The History - Part 3

May 23, 2012 - Family Email

Greetings,
Barb and I went to the cancer clinic this morning. The big thing today was if we had a sibling match for a bone marrow stem cell transplant. The doctor was concerned about procedure, getting consent from possible donor, but did indicate that we do have a match that we can move forward with!!!! We don't have other details of the match as to a rating or if there are other matches as well, and they would not indicate who is the match. Donor needs to pass a physical, including blood tests and a bone marrow aspiration. The whole process takes time, and with the August 4 wedding for Dave and Bethany, we are looking after that. My blood numbers were okay so that is good. Chemo pills act as brakes, and we will ease off a bit for the next while.
When we get home text Clarence and Irene for coffee. They come and we find out from them that Clarence is the match! They had called him this morning.
We are thankful for the match and pray that the Lord will bless it for my healing.
Psalm 28:7. "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him"
Richard and Barb

May 23, 2012 - Contact List Email

Greetings,
We give thanks that a family match for a stem cell bone marrow transplant has been found. My brother Clarence is the match!! He will have to go for consultations and further testing for final approval as donor. Earliest timing for transplant is late summer.
Regular check up went well, blood counts continue to fall, so chemo drugs are being lowered for now.
Thank you for your prayers, words of encouragement and support, and other ways of showing Christian love. What a good gift to belong to the Body of Christ.
Psalm 28:7 "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him"
Richard and Barb

June 5, 2012 - Family Email

Greetings,
Had transplant consultation today, the next step in the process. Things pretty much as we expected, and the plan is to book transplant for September which we will discuss with them again in July.
Psalm36:9. "For with you is the fountain of life; in your light do we see light"
Love,
Richard and Barb

July 5, 2012 - Family Email

Greetings,
Well the dates are set for the stem cell transplant.  Sept 18 is transplant day now known as Day 0. I will be admitted on Sept 10 to begin heavy chemo in preparation. I will be having tests for base line function of all my organs on Aug 20 and 28. Clarence will be having tests including a bone marrow aspiration on Aug 28. When these tests are "passed" then the final approval for transplant is given. They have no cause for expecting any different.  No plan to go in until Aug 20.
 Thanks for your prayers, calls, visits, and words of comfort and encouragement. Let the words of 1 Peter 5:7 be our strength "...casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.". ESV
We are planning to spend the labour day weekend with our children and grandchildren and to guard that time quite jealously. We are tentatively planning a day with our siblings at the farm on Aug 25 to come and go as suits each. Once I am hospitalized visits will be greatly curtailed because of lack of immune function. We are not sure how that will all go then, but I will have wi fi and cell phone for texting, laptop for emailing and skyping maybe too.
With love,
Richard and Barb

July 5, 2012 - Contact List Email

Greetings,
As most of you know, my brother Clarence has been identified as a match for a stem cell/bone marrow transplant donor. Clarence and I will have some tests in August as final preparations for transplant. Transplant is scheduled for Sept 18. I will be admitted Sept 10 for intensive chemotherapy. I will remain in isolation unit for some time after and semi isolation when I return home for quite a while.
Thank you for your support!
Richard and Barb