Slide Show

This is a slide show of pictures from a recent family party. Gina and Mel got together and decided we should have a family party while Dad is feeling good right now. Well, it was a wonderful evening full of memories, laughs, tears and lots of love. So here is some memories for anyone who would like to share. And I know all of the family would like to send their prayers and love to Michelle and John in St. Louis, we are praying for you and we hope you are comforted at this time.
As far as an update Dad continues to feel well, we will post anything as soon as we hear. So for right now No news is good news.

Make a Smilebox photobook

Attention anyone who wants to be on the donor list for free!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that right now September 7-22 NASCAR is sponsoring a bone marrow registry drive. You can get on the registry for free and you can do it from home!! Just go to this link http://www.marrow.org/HELP/Events/NASCAR/index.html and you can sign up and do a short medical history and NASCAR will cover the cost of the kit $52. If you were interested in getting on the registry but like everyone else money is a little tight, this would be a great option. Take Care ALL!!
I'm sure Gina and Mel would like me to remind all the family about the birthday party/family picture/potluck day next Saturday at Mom and Dad's church.
Love to you all!

A little post...

So Dad went to the hospital just recently and they told him...See you in thirty days!! Isn't that awesome!!

An Update and an apology...

I wanted to update you all on Dad's condition, things are going really well his platelets have risen to 60,000!!! on their OWN!! He went to go to the hospital about a week and a half ago and they sent him home and told him see you in two weeks! Very good news! We are so grateful for all the thoughts and prayers that have been offered on behalf of Dad. They are obviously working. I apologize for not updating sooner. I have been getting ready to start teaching at the kids school and have been very busy getting everything I need. I will update as soon as I have more info. Thanks again. Bankhead Family.

A side post

This is from Jamie Dad's grandaughter, I talked to Dad about some of kids getting tested and he actually hadn't even thought about it. And when I mentioned this he thought it was a good idea regardless. So if you want to you can contact Jamie to get the details. Here is the post from Jamie.

As much as the doctors say that Grandpa's children and grandchildren are unlikely to be matches, stranger things have happened. I work in organ donation where organs are allocated every day based on many aspects, one of which being antigens. I'm not saying I am an expert by any means, nor am I saying that I know more than the doctors BUT since I work in this field every single day I feel like I have a pretty good understanding of what we are up against. It is my feeling and belief that anyone in the family who wants to be tested as a donor for Grandpa ~or~ to be a donor for someone else in his same situation (believe me, they are out there), I would encourage you to do so. The cost to be tested against Grandpa's antigens alone and done locally in Utah is $355. The cost to join the National Marrow Donor Program to be among the 12,000 U.S. donors is $55. I know money is tight for everyone right now but I can't think of anything that is more important to me. I don't know if anyone reads these comments and I would hope that I haven't offended anyone, I just feel such desperation to find someone to help Grandpa

Not so good news...

Well after having visited with Dad yesterday, the news is not so good. Apparently on top of having unique good looks, Dad also has unique antigens in his blood and they having only been able to find one donor in the world that's right world. It came from Southern Italy and they cannot find this person right now. I offered to go looking for him but no deal. So Dad has said that he is pretty disappointed, he says he feels like in the beginning the doctors really tried to sell him on the bone marrow plan and Dad felt good about it, and now they have for the last week been trying to talk him out of the bone marrow. So we are in a holding pattern to see how he does, his platelet counts are not going up like they have hoped but he is able to get them outpatient at Mckay Dee. He did say he will need to go in next Friday regardless of what happens. But we would ask for your continued prayers. Also even though in the heat of this summer it is hard to imagine but cold and flu season is right around the corner and now more than ever, Dad cannot get sick so please keep that in mind when visiting. Also something to remember is even though it is so natural for all of us, if you could think twice about shaking Dad's hand or even just a put a glove on before you do, (there is some right by the front door and masks too!) It is just such an easy way to pass germs. Thank you again for all your love and prayers and thank you so much to the members of the Layton Hills Stake I took up the guestbook letters and Dad just loved them. Keep them coming he really does appreciate it. Thanks a ton!

Dad is home!

Dad came home today, I don't have much information, but I will update as soon as I see him tomorrow. I am sure he is very glad to be there it has been a while. Thank you all for your comments on the guestbook, I know he appreciates them.