INTRO

Mom sent this as an email earlier.  I want to get her set up on this blog site, so I'm going to put this as the first entry and see how it goes.  Please come back here for updates on Dad's progress throughout the next few weeks.  I will keep it updated if Mom doesn't have time.  Please keep her in your prayers as well.  The caregiver's job certainly isn't an easy one. 

Dear family & friends,

Wanted to write you all to let you know how things are with Don and where we are right now.  It's been a long time I know and I know you all have been anxious to hear something.  As my last letter indicated Don's #'s that they were monitoring reached the point where going ahead with further treatments would not change the #'s that much, if any.  So treatments were stopped and plans are in full force for the stem cell transplant. 

Today - the 21st we went to see Dr. Borrello (myeloma specialist) to touch base with him to go over all the recent tests Don had to undergo for preparations of the transplant.  With the results being what they were Don is ready for the next step.  On Thursday (the 23rd) we will go to Johns Hopkins and have a class for me to learn how to give Don shots (which I will administer next week) - how to clean and protect the catheter they will put in place on Friday (the location for administering the shots).  Saturday (the 24th) Don will have a chemo treatment called cytoxan mobilization - the duration of this will be about 12 hours.  They administer chemo to stir up the stem cells in the bone marrow so they will go into his bloodstream (this is to get him ready for the stem cell collection).  We will stay up in Baltimore on Thursday, Friday and Saturday night and return home on Sunday.  At the end of next week Don and I will have a place in Baltimore - hopefully at the Hackerman Patz facility - unfortunately even at this late stage it is still up in the air but hope to get confirmation of that this week.  Our stay at that time will be approximately 6 weeks.

I am attaching the final schedule (well as of today the 22nd it is final - but that can always change).  This will show you all where we are in this process.  Kristi wants me to start a blog - if I can get that set up I will make updates on that and send you all the link so you can follow us through this journey.

Before I send this - I am sending you the website for the MMRF race that we participated in last year and WILL BE attending this year - we would appreciate your support either by attending the race - making a donation or both.  We are optimistic that Don will be attending this race and we want to show him all the support we can!!

http://321cure.themmrf.org/site/TR/RaceforResearch/General?team_id=7870&pg=team&fr_id=1133

Also Mark & Kristi are selling tickets for a lottery drawing.  Here is the information for that -  raffle tickets are $5.  Each ticket has a 3 digit number.  There will be a winner every day for the month of November. The winning ticket will be the MD Lottery Evening pick 3 number.  Total prizes $2500...and $2500 will be donated to the MMRF.  You can email Kristi for more information - kristimarie09@gmail.com - but definately sounds like a good way for YOU and MMRF to benefit!!  Gotta play to win!!

Okay everyone - sending this off - keep happy, positive thoughts and prayers as our journey continues.  I will send you updates as we go along either in the blog or emails.  Please feel free to pass this email on.  I tried not to leave anyone out but there were so many folks I sent this to.

Our family loves and thanks you all for your support!  If you have questions please write anytime!

Muffin