel like I'm doing something to maintain some strength which can only have a positive effect on my recovery.

At the end of Thursday's clinic I posed the big question for the doctors. "Can I have permission to travel an hour south to watch my son CJ's championship track meet this afternoon?" My doctor's response, "John, you can't miss this track meet! Go!" You can imagine my response.

What a blessing to be able to go watch CJ run. We stayed in the van away from all the people, but I had a perfect view of the meet. It was tough leaving after the meet, however. Being away from my boys for so long is a difficult emotional battle for me. I just need to maintain my focus, however, of why I'm going through all of this. I'm having this transplant so I can have many more years with my family. Though very hard at moments, I know it is worth the sacrifice.

Friday was a fun day! A core group of my high school students came up so we could work together on the 2004 Senior Video Project.

Joe, Nikko, Nathan, and Jake came up with all their editing gear and we turned the apartment's banquet room into an editing studio. It was so awesome to see the boys again and we accomplished a lot. It was such a great distraction for me and just a reminder of how blessed I am to teach such incredible kids. I have the best job in the world. I had to take several breaks from the kids to go up to my apartment and rest, but the time I did spend with the students was the best. Thanks again guys for coming up, it meant so much just to be together today.

Aside from all the fun and special experiences of the past couple days, I am having some new symptoms with my stomach. The symptoms started mildly yesterday with some general abdominal discomfort. Unfortunately, the symptoms appear to be getting progressively worse. I had to run into the clinic this morning to leave a stool sample. I have to go into clinic again tomorrow morning to run further tests and to have the clinic doctors examine me further. I will be praying the doctors can find out the cause of my stomach discomfort quickly and effectively treat it. Days like today are not easy and present a real challenge for me physically and emotionally.

Please be praying for my stomach symptoms and for a quick and effective remedy to the problem. In the back of my mind I worry about GVHD (Graft Versus Host Disease) in my gut. I will pray this is not the case. It would mean additional medications and I'm feeling a bit maxed on meds right now. I just need to continue to know that the Lord is in control and he will be with me in the good times and the most challenging times. He will get me through this, I just need to trust and pray.

When I am suffering or going through tough times I try and find comfort and inspiration through God's word, Christian readings, prayer, Christian music, and fellowship with friends. Today I found a great spiritual quote that I can apply to the physical and mental challenges I have been facing these past few days:

"Either he will shield you from suffering or he will give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, then, and put aside all anxious thoughts." Francis de Salas

With the Lord's help and Grace...I will try!

A continued thank you to everyone who continues to pray for and support my family and me, it makes all the difference.

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