August 15th

Dad had his staples out last week and his platelets are over 400,000 which is excellent. We could not be more pleased with his rate of recover so far. God's goodness toward us has been so tangible. Thanks for your prayers.

August 3, 2014

Dad was discharged today. He is doing well. His platelets were over 300,000 on Friday

Dad had surgery on Monday and is slowly improving. Most likely will be in the hospital until next week sometime. If you would like to send a card, please do. Home address is 4033 Shaffers Church Rd Glen Rock PA 17327. He is in York Hospital room 6041.
Amy

July 20, 2014

Dad will be undergoing three gamma-globulin infusions this week in preparation for the removal of his spleen. He meets with the surgeon on Thursday. The procedure is expected to be laproscopic.

July 3 2014

Dad is having an endoscopy today to determine why he has been having some nausea and discomfort. He has to have a transfusion beforehand because he platelets are around 20,000.

May 19, 2014
Dad has had two treatments with Vancristine, but his levels have not gone above 30,000, so they have opted to stop treatment. He will be monitored every month to see how his platelets are doing, and then meet with his doctor again in August to determine the  next step.

Tuesday April 29, 2014
Dad has had no adverse reaction to the Vancristine, other than some chills. He still has a rash, though, and we are not sure why, other than maybe his immune system is just overloaded right now. He plans to see a dermatologist about that. (it is itchy)
There are two more treatments to go with the Vancristine.

April 18, 2014

Dad's platelets do not seem to be improving, and his levels are remaining around 20-25,000, so his Dr. would like to do one treatment of Vancristine on Tuesday. This is a preparation for removing his spleen. I am not too happy with the idea of surgery, but then, who is? We will wait and see how things go. Thanks for your prayers.

Dad's platelets dropped to 27,000 this week. If his blood work does not show improvement, his doctor would like to initiate one dose of Vancristine. Dad also has a rash on his whole body and in his mouth, so he is on an antihistamine, and two types of topical medicine, along with an oral treatment for his mouth.

March 7, 2014

Dad's platelets are holding around 34,000. When he was moving a mattress in January, he had back pain. An x-ray shows a compression fracture on an L and T vertebrae. He went for a bone density scan since the steroids he takes may be impacting his bone strength. (no, he should not have been moving a mattress...)

March 2nd, 2014

Dad has experienced a drop in platelet levels over the past two weeks. When he went in on Monday they were 24,000. He opted not to start the Vancristine, but to wait and watch for symptoms of bleeding. He has had no sores in his mouth, which is good. The only symptom he's had is fatigue, but he is able to do daily activities so long as he paces himself. Friday he was at 33,000. It could be as long as May until the Rituxin takes full effect.
I have been praying the first half of Pslam 41 for him if you would like something specific to guide your prayers. Thanks.

Feb. 21, 2014 The Rituxan therapy is finished and we are about two weeks out, and dad's levels have dropped from 170,000 to 30,000 over the past fourteen days. Another chemo drug was an option, but he and mom have chosen to hold off. Monday they will do blood work again.

I meant 290,000. Sorry about that.
His levels are 160,000 this week. He is done with the Prednisone now, so we will see if his levels remain within normal limits. Dad has had a good energy level so far.

Dad did very well with his Rituxan on Friday. The only reaction he has had was mild chills which did not last very long. His last platelet count was 290, which is very good. He is on a gradual reduction in steroids.

January 11, 2014
Dad has a preparatory class on Rituxan on the 14th, and the chemotherapy may begin on the 17th. I spoke with him on Thursday and he sounded good. His energy right now is better and he is able to do mostly normal daily activities. Thanks for your ongoing prayers.

Jan 2, 2014

The titer analysis for Hep B revealed nothing significant warranting treatment. Dad begins another round of gamma globulin infusion tomorrow. He has five days of this, 5-6 hours a day. Thanks for your prayers and support.