IS IT TIME TO UPDATE THIS BLOG?

Well it has been a day or two since I have updated my blog. See what happens when I get my freedom restored. This will hopefully get everone up to speed as to what has happended since the last report. We went over to UCLA and visited with my Dr. we talked about some different treatment methods that are available. One was to take some whites cells from my first donor and transplant them. This sounded ok until the side effects were made known to me like lots of graft vs. host diesease, rashes, infections and lots of throwing up (YUCK). The other idea that they had was to get me on to a clinical trial drug that is actually a vaccine. They will not put me on that drug as I am too much of a risk for the company right now, a death on the record would kill it as far as FDA approval is concerned and that would mean the loss of a lot money on their part, even though it might mean a cure for my part. Follow the money. I then suggested trying another transplant. The doc though that I had lost my mind as he had no experience with doing a double transplant. I talked to him a couple of weeks later and he informed my that the second transplant would be the best option for me, unfortunatly UCLA does not do this type of procedure and he is going to send me to the Seattle Cancer Care Associates for the transplant. Apparently they were the ones who pioneered transplants back in the 60's. They are the number one place to go in the WORLD for transplants, guess I should have started there in the first place. I talked to them this morning and it looks as though most of the treatment is going to be on an outpatient basis which I love. They don't really like to admit people into the hospital as it creates a hazard to recieve infection. Those who remember the first transplant will remember that it was the hospital infections that put me into the 3 week coma. I will be going to Seattle on the 28th of November to start the process of the second transplant. I feel very lucky to have two perfect matches and appreciate all that they have had to go through just to keep one of the brothers alive!!!

The Seattle portion will take about 4 months to complete, they have to do about a 100 days of follow up before I can return to Las Vegas... does anyone know of a place that I could stay at other than under the bridge of Interstate 5? It would really help even if it was broken up into a 5 or 6 different places (I don't want to wear out my welcome).

I am currently in the Mountain View Hospital until Saturday. I had to do another round of Chemo to, as my brother-in-law Brian Griffeth put it "make for damn sure" the leukemia stays in remission. Yesterday, I had another bone marrow biopsy and as Brian's wisdom once again pulled through with the advice he gave me "When the Dr. says you will feel a little bit of pressure, that really means this will hurt like hell". I still have not heard the results from this test yet but shoud soon.

Well I think this will bring you up to date as to what is happening in my life. Please continue to commment onthe blog, it has been nice to hear from all of you. Thank you for your prayers and concern.

Take care

Casey

Home Sweet Home

Casey finally made it out. He is home and loving it. It is so nice to have him home. He actually has quite a bit of energy. He goes to the doctor on Wednesday, and we are also waiting for UCLA to call us to hopefully find some kind of clinical drug or some other alternative for him. They are trying to find something for him because they don't think that he will stay in remission for very long. Hopefully they find something soon.
We have had lots going on since we have been home my parents came for the weekend. That was great. We are extremely busy because Casey's license is expired and we have only one car. I feel very old fashioned. Things are going great and I promise to get some pictures on here I just had to give you all an update. Conference weekend was good and it is always great to be fed spiritually! Love those weekends.