Bone Marrow Update

I had my biopsy on Wednesday afternoon. It hurt a lot this time, the doctor had to pull out two samples. The process is kind of interesting first they numb the area above your pelvis. They then make a small cut and push the needle through the bone. The needle is about half the size of a Bic pen. When he pushes the needle through the bone you can feel it hit the other side of the bone, kind of a cool feeling. Then he pulls out the samples each time it hurts the same, the pain is quick and sharp and is over as quick as it starts. He then takes a sample of the bone. That is the basics of a Bone Marrow Biopsy. I am sure that I have missed some parts but I am no doctor.

The results from the test came back this morning. The results were very good with 97% of good healthy cells, the remaining 3% were inmature cells. This is of no concern as these cells are just developing into good normal cells. It would have been bad if there would have been around 40% blasts. The Dr. is very happy with the results. I had the last treatment and should be out of here in a couple of weeks (hopefuly).

I am currently working out some issues with the soda/sugar embargo placed against me by LANI NISH. This has now grown into a movement with my other loyal friends {aka JILL JOHNSON}. Jill has caused her husband to halt the delivery of Atomic Sour Apple Slurpees to my room and this will continue until I get this mess cleaned up, or until I am released from the hospital and am able to purchase my own. I am currently thinking of things that they should have to do with out, I am open to suggestions....

On Wednesday I attemped to escape from the hospital, only once again LANI foiled my plans. Aaron needs to get a faster escape vehicle.

We watched the repair people at the hospital try to replace some ceiling lights. This was quite funny as he had to replace one lightbulb THREE times. This tremendous job required one man on the lift, one on the ground, two security guards [for laughter(no wonder my Suburban got broke into as he was too busy watching the repair people)] all watching the guy replacing the lightbulb. I no longer wonder why it is so expensive to be in the hospital.

Thanks again to everyone who has commented on my blog it is really fun to see who is reading.

Remember your suggestions on things that Lani and Jill should have to go without..

Here is what I have thought of:

1. Nice haircuts, I am able to do them for free

2. Cheese cake factory with friends

3. Swiming parties in the middle of the day {sun causes skin cancer}

4. Tanning beds {causes cancer as well}

5. ???????

First Day of School

The kids made it back safely and are ready for school. They were up at 4:30 because of the thunderstorms. Aubree fell out of bed because the noise scared her. They finally went back to bed but were soon up again at 6:00 am, they made there own lunches, beds, and set the table for breakfast. Do you think they were excited? They still rode their bikes despite all the rain. I can't believe summer is over already.

Casey is doing good. His counts are at 0.2 which is awesome. He will have his bone marrow biopsy on Wednesday. Hopefully the results will be great!

Things he misses most!

Everything is going great! Casey's counts are where the doctor would like them. He will have a bone marrow biapsy next week. He is wondering if anyone would like to trade him. This is where they dig into the bone and pull out some marrow to see what is being created (normal cells or leukemia). This is very painful. It is like watching a cow be branded. He acts like one too!

Things he misses most:

1. Being able to do anything about the letters from the home owners association.

2. Being 10 pounds bigger.

3. The temperature (Aaron says its hot as h... outside but it sure feels like h.... in here).

4. Having thin hair.

5. Hearing firecrackers in the middle of the night.

6. Being toilet papered and having signs in your yard.

7. Being honked at.

8. Driving all the way across town for work.

9. Pulling weeds.

10. Cable TV.

You really don't realize how good you have it til it's all gone. Tell us something you really would miss. (non-commenters don't be shy)

Casey's mom and Dad left today. It was a lot of fun having them here. We look forward to seeing them in a couple of weeks. We miss them so much already we made a little movie for you. Casey's counts are down to 1.4 so things are still looking good. He has been a little tired lately because his red blood counts are down. We have been waiting all day for a blood transfusion. His blood is really rare, (they do all this screening because he has all of these antibodies in it. So hopefully they will find some. He looks great and is no longer hooked up to an IV pole. He will only be hooked up to it when he needs blood. Watch out you might see him roaming the halls. Ha Ha! (his turn to wear a mask!)

Third times a charm!

