More good news

We still do not have all of the results from John's 100 day appointment. But, another exciting one is that  he is 100% his donor! That is super super exciting. The Dr.'s were hoping for at least 50%. We will meet with Dr. Peterson (the Director of the BMT program) on Oct.1 for a consult appointment and go over all the results with him. But this one and the bone marrow are the most important ones and we could not have hoped for better results.

What this means for now is that John is technically in remission :) But, it is complicated. He does not have a solid cancer, where when it is gone, it is gone and your life can go on. They are no cancer cells currently in him, but there are many other things to worry about. Pretty sure we don't have to worry about the cancer coming back. Although it is slightly possible. The Dr said it is super super rare for anyone to go back to their own cells after hitting 100% donor cells. And the only way his cancer can come back is if his cells come back. BUT, he still has NO immune system and won't for a while. Dr. Konopa said we now need to switch gears and just keep our eyes open for infections and graft vs. host disease. John is not considered cured for 5 more years. We are hoping the worst is behind us, but who knows.

I still sanitize like crazy, wash hands like crazy, dust every day. John can not vacuum or help in the yard either. If the kids even have a runny nose they can not be in the same room as John.  John still can not go any where with crowds. He really only leaves the house to go to appointments. Last night he went to the court of honor to see Michael receive his tenderfoot, but went late and left early. John will get another bone marrow biopsy in 9 months (at his one year post transplant date). And then he should start getting immunizations.

We are still stuck in our 45 min window from LDS Hospital. ( I am honestly going crazy) :) They say when he is down to a low dose steroid and gets his central line out we can go a little further. That might be by the end of the year at the earliest.

Our plan is to go to Disneyland ASAP!!!

100 DAY!!!!

John and I were able to go to the Draper temple this last week and do initiatories. It is one of our favorite things to do. 

On Monday John had his 100 day post transplant appointment. It went good. They did a bunch of tests and a bone marrow biopsy. He has now had 4 bone marrow biopsies and not that he likes them, but they are not at all as bad as the first one and he can totally tolerate them. They took a TON of blood and then called the next day and said they forgot some tests and needed more :) And then yesterday called and said they need to do 2 more tests next week! It is good to know how his body is responding and they are being very thorough and checking everything they can think of.

We have some test results back. One very exciting thing is that his bone marrow has come back with NO cancer cells. That is super good news. One test we are still waiting for is one that will tell us the percentage of his cells and his donors cells in his body - we hope that over half are his donors!! We should find out that one early next week.

John is feeling a little stronger each day. Just a little! I still walk behind him when he goes up the stairs and support his back, but not as much. It is getting a little easier for him to get out of chairs. And today he walked 2 miles. It was hard for him. It is so amazing how weak his body is.  You would not think that walking 2 miles would be hard, but it is. I have been pushing him a little :)

This is John on our 2 mile walk today - right at the end. He was tired.

Also John and I have been asked to speak in Stake Conference this weekend. For the adult session, our general session is a broadcast from the Conference Center. It will be a neat experience.

We are also just about at the one year mark of John having cancer signs. Almost exactly one year ago we sat in front of the Jordan River temple (we met on John's lunch break). We knew something was wrong, but we weren't sure what. I looked at him and said, " I think you have leukemia and it is going to be a long and hard year but we will be ok". Every thing about that statement was true! We hope and pray that the worst is behind us :)

Bees game

A few weeks ago John received a phone call from Jenny at LDS Hospital Public Relations. She asked him if he would like to throw out a first pitch at a Bees game. LDS Hospital is a major sponsor for the Bees. They were asked to get 3 people for first pitches for the last 3 games of the season. They had one employee and then actually John and one other guy (both from East 8 - cancer patients). John was so excited, and a little nervous :) The morning of the game he practiced at home to make sure he could throw it far enough. They also gave our family tickets to the game. The game was at 1 pm and we had to be there by 12:30. We got there and it was a nice day (a little warm, but not like it has been). We invited Jeff and Rachelle and Brook and Dave and their kids to come watch too.  Jeff and Rachelle were there early and were able to meet up with us. Before the game started they took us under the seats, the back way, down these halls and out on to the field (Jeff and Rachelle got to come too). We all stood off to the side kind of behind the catcher. They had 3 people doing a first pitch. John was 2nd.  It was really neat and the announcer did a thing on him and his donor drive and his transplants - it was super neat.  John pitched and did great. We took a bunch of pictures on the field and then went to our seats.

We have been to several Bees games. We always sit on the "lawn". Cheap seats and kids can run around and there is a play ground right behind the lawn.  Our seats to this game were about 9 rows up behind 1st base.  I forgot what it was like to actually be able to see the ball and to pay attention to what is going on :) John sat at a table near the lawn away from the crowds and I had the kids. Because we did not have to pay for tickets we decided to let the kids get some treats at the game (which we have never let them do). Also the day before the game some one gave us a little money and so that is what we used it for. The kids had fun with their super expensive lemonade and ice cream :)  We went to the lawn for a little bit, and then back to our seats. The Bees were losing big time so we left in the beginning of the 8th inning - John was super tired and ready to come home.

It was a fun day and we all had fun!

Now - tomorrow is his big 100 day post transplant appointment - we pray all the tests go well :)