Some Biopsy Results

Not all of the results are in yet, but a nurse called on Friday to say that my bone marrow was normal. I wasn’t quite sure what she meant. I hemmed around for a second and then said, “You mean there wasn’t any leukemia?” Right. That is very good. I am still waiting for the results from the chromosone testing to see if the marrow is all from my donor.

The rest of my counts look good – all in the normal range. Other results will tell me how suppressed my immune system is. I am not expecting any great news with that. It takes a long time to recover. My neutrophil level dropped about 6% (to about 59%). I was not happy about that. Don’t ask me what it means, all I know is that they are good cells. They seem very slow to recover. My wonderful oncologist, Dr. Workman, who got me into remission and through my initial chemotherapy treatments, spent a good amount of time explaining neutrophils to me, but I think my transplant wiped out much of my memory about them.

This biopsy went really well. Not very painful. Not bad recovery. Lisa, my nurse, said I got the “A” team this time.

Laura

Scout

I know there are people out there who think we are crazy for getting a dog. If you had told us six months ago that we would be getting one, we would have said you were crazy. Both Brad and I have a story about how we got to this point, but here are my highlights:

1.  My neice, Katie, wrote us a beautiful two page letter about how we should rescue a dog from the humane society and how we have the perfect house and yard for a dog. She offered to help take care of it, so we started thinking. A built-in dog sitter…hmmm.

2.   I asked my doctor if it would be a wise thing to get a dog. Not only did he say it was ok, he said it would probably be a good thing for our family. Owning a dog can actually increase your life expectancy and lower blood pressure.

3.  Brad and I had already decided that if I died from leukemia or complications from the transplant, we would go ahead and get the boys a dog. Obviously not to replace me, but to give the boys something to think about and take care of during a time of loss. We realized that those reasons are just as valid now as they would be if I died, and adjusting to a dog is probably easier right now. Sounds a little morbid, but that’s how I think.

4. Now that Micah is 12, we are leaving the boys home by themselves while we go out. Scout provides company and protection.

I had such a long list of requirements in a dog, that I was sure that there would not be one at the Humane Society that we would want – Not a puppy, house trained, not too big, not too small, not too yappy, likes to run and play but doesn’t demand excessive exercise, stays off the furniture, doesn’t jump on you, good with kids, etc…Well, I think we got him. Kind of a miracle really.

Facebook

If you want to see a picture of our new dog, Scout, you can look at my facebook page. I joined facebook after Brad created a page and was getting in touch with people he hadn’t seen or heard from in a while. It looked interesting, and I was surprised at the number of people I knew who had a page on the site. I barely know how to do anything. There are things such as flair & quizzes that I am afraid to touch. I did figure out how to post pictures. I am listed under Laura Simonel Grammer. There isn’t really much about me on there. I need to add information to my profile.

Howdy

Hello all.  It’s been QUITE some time since I blogged.  Since Laura has been feeling well, I’ve let her take over and keep up with everyone.  Laura and I were talking this week and she recommended I catch everyone up.

It’s been obviously a much different start to the new school year.  We are all too well aware that life can change in a moment.  I don’t believe we live under the stress of this but still continue to live one day at a time and enjoy each day we have of life.  Sometimes though I think there is still some unresolved emotion that resides in me.  About a week ago, I was sitting on the top floor of the downtown library working on my sermon.  The view is spectacular from the library and I was overlooking the north side of the city and happened to glance at Methodist hospital where Laura received her chemo treatments.  I immediately welled up with tears and started to cry.  I guess there’s still some unresolved emotion I need to work through.  That’s okay with me.  I just didn’t realize I had suppressed some of this emotion.

Something fun that happened this week is that I am now a Gold Card member of Starbucks.  Thank you to all of those in their generosity in blessing me with Starbucks cards.  Your blessing has now earned me the status of a gold member.  Soon my name will be under all of the Starbucks’ logos. 

Thank you to many of you who have expressed that you continue to pray for us.  We continue to need your prayers.  The Crossing (the church I pastor) continues to be a major challenge but it’s all good stuff.  I’m learning so much and growing through this experience.  Last week we had 65 people attending and 58% of those were low-income/homeless individuals.  We are so privileged to worship with individuals that some of the congregation doesn’t normally connect with during the week.  We don’t know where the church will continue to go but we are learning to flex and follow God’s plan.  Again, thank you for your prayers.

Love,

Brad