Day +126

We had a pleasant weekend. On Saturday, my cousins stopped by to visit us. It had been a year and a half since we had seen Yi-Shan and Osamu. It had been close to three years since I had seen Yi-Ting...Joe was able to meet her for the first time. We had great fun hanging out. My mom came over too.

Sunday was Mother's Day. After calling our moms, Joe and I went to the hospital to have his blood drawn. We decided to wait for the results in case he needed anything. Joe's parents so kindly offered to meet us at home with lunch. Joe ended up needing another platelet transfusion which meant some waiting, so Joe's parents ended up bringing lunch to the hospital! It was nice to spend time with them even if it was in the hospital. After Joe's transfusion, he decided it would be fun to go visit my parents. We would see my cousins too, since they were staying there. It had been over a year since we went back to my parents house. So off we went! It was fun, and we stuffed ourselves silly!!!! As a rule, I like to have our moms over for a meal on Mother's Day. But we have the greatest moms ever and they were more than happy to each provide us with a good meal this year. Thank you!!!!!!

Today we went back to visit the doctor. After the platelet transfusion on Sunday, it seems that Joe's count only went up a little bit. We were excited on Sunday because Joe's WBC had gone up a bit; by today it had not gone up or down. And Joe's hemoglobin went down slightly. As of Sunday's blood draw, Joe is also still CMV positive. Joe's doctor said that it is pretty amazing that after so many weeks of being CMV positive Joe has shown no symptoms. At least 80% of patients who test CMV positive for a few weeks exhibit symptoms like pneumonia. We are so grateful Joe has not shown any symptoms, but it sure would be nice if Joe were negative again so we wouldn't even have to worry about it. For now, Joe is going to be continuing Ganciclovir twice a day for another week, and getting another Cidofovir treatment on Thursday. Pretty much, we heard two good things today: 1.) Joe doesn't have any symptoms from CMV. 2.) Joe's rash really and truly seems to be getting better.

Then the serious talk began. As noted before, Joe will be getting another bone marrow biopsy next week. Now it looks like it will be on Monday, May 21. This biopsy will determine much of what our next year will be like. If Joe's marrow shows improvement as far as a decrease in abnormal cells and an increase in donor cells, we will continue with monthly Vidaza. If Joe continues to show signs of relapse or no change at all then a second transplant is definite. Joe's treatment would follow that of patients with AML (acute myelogenous leukemia.) Joe would be admitted to the hospital for 7-10 days for induction chemotherapy and low-dose radiation. The intent would be to bring him into remission. Following induction, Joe would recover for four weeks and then go into transplant with a different donor. Joe's doctor is an extremely positive person, and for him to discuss all of this so seriously showed us that it is a very real possibility. In fact, one of the doctors on the team was already prepared to start Joe on induction chemo before finding out the results of Joe's next bone marrow biopsy.

It is feeling very surreal. Pretty much we would be starting everything all over again. We're just being ourselves right now. Who knows what kind of miracle God may have in store for us by next week. The thing is, although I'm the opposite of thrilled about the possibility of that "second option," Joe has proven to me that he has the strength, stamina, perserverance, and faith to handle anything that comes his way. He has said himself that physically, mentally, and spiritually he feels great. It is his insides that seem to be wreaking havoc. If I had any doubts before, I certainly do not have any doubts now that Joe will overcome any obstacles in his way. Everything just might take a bit longer than anticipated. That is okay. God has perfect timing, and who are we to interfere with that?

p.s. There is a sweet boy named Shane who has ALL and is collecting birthday cards! If you get a chance, send him one. Click on the links for more info, or visit http://www.shaneswish.com/.

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Thank you to both of our moms for never taking breaks from being moms - even on Mother's Day!

Thank you to Yi-Ting, Yi-Shan, & Osamu for coming to visit us!!!! We loved hanging out with you.

Thank you I-ju for calling us from Taiwan. Sorry, we missed your call, but we loved hearing your voice!

Thank you TK for your company!

Thank you Roger for the beautiful, beautiful card. We heard your had great talent and creativity, now we know it is so true!

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It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
~Acts 1:7-8