Fairy Tale

If ever there were a real-life handsome prince and his beautiful princess living the fairy tale romance most people only read about, it's these two:

Infusion

I took dad to see one of his doctors at the cancer institute yesterday. He was very unhappy with all the weight that dad has lost (9 more lbs since his visit 2 weeks ago). He told us that if dad doesn't get a picc line he will soon die because his immune system will surely fail without the proper nourishment. He has an appointment at St. Marks tomorrow afternoon to get a picc line inserted and then he will have a home health care service come out everyday and change his feeding bag. I know this is not what he wanted and he has been trying to eat as much as he can and mom does an incredible job taking care of him and feeding him. I think dads nausea is what is hindering his appetite. Hopefully he will put his weight back on quickly and be able to overcome all of this. He is a fighter and we need him for a long long time. Please keep him in your prayers.

Love you all and love you dad!!!

Thank you to everyone who called, emailed or stopped by for dad's birthday, he really appreciated that and had a wonderful day (despite having to lay down most of the time).

He's started physical therapy twice a week and has done very well. His therapists have been very impressed with his strength, although it takes everything out of him, he still tries very hard and never quits.

We are still taking things one day at a time and hoping that he will be able to put on some weight and have the strength to do normal day to day things.

He is still losing weight and feeling sick all of the time, so please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. He loves to get emails and comments although doesn't have much strength to respond, it still means a lot to him.

Love to all and please know how much everyone's support means to all of us!

Happy Birthday Daddy!

A very happy birthday to our sweet Dad. May you have a wonderful day filled with good friends, family, and improved health.

Happy 62nd. And MANY, MANY more!

We love you.

I've posted a couple pictures of Dad's car with hopes that he might be able to go for a birthday drive. I know he misses his car almost as much as his favorite daughter in Hawaii. :)

Thank You, Dad

Dear Dad,

Thank you.

I hope everyone who reads your blog, who loves you and hopes all the best for you will take the time this Memorial Day to think of you and thank you for your service. It is thanks to heroes like you that we enjoy the freedoms this wonderful country provides. And it is thanks to your example that I have grown up with pride and honor for our country.

Thank you for your selfless sacrifices. I hope you are able to enjoy your holiday. I hope you get some sunshine and lots and lots of food!

I love you.

Semper fi,

Diana

CAFE RIO

Great news! Dad was finally able to eat a full meal!!! April got him tamales and a burrito from Cafe Rio last night and he managed to eat it all! We're hoping this is a sign that his appetite is coming back and he's going to start gaining weight instead of losing it.

Keep up the good work dad!!!

KEEP THE FAITH

Dad had an appointment today at LDS hospital with his transplant specialist, she had the results of his bone marrow biopsy that they did two weeks ago. April, mom and I went with him. The doctor informed us that Dad's leukemia had gone into remission and that they did not see the Philadelphia chromosome. We thought that this was wonderful news, however because dad is still on oxygen and has lost so much weight and strength and can't even eat, he would most likely not make it through a transplant right now. She said that the toxins would be too much for his body to handle. April asked the doctor how long he could be in remission and gain the strength to receive the transplant and she said that he would have only months to live. Dad's insurance no longer covers a physical therapist to come to the house and work with him, but between mom and all of his kids, we are going to get him healthy enough for the transplant.

He has an appointment with his Oncologist at St. Marks on Thursday, so we will talk to her about a feeding tube so he can at least get his nourishment that way until his appetite comes back or at least where we can mention food without him getting nauseated.

When dad does receive the transplant she said that he will have a 20% chance of the leukemia being cured and without the transplant he will not make it.

We all know that dad is strong and that he has already beat the odds several times. Let's not focus on the percentages right now, but have faith and prayers that we will witness yet another miracle.

His spirits are a little low right now but we are going to do all we can to help him fight this.

Again, we love you all and appreciate the friendship, support and prayers on our father's behalf.

Please continue to pray and have faith and feel free to email him or comment on this blog and we will make sure he gets all of your messages (he loves it!)

Thanks again! Love Karen