3/6/11 - Catching Up

Didn't realize how long it had been when I went to the blog site. I know there are some that have been checking for updates so thought I would catch up.

On 12/15 we had posted that Don's bone marrow test showed at that time 0% plasma cells in his bone marrow. We go on 4/13 for Don to have another bone marrow test so we are so hopeful the results are the same. On this same date he will have blood work, bone marrow and vaccine. Our return trip is 4/20 and we will find out the results of all these tests. I will get back here to let everyone know.

Don is doing good. In my mind he is doing great. He would, however, disagree with that terminology. When I think great - I remember our stay up in Baltimore - his time when he was in the hospital feeling so bad with fevers and diarrhea - that was a very bad time for him. So to me to compare how he is to back then - yes I think he's doing great. He still is tired alot of the time - but he works a full day - which also involves alot of time on the road. That to me in itself makes for being tired. He hasn't gotten back to a full routine of exercising or running - but he is trying. I think because he is so tired this is preventing him from getting back to this the way he wants. But I have faith he will. I keep reminding him it hasn't been 6 months yet since his stem cell transplant - he just has to be patient - it will come.

The family is doing wonderfully. Wedding plans are in full force for Kristi and Charlie and we are looking so forward to this wonderful day. We also will have a new baby Hood in October of this year (Mark & Sabrina) and of course we all couldn't be happier with this news :):). Raelynn & Kendall are getting so big and continue to bless our lives everyday!

Okay everyone, I will be back after the bone marrow test to let you know the results.

Until next time.......

Keep the prayers coming - we need and appreciate them all

Love you all!!

Don & Muffin

1/8/2011 - Catching up

            

Wanted to stop by to say hello and to wish everyone a Happy New Year.  We all had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends and hope you all did as well. 

The family is doing wonderfully – grandkids continue to grow up way too fast for all of us and bless our lives and hearts each and every day.  We are looking forward to June 10 when our daughter Kristi will marry Charlie – we couldn’t be happier JJ.

Don has been doing really well up to right now.  He is battling a cold which really has him down.  He’s been in bed since he got home yesterday from work but hopefully it won’t take him long to get rid of this bug.  He’s thankful he was able to avoid it up till now – please say prayers that it goes away quickly!

We continue to go up to John’s Hopkins for blood work and the vaccine he is taking as part of the trial for Dr. Borrello.  We will meet with Dr. B on 2/14 to discuss his blood work that will be done on 2/7.  We’re just hoping and praying everything is on track and his #’s continue to steadily improve. 

I will come back to let you all know about the discussions with Dr. B.

Until next time……

Keep the prayers coming – we need and appreciate them all!

Love you all!

Don & Muffin

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

12/24 - Merry Christmas Eve to everyone!!

Wanted to say hello to everyone and to wish you all a wonderful time with your family, loved ones and friends.

We have so much to be thankful for this year - not to say we're not thankful "every" year - but what a year this has been - and at this point in time Don is doing great!!  He and I both have returned to work - almost ready for Santa and can't wait to spend this wonderful time with our friends and family.

He is feeling good - still has to take it easy - but considering how he was few months ago - he has come a long long way and we are so truely thankful for that.  He will continue his visits to see Dr. Borrello, the Myeloma Specialist, and will continue with his vaccine schedules. 

Thank you all for your continued support and prayers.

Keep those prayers coming - we need and appreciate them all!!

Until next time......

Love you all!

Don & Muffin

12/15 - Wonderful News To Share

Wanted to say hello to everyone and to pass on some wonderful news J - below is what our daughter Kristi posted on face book – for those that don’t have it – come on, get with it hahaha!!! 

·        

·         "An early Christmas present for the entire Hood family and supporters :) As of today, Dad has 0% (ZERO) plasma cells (Myeloma) in his bone marrow. When he was diagnosed he was at 60-80%!! There are still tiny traces of the cancer in the blood BUT Dr. B said they can still come down with his ongoing vaccine. So for... now, we celebrate the great news and enjoy the holidays with our loved ones! ♥♥♥"

We had an early appointment today – Don had blood work – then our visit with Dr. Borrello – he said all of Don’s blood work #’s looked great and gave us the wonderful news.  Needless to say we couldn’t be happier JJ.  Dr. B signed Don’s paper to go back to work – he asked Don with or without restrictions.  Don hesitated and said as much as he would love putting down “with restrictions” – meaning maybe going back on a limited schedule he told Dr. B no – no restrictions.  He will do his best and see what happens – that’s all he can do is try.  He is looking forward to going back in that it’s one step closer to his “normal” routine.  A few months back we had doubts when he would resume anything normal.  But as the weeks have gone by he is slowly but surely getting back to his “normals”.

After discussions with Dr. B he had to meet with Anna to give him his vaccine – this is the vaccine that is part of the trial he is participating in with Dr. B.  It’s too early to know how the vaccines will help – only time will tell that.  He has another series of shots in April.

Okay everyone – wanted to share our good news.  We are so blessed with so many friends and family who have supported Don during this process.  We asked for your continued support and prayers – it’s not over yet but the prognosis is great!!

