Unexpected Tender Mercy

Dirk and I had a wonderful tender mercy this weekend. We had a window of opportunity to drive to Albuquerque to witness Grant's baptism.

The update of Dirk's Stem Cell is that he will be in the hospital for the stem cell gathering . This came as a surprise. Starting next Monday Oct. 7th. 

Stem Cell Stimulation Coming Right Up

The news for the day is that stem cell stimulation begins October 3rd.  The central line will be inserted October 4th.  Stem cell gathering will begin October 7th or 8th.

Chemo treatment is tentatively scheduled to begin October 18th  (one day after my 60th birthday).  What a way to celebrate 60 years...

Thank you everyone for all of your prayers, well wishes and kind remembrances.

Good News

No liquid found=no lung surgery! Answer to prayers! Dirk should find out tomorrow if the stem cell transplant time will be moved up.

Waiting Game

Ever hear hurry up and wait? Dirk had x-ray today more blood tests. So now we wait.

Date for stem cell transplant

Today dr. confirmed amyloid on Dirk's lung lining. The plan is for Dirk to go back to the hospital on Monday for a lung X-ray to check the fluid on his lung.

He will have lung surgery next week and is scheduled for Oct. 4 to start stem cell stimulation.

A Day With The Lung Doctor

7:07 AM

Filling out more papers Dirk's favorite thing to do. This morning they will be taking fluid off his lungs and then they will scope the inside of his lungs to determine what is going on. Thankful they are trying to get all the information regarding his health before they start the stem cell transplant.

8:50 AM

Just met the lung specialist. We feel confident Dirk is in good hands. Today they will possibly biopsy the lung and look for a slow growing infection that could be the cause of the fluid on his lungs. The amyloid could be the cause.

This being said they might have to seal the lining to the lung. This would be surgery that would require hospital stay one to three days. Dirk has a great attitude. 

11:00 AM

Just dropped Dirk off to work. The constant in life is change. That seems to be true with Drs. and health issues. No internal biopsy of the lung. We call tomorrow after 2 pm to hear the results. Enjoy the journey!

Peace along the Journey

Dirk had and x-ray of his lung just before his appointment today. Bone marrow transplant (BMT) Dr. wants Dirk to go to a lung dr.  His lung has quite a bit of fluid on it. He wants to know more of his lung condition before they start the process of the Stem Cell Transplant.

So thankful for good insurance!  

This Wednesday Dirk has an appointment for thoracentesis. (drain the fluid off his lung) and another test. BMT dr. wants to get things moving.

Tomorrow is going to come early. (7:00 am early)  It will be interesting to hear what the lung Dr. has to say.

Grandma C my hero

I look to Grandma C as an example of cheerfully enduring adversity. I am changing "fear" to "faith" and looking for the tender mercies that happen everyday. I am keeping a journal of the many tender mercies that happen each day. I know we have faith and prayers going out to our family from family and friends. Thank you for being there for us.  This gives us strength.

Let the Adventure Begin

After lots of Doctor's and tests and no answers we finally received a diagnosis for Dirk. Dr. Call, a Hematologist concluded that Dirk has a non traditional cancer, Light Chain Amyloidosis. A blood cancer that impacts the muscles.  Tomorrow Dirk meets with Dr. Hoda at the Stem Cell Transplant Clinic. We will receive information regarding his current health condition and the process of the Stem Cell Transplant.  It sounds like the pace is going to pick up.