APRIL 16

Gary did ok with the two rounds of chemo today. He was able to leave and go back to our apartment and stay until after dinner. That helps his morale more than anything. Even though he may sleep most the afternoon, he would rather be home. He should do ok the rest of the week. The adverse affects of the chemo will not hit him until in a week. Thank you for your prayers!

APRIL 15

DAY -6

I had so much to talk about yesterday after seeing the doctors to discuss what Gary will go through with the chemo this week, but THIS is why I was not able to get online ...My usually WHITE dog had swept up ALL the dirt on the sidewalk during our walk. Although it gave us all a laugh, I had to spend the evening brushing and bathing him. I have made the announcement, that he is not allowed to go on walks this week while I am busy running Gary back and forth to the hospital. *smile*

Today was Gary's first day with chemo. During the BMT process, they call this, Day -6. For those that may be interested, here is the schedule of