Hello all! Just checking in to wish everyone the best.
Things going reasonably well. Finished the third round of Dacogen last Saturday. Have needed a few infusions of blood and have a very low white count at the moment (.9). Mouth still a little sore, but getting better.
They've found three unrelated donors and may set a December date on the transplant. They will probably give me something really aggressive to knock back the remaining blasts and than do the transplant.
I've been in California since July and it is unlikely that I will see New Zealand again for a fair while. Our daughter is looking after the house and when they let me out of the hospital, we will rent somewhere, probably Seal Beach California.
Although graduating from MDS to AML is alarming, I'm keen to get on with it.
When I left New Zealand, where they don't have Dacogen available and won't do transplants on folks over 50, I came here looking for a year of regression so I could take my wife to Europe and tick off my bucket list. Now I am checked into one of the world's best cancer centers and fighting this thing. It brings me to tears occasionally,especially after we lost Chris, but this world is an amazing place and I hope to stay here for a while.

Jon -- great to hear from you and thanks so much for keeping us up on your situation. Things seem to be falling in place quite well. The prep for the transplant will be tough, but not tougher than you. You seem to have a great attitude and I am anxious to welcome you to the class of survivors, many of whom are still on this list. The time will go fast -- it always does this time of year. I can recall staying in the clinic late before Thanksging and how Jennifer the nurse on duty stayed extra late to get my transfusions comepleted brefore the holiday. May God bless her from having such a wonderful and gracious heart! A similar thing happened before Christmas as well. It seemed tough at the time, but I am glad that I wrote it all down so that I will never forget the great people who got me through. I know you feel the same gratitude toward those who are getting you through. Thank God for giving the doctors the ability to save us when not a few years ago there would have been no hope. Please keep us up on your progress. -- dave http://BibleThought.org/

Hi Jon: Good to hear of the donors. They say with a good match they are getting good at this stem cell transplant. and recovery is better with most recent meds. I am heading in for consolidation on Nov. 29th. The last session and recovery was much better than the last. In between I concentrate on eating and walking to keep my strength. Using a rollator walker gives you independence/balance and a seat to sit on when you get tired.
Keep the positive thoughts and images of New Zealand.
Happy Thanksgiving.
Darla

Jon, Great to hear! Had a BMT meeting today with my mother doctor. Her only surviving brother is a match! I believe her transplant will be around Jan.3 . We are very hopeful. As for now lots of living to do. I have join the BMT group. I hope we can keep in touch and compare notes.

Lucia

Oops! A setback. My recent bone marrow analysis didn't come out too well and they've postponed the transplant and have me on a seven day infusion plan of Idarubicin and Cytarabine.
I was supposed to check in Monday, but a high fever on Sunday night got me in a night earlier. Today is my fourth day.
Best wishes to all
Jon

Ah -- not good -- but hang in. I was just praying for you. They have to get you into remission before doing the transplant. But let the Lord worry about that -- this next round should do it. Hopefully they have identified the source of the infection so that they can get you the right antibiotic. Please keep us up on how things are going. Trust in the Lord and take it one day at a time. You will make it. Take care -- dave

Hi Jon: Hope they have you headed for remission by now. I just got home again from a consolidation. Will be down for a few weeks. Time flies by and days are good or bad but keep on coming.
Sending you a hug.
Keep looking for something each day that brings you Joy or you find Beauty in.....I watch wild birds at my feeder, children, a sculptur in front of the hospital, my husband's touch.
Take care.
Darla

Hello Everyone After reading alot of these posts I feel sad but also fortuneate at the same time. I was diagnosed with AML in Aug. 2010. I am 41 and young for this type of Leukemia. I have Inversion 16 Cytogenetics (most favorable) and do not have to go the bone marrow route. I just completed my 3rd consoldation Chemo (Cytarabine) and am in remission. My doctor says he's only seen 3 other people with my type of Cytogenetics in 20 years and all of those people are still alive. I know what it feels like to get blind sided by this cancer. I want to stress it is important to have a good support system and a positive outlook. My prayers go out to all of the people affected by this disease.
BTW - Im in Orlando, FL and have great Doctors, which helps. Also if you do consoldation chemo there is no clear data that 4 consoldation treatments are better there 3, however, there is a 5% increase in survival rate from doing 3 versus just 2 (FYI).

Den

Hi Jon and family: I hope this finds you feeling well. I realize there are good days and bad days, but it is amazing how soon we forget the bad ones. I think back once in a while how I had to learn to walk all over because of weakness, go up stairs, etc.
Now I am on day 25 from 1st. round of consolidation and counts are slowly coming back. Since I am still neutripinic I could not go into stores or to parties, but I am enjoying the calm., watching movies, sitting near the fire.
Merry Christmas and Happy Healthy New Year!
Darla

Best wishes to all.
I've spent the last few weeks at a village here at City of Hope regaining some strength and movement following my 30 day chemo stay..
I'm back in the hospital as of yesterday and I have five ivs dripping including a 24 hour anti rejection and some antibiotics and some chemo.
On Thursday they are scheduled to do the transplant. We'll see what happens. Some people breeze through. Others have difficulties. The stay is likely to be six weeks including two weeks of not being able to leave my room.
Best wishes
Jon

Jon -- thanks for the update -- PLEASE keep us up on your progress -- we are all quite interested not only from a clinical point of vew, but we are praying for you and we have great hope that you will get through this in fine fashion and join the ranks of the survivors. Stay positive -- you have the best medical team possible -- I know they are doing their best for you. -- dave

Jon: Good to hear from you. Sounds like the start of the year is not being kind to you. By this time you have gone thru the transplant. Like you said some people breeze thru and we will all be praying that you do too.
Positive baby steps.
Darla