Destination Unknown

The blood counts today were almost exactly the same as they were last week. They're still low, but haven't dropped in two weeks. This gives us a little more time to plan for the bone marrow transplant.

Things are still up in the air as to where the transplant will be done. This has been somewhat frustrating, but yet we're grateful to be able to be home a couple more weeks. I'm really hoping we can be home until school is out. Jenna will be moving back home for the summer later this month. I told her it will be a great help to have a "Mama" home with Daniel and Mary.

Ray's energy level has been amazingly good. He still goes to the shop everyday and is able to take care of things there. He's having a really hard time trying to decide what to do with all that. First, he was going to auction everything but now he's having second thoughts. I just want him to be at peace with his decision.

Just today I received a really good one liner in an email from a dear friend of ours. (Thanks Louis!) "Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain."

Love you all,
Kim

Today's Visit

We didn't find out much more today than we already knew. However, this is what we learned. Ray's blood counts haven't changed much since last week. A couple of the numbers were up a little and a couple were down a little. The Dr. was very pleased with this since they had all dropped significantly last week from the previous week. (Hope that makes sense.) Dr. called the progression "indolent" for the time being, adding that the progression can change at any time.

As of now, we are in the process (paperwork) of getting in to see a Dr. in Houston for an evaluation. The Dr. here has spoken to the Dr. there and all Ray's records have been sent to the Houston Dr. At the moment Ray's advantage is his good health.

Donors? We were told last July, should we ever get to this point, that a donor would be found from the national registry. However, today the Dr. said with Ray having 8 siblings, which he called "a bone marrow gold mine" we should probably first try to find a match there. More on that later!

Love you all,
Kim

God is in charge!

Unfortunately, we got the news today that the leukemia is making a comeback. So that means the next step is a bone marrow transplant, which cannot done in Amarillo. Dr. would like to see the transplant done in either Houston or Bethesda, Maryland. He is working on that for now and we'll know more when we go back to see him next Thursday.

How is Ray feeling?? He feels really good, in fact, he is at the shop, working as I'm posting this. The fact that he's as healthy as he is, gives us a little time before the transplant. As far as how long his stay for the transplant could be; possibly as long as four months.

As we were driving away from the Dr. office, Ray says. "Lets's go celebrate." Of course I gave him a pathetic look asking just exactly what are we celebrating, and his response was "God is in charge! We don't have to be."

Love you all,
Kim

Happy New Year!

Our new year is off to a great start, and we hope yours is also! Ray got a terrific report on his blood counts today! His red blood count is only slightly below normal, and all his other counts are in the normal range. However, the red blood count IS much improved from what it was last month. The Dr., so very pleased, was all smiles. Ray doesn't have to go back for 6 weeks!

His energy is still steadily improving and he continues going to the shop for a short time each day. He's even added bike riding (stationary) and walking a mile to his daily routine.

We are praising and thanking God for Ray's healing, and we know it is due to so many faithful people praying for him that has brought him thus far. We also continue to thank God for each of you!

Love you all,
Kim

A Month Off

We had a really good visit with the Dr. this morning. Ray has definitely said "No" to another round of chemo, and the Dr. is O.K. with that. He feels he has a good chance of staying in remission without doing any more chemo. For the next few months, Ray will go in for monthly lab work. From those results the Dr. will be able to see whether or not the leukemia is still in remission. The next time we'll see the Dr. is Jan. 9, '09.

Ray was definitely walking a little taller and with a little dance in his step leaving the Dr.'s office. His blood counts were much improved today, so his energy level should also improve soon. He's great at doing some "honey dos" when he has the energy. So I've had him doing some "Santa honey dos" these past couple days. Believe me, this Santa is glad to have a helper.

Andy's graduation is Sat. morning, so our kids and grandkids will all be home Fri. evening. We are so excited to have them all here.

Thank you all so much, again for all your prayers, love and concern. You'll continue to be in our daily prayers. I probably won't be posting again for a few days. May you all have a very Merry Christmas!

Love you all,
Kim

Secret Confession

O.K. I had to 'fess up today and tell Ray about the previous post. However, I didn't take all the blame. As soon as he saw it, he knew who my "partner in crime" is.

We had a horribly cold, windy, snowy day, today. In spite of it all, we braved the elements and made a trip to Naz to see my Mom. With the north wind at our backs we flew down there, and then bucked the wind all the way back to Amarillo. It was a good trip.

Ray's energy is still very low; but is slowly improving. He will be going back to the Dr. tomorrow morning.

Love you all,
Kim

A Little Shaken Up?

"Chemo had me a little shaken up, but I'm fine now."