Back to the Chemo!!

Well Dad is back in the hospital for another round of chemo, he is in room 844. They are hopeful to find a donor soon, they are looking for an outside donor. So if you are in the area stop by and see him. He has said in the last couple of days, that this is the best he had felt in months. So that is definitely good news! Thanks to you all!

Happy Fathers Day

I just wanted to post a picture and give a quick update on how Dad is doing. He went into the hospital this week for more tests and thought he was going to stay, and they checked him into a room and then quickly checked him out and he was able to come back home! So we hope that means he is doing well. He seems to be well and his spirits seem to be up as long as he gets to come down to the farm once in a while. This picture was on Father's day I thought they were so cute in their matching masks.

Feeling Better

This week Dad is back in the hospital, but feeling much better than he was the week before. He even said how much better the food tasted. We were wondering if the chemo makes the food taste funny to him. We don't think its a different chef at the hospital. Anyway he should be able to come home this weekend and that always makes him very happy. Thank you to everyone who has left guestbook signatures we try to give them to him as often as we see him. Thank you for all the love and prayers!

Update

Just to let you all know, Dad returned to the hospital on Tuesday the 20th for another round of chemo, and then was able to come home today the 26th. Dad has said that this round has been a little harder on him, he has had a slight fever and not felt quite as good but as he said, lots of people would love to feel as bad as he does. Please continue to keep him and mom in your prayers. Dad will return to the hospital at the latest Thursday the 29th or as soon as his blood levels drop. Dad said today he is concentrating on quality of life and making the most of the time he has at home. Sorry it has been so long between posts I will try to update more often. Thank you all!!

Update!!!

The following is an update from Karen for those of you who did not recieve the email.

Dads visit to the hospital went very well, his blood counts were right where they should be and he had the biopsy done. The first results will be in on Monday which is when the team of Dr's plan to have a meeting regarding dads case. Dad will check back into the hospital on Tuesday afternoon for a round of consolidation therapy (chemo) he will be there anywhere from 5 days to 1 month. Some patients go home after the therapy but have to return a week later when the counts start to drop, others go home and stay unless they develop a fever or infection others (usually older) stay in the hospital the entire time.

Lois Fay is a match for the transplant but they are looking at all possibilities and pros and cons of using a related donor versus someone else. Lois Fay will still have to pass the physical and family history prior to the transplant if they choose to use her. One pro of using an unrelated donor is the chance of it coming back is lower than when a related donor is used.

You can't keep a good man down!

In true Clair Bankhead fashion, Guess who came down with Dan on the farm today?? You guessed it that's right Dad was down here gloved and masked but here all the same. He claimed it was the best therapy he had. He told us he was having a pity party (I thinks he's allowed) but coming down to the farm helped him. The grandkids were excited to see him too, and he was excited to show them his bald head. It was so good to see his spirits up! It's funny what cows and kids can do for a man!!

Good News

Dad is coming home today, Amazing, we thought it would take much longer. However, Dad is a little hesitant about going home though he is worried that he will get sick again and be in worse shape than he is now. So we do still need to remember to be very careful, children and sick adults are still not a good idea. We can still send our love however especially because now Dad has the internet at home. (See what happens when you go in the hospital for a couple of days...mom goes high tech:) ) So he will be able to read the guestbook signatures right from home. Here is the latest picture of dad with a fancy hat that a neighbor made for him. Thank you for all the prayers and support, they must really be working for him to be going home so soon!!