Until next time......

Keep the prayers coming – we need and appreciate them all!

Love you all!

Don & Muffin

12/9 - Saying hello!

Thought I would say hello to everyone.  I know there are many who come here frequently checking for any updates.  As you know, we've been home for 3+ weeks now.  This is my 2nd full week of getting back to work and it's going good.  I am able to get help from 2 ladies in my office and what a big relief this has been for me.  I appreciate them so so much.  Don is doing good.  He continues to improve each day - but like I have said many times before - he has a long way to go.  He still tires and has pain in his legs - calves and quadriceps.  Not sure why still but that is one of the questions we have for Dr. Borrello next week.  This past week we made a trip to Johns Hopkins.  Don had to have blood work done and a bone marrow test.  The latter is always painful but he takes it all in stride.  He knows he has to do it so no complaints from him, ever.  We do go back next Wednesday and we will meet with Dr. Borrello and Don will have another phase of the vaccine shots that is part of the trial he is doing with Dr. Borrello.  Don is supposed to go back to work in 2 weeks.  Not sure right now if that will happen.  From all that we've read it really could be too soon - we just have to wait and see what Dr. Borrello says. 

I'll come back soon to let you all know how our appointment went.  I'm sure everyone is preparing for the Christmas holiday - a busy busy time for everyone!!

Keep the prayers coming - we need and appreciate them all!

Until next time.......

Love you all!

Don & Muffin

11/28 - Saying hello

Thought I would let everyone know how Don is doing since I left you last.  He is improving day by day.  He still continues to get dizzy sometimes when he gets up or bends over.  If you remember his blood pressure was so low many times we had to go over to IPOP for blood work.  It was still low when we left Baltimore but the doctor just said he had to be careful when he stood up or was laying down and got up - we still wonder what was causing this but no one could ever really give us a good explanation.  Well any explanation for that matter.  So he is just careful and always aware of his position so he can raise himself up slow.  His eating is improving and he is getting his taste buds back.  He's not totally there yet but it is improving.  We take turns driving - oh happy day haha!!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with our family.  My daughter cooked the turkey and everyone else brought the sides so it really worked out great that way.  We were able to spend time with our future son in law's parents and that was wonderful.  We did miss our son Brian - his family couldn't make it to dinner as Raelynn had just had her tonsils out.  We did see them early that day so we were happy with that :):).

I return to work tomorrow after being out since September 20.  Will be nice to see everyone but I will miss Don terribly :(.  I know he will be okay since Gram is here and his brother lives right down the road and gets off work early in the day -  so if he needs anything they will be right there.  Of course, if he needs me it won't take me long to get home.

Okay everyone - I'll be back in a few days.  Just wanted you to know how Don is doing.  He does have 2 appointments scheduled for December.  The next one is another bone marrow test which he isn't looking forward to :( - can't say I blame him. 

Keep the prayers coming - we need and appreciate them all!

Until next time......

Love you all!

Don & Muffin

11/22 - Catching up

Thought I would say hello and to let you all know about the past few days – I think I left here on the 18^th.  We are enjoying being home so much.  Don is getting a little better day by day.  He’s been doing some light painting on trim for our new deck door that Don’s brother and friend put in while we were gone.  We love it!!  Today we cut the grass – Don would do a couple of strips and then I would – we kept doing that and it got done and it didn’t wear him out – me, well that’s another story haha!!  I got to drive our small rider lawn mower that Mark our son had gotten Don a couple of years ago.  Oh we pushed the front and part of the back but did use the rider to bag some leaves and then to mulch part of the yard.  There were leaves everywhere!!!  I was on the rider and the clothes line poll jumped right in front of me *LOL*.  Yeah okay I kinda hit it – not hard but enough that I got stuck.  Wouldn’t ya know it – Don wasn’t outside so I just sat there cause I couldn’t get it in reverse.  It actually was kinda fun riding it – better than pushing the whole yard, for sure!!  I’m actually looking a little forward to hopping on the rider again and see if I can get some wheelies going – hahaha!!!!

We found out Don can start exercising again – he will take it slow and easy but it was great hearing he can start again.  Of course the doctor stressed to take it easy – no worries about that.

We are going over to our daughter Kristi and future son-in-law Charlie’s house for Thanksgiving – we can’t wait for that!!  Hope there are lots of leftovers!!!

I go back to work on Monday, the 29^th.  I wish I could say I am looking forward to that.  I mean, I do miss my friends at work and it will be great to see them all.  It will just be so hard leaving Don L.  One positive thing is Gram will be here with him so I know she will take good care of him.  It will just be hard – but he knows I’m just a phone call away and if he needs me I will be home before he knows it.

Okay everyone – Don and I would like to wish you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.  I’ll be back to let you know how Don is doing.  You all can write me anytime and I mean that sincerely – or call us!!!

Keep the prayers coming – we still need and appreciate them all!  Another prayer request please - our granddaughter Raelynn is having her tonsils out on Tuesday - tomorrow actually - please pray all goes well and she gets all better soon!!

Until next time…..

Love you all!

Don & Muffin