Thanking God for 5 years!

We would like to use this blog, rather than the emails,  as an opportunity to keep you up to date on what is happening with our mom's cancer story, so that you can pray for us and be encouraged that God is our rock.

About a year and a half ago, the first unusual blood count was noticed.  The doctor was only mildly concerned, but decided to send mom to a hematologist to keep an eye on it.  Things hovered for a time, during which we were able to carry on and enjoy many things, including Vanessa and Tyler's wedding,  but then the blood counts started to drop and a diagnosis of MDS, cancer of the bone marrow, or bone marrow failure,  was given in October 2017. Shortly after this we were delighted to enjoy another wedding in the family, of Melanie and Billy.

While gradually getting more tired and having to reduce extra activities outside of the home, mom has generally felt ok. Recently the counts have dropped to a point where mom has had to stay home, away from all public places, due to risk of infection, her immune system is so low.  There is also a risk of bleeding due to very low platelet counts. 

This is not the first time this disease has struck our family.  Mom's younger brother Dan also had this more than 20 years ago when he was 18. The only cure for MDS is a bone marrow transplant. We thank God that Dan was able to have a successful transplant from the oldest brother, David, and has done quite well since then although that was a very trying time for our family. The doctors are researching the possibility of a familial connection, but it will take quite some time to know that yet.

Mom is now set to have her transplant.  There was not a perfect match for her in the family, but a donor was found from the general registry. An "imperfect match" but it's the best that we have got.  We know nothing about this person, where they are from..... other than that they are female, and are willing to help save someone's life, we are so grateful to God for this.

Below is a copy of the latest email  sent to family and friends that explains the treatment in more detail.

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Hello all,

We had a family meeting with the transplant team at the Juravinski today.  The kids were all there with us. They have secured the donor (so grateful for this person)and have set the transplant date for  March 20th (which they call "day zero").  I will be admitted to the hospital one week prior, on March 13th to start  treatments, the fullest intensity of chemo is necessary to  prevent relapse of the MDS as well as the fact that my donor is not a perfect match.  The counts that we have been watching so closely these past few months will now deliberately be brought to zero, so that the donor's marrow can take over once injected into me on the 20th.  Initially in the weeks following the greatest concern will be infection, following that we will watch for  blood counts to slowly creep back up to indicate that a graft has taken place (possibly by  "day 21"). It is expected that I will have a hospital stay of 4-6 weeks min, during which time my health will be very delicate, even after discharge I will still need to be very careful with immunity.  I will need to go back to the hospital weekly until about "day 100".  The possibility of complications/infections/relapse  or Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD)are very real for the first 2 years. The degrees of quality of life vary quite a bit post transplant.  The doctor has had a range from  patients hitting the ski slopes after 3 months to those who could not resume normal activities after a year.  The other possibility is that I don't make it through this at all.  We had to ask the hard questions today and got the hard answers. Each case is different, but we asked the doctor the percentages of a favorable outcome and he said 50% .  We were not really surprised by this, but somehow you still hope to hear better. The next question we asked was then what if we opt not to treat at all and he said it was likely that I would not live another full year. 

Overall the transplant team is thorough and professional and caring, we are confident about their plan and know they have the experience.  But our confidence is truly in God who has this whole situation in His hands. We are so thankful that we can leave the outcome of all of this to Him. He truly takes away fears and gives the peace that surpasses all understanding.  This does not come easily,  sometimes it is a daily, hourly struggle. We are up against some tough numbers, but are upheld by a God who has numbered the hairs on our heads and the days He has counted for each of us.   We ask for your continued prayers, for the whole family, that we will be able to bring God glory and show His love to others even through this.

We have a busy few weeks of extra appointments leading up to the transplant, general checks on heart, lungs, sort of  pre-op type procedures. The long wait for answers and treatment suddenly feels like time slipping through our fingers.  Jeff has been able to clear his schedule to come with me as much as possible, but we may need an extra hand here and there with rides or babysitting.  We are getting plenty of meals, thank you.

With humble thanks for all of your love and support and prayers,

Sandy & Jeff & family