This week Casey's mom and Dad came to visit. It's always nice to have company. Casey is doing well this week. On Friday he started a targeted drug to hopefully kill the last 2000 leukimia cells. They say this drug will go in and attach itself to the leukemia cells and kills it.

The side effects have hit. He woke up one morning and it looked like he had slept with a cat. He is completely bald. The other night the teachers and priests came to see him. He challenged them to be bold and go bald. He got to shave some of their heads. He really enjoyed this! When I got here after Young Women's the room looked like a tornado hit it. There was hair, brownies and frosty cups everywhere! (What a mess!) There has been more people to go bald. Thanks for showing us your head, Eric McKay (we even like the tan spot on the top of your head). We have heard there are many others that have done so also. Please send pictures. We have received many phone calls about Ken Secretan shaving his head. Thankyou so much! We really appreciate everyone's support. Ben Nish is coming close!

FIVE highlights of the week:

1. Watching coyote calling movies (it sounds like squealing balloons)
2. Calls from the kids (bee stings, and stunts on horses)
3. Received more for the car write- off then we would selling it. (Thanks Apryl!)
4. Shaving the young men's heads. (I wonder what there mom's thought?)
5. I just won another 4 weeks of unlimited stay (food included) and the Mountain View Hospital Grand Vacation Club. (drugs included).

Things you didn't know about me!

Casey's counts are at 5, you are probably wondering why. This is because his bone marrow is recovering from the first round of chemo. It is starting to make good blood cells. He also got a shot of epogen (this produces red blood cells). This means he is doing well. Here is a list of things you didn't know about Casey:

1. He doesn't like bugs (will wait for someone else to come and kill it).

2. Started a rafting company with a friend. The business is still going strong. (to bad he bailed out early).

3. He was bucked off a horse and landed on a rock and got knocked out.

4. Learned how to bare foot ski one summer and also learned how to take in lots of water.

5. Taught seminary at 6:00 am for one year.

6. Learned that he shouldn't ride other people's motorbikes as he didn't heed his brothers warning about how fast it really was. (All we saw was sparks flying and Casey heading for the neighbors front window.)

7. One of the first times we met, a group of us went swimming at the headgates at midnight. I was looking into the water when Casey pushed me in. I dove in and came up all bloody realizing the river was only 3 feet deep.

8. Killed the neighbors 4H projects. (Ran over four steers coming home one night).

9. Loves racing Ben when driving (even if it means putting my minivan in the ditch, with wife, kids, sister-in-laws and all of our Christmas presents).

10. Is totally deaf in his right ear, and very selective in his left ear.

Also, he can't wait to see all the people that have shaved their head!!! Thanks!

Thankful Thursday

Before we start our list, I thought I would give you an update. Today Casey is starting a second induction of chemo (more of the same chemo for 5 days). The doctor is very hopeful that this will put his leukemia into remission. The rash he had is blossomed (that's what the doctors called it) and is starting to go away. He is ready for his second round. Another marathon begins. Here are some things we are thankful for:

1. For the ever changing technology of medication.
2. Children that can go on vacation without us.
3. All the visitors and phone calls that come to the Mountain View vacation club.
4. The new classy recliner that arrived to our room this morning (thank you thank you)
5. Repair shops that fix cars
6. Surprise parties
7. That baldness is beautiful
8. Nurses that come immediately when you push the call button
9. Miracles
10. All those that leave comments

What we are most of all thankful for is the knowledge that we have in our Heavenly Fathers plan, that we have the opportunity to be with our family for eternity. That he loves us and watches over us. He has blessed us so much, through the power of prayer, fasting and the priesthood. We are so thankful for everything we have and all the experiences we have been through, we have been strengthed through it all. It seems so hard at times but He always seems to get us through it. Thanks for all those that help!

The Doctor Returns......

Dr Sanchez came back today. He said everything is fine my counts are at 10 (10,000), they should be lower but he said I have defied all of the odds so don't worry yet. Things have been very uneventful except I have developed a rash (on my belly). The doctors don't know what it is from but they don't seem too worried. His line came out tonight and he bled all over the bed. It was SCARY. It was right after the nurses told him not to wet his bed. It was kind of funny.

