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!!! 

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·         "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