One of the doctors on the team is from Kenya. She makes her rounds at 10 or 11 at night. She thinks we have a neat tribe. Tonight she asked if Casey was an actor, he is soooo dramatic. One day a nurse was giving him a transfusion of platelets she had forgotten to premedicate him. When the platelets reached his body he shook violently. She freaked out and got mad at him.

Thanks for all of those that fasted for us. It is neat to be a part of something so special. It really boosts us up.

I have had lots of comments from people who said they would have shaved their head if they were on the list. Consider this an open invitation (Delton, Ken Secreton, Sheridan Smith, Eric Mackay, Shane Norman, Brianne Whitaker, Alan Nish, Dan Noorda, Lamar Noorda). I will continue to add to this list as more names come to mind. A special thanks to Ken Kaufman for shaving his head.

It is fun to read everyones comments. It helps brighten our day.

First day without chemo!

Today was the first day without chemotherapy! Now we just wait to see if it kills all of the leukemia. They knock your white blood counts all the way to 0. A normal persons white blood count is anywhere from 4 - 11. Casey came into the hospital with a count of 120. His leukemia was very rapid. Today his white blood count is 21, but they are still seeing blasts (those are what they call leukemia). The doctors are worried that he is resistant to the chemo. Which means we go to plan B. We don't really know what plan B is. We should know by Monday or Tuesday. His main oncologist has been out of town for a week. Casey is starting to get a few fevers, which don't really amount to anything. Thank goodness! Some of you have asked what signs he had to know that this disease was back. It was as simple as just having a rountine blood test and them telling you we think you have a 50/50 chance your leukemia is back, and then by the end of the week the doctors want you admitted to the hospital. His spirits are still high and we enjoy all of the comments we receive. This definetly cheers him up. Thanks for all the prayers they are definetly felt.

Also thanks for the wonderful birthday! He had many calls, cards and visitors. Jill showed up with homemade tie-dyed t-shirts and a disco ball. He received many great gifts (magnifying glass, and a regifted walker). Thanks for an unforgettable birthday!

One more item Casey wants me to talk about. He was taking a nap today, when he had a visitor arrive. The older woman woke him up and said how are you doing kiddo! She walked over to the table and asked where did you get the table son! My wife Lani brought it! She looked at me funny and said you aren't Andre. Then realized she was in the wrong room. What is really funny is we met Andre yesterday walking in the halls. He is completly bald 300 pounds and he was wearing underwear with a cape on! It made for and exciting morning. Lets see what happens tomorrow.

Just when you think times are tough......

It all started yesterday. The doctors decided they wanted to do an MRI on Casey to see what was causing his blurry vision. We arrived at the MRI room and Casey laid on the table and went in. The technicians got in there booth and started their program, suddenly we all hear a help, help with lots of commotion going on they rescued Casey from the machine. His interpretation of it all: (They tied my head down and straped my arms down and put a towel over my eyes so I couldn't see, then they pushed me in and jammed my head in a cage. Then suddenly there was a loud noise as if the whole machine was going to fall apart. So I started kicking my feet and yelling help! help!. I was sure the whole machine was falling in on me. They assured me they could fit a 360 pound person in there. I say there is no way they could squeeze a hotdog between my chest and the roof!) Needless to say we learned Casey was claustorphobic. So they put a mirror above his head so he could see me standing at the end of his bed. We successfully completed the MRI. The results came in today and everything looks good. Hopefully his vision will clear when the chemo and all the other meds stop.

Today Casey decided he wanted fish and chips for lunch. His mom cheerfully jumped at the opportunity to serve Casey. A couple hours later we got a phone call saying bad news lunch is going to be late and you are going to get a new car. What was really funny is she told me over the phone that it was just a little fender bender. Then 2 minutes later she called to see where she should get the car towed to. I went to pick her up and laughed so hard because the whole front tire of the car was shoved into the the car. What damage a little fender bender can cause. We love Apryl and love having her here. It gave us something else to worry about and gave us quite the laugh. I tell you there is never a dull moment around here. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings! Also, it's Casey's birthday tomorrow, he will be the big 35!!! Congrats for him he is quite the trooper and always has a smile on his face.

Just a thought: A wise man once told me if money can fix your problems you really have no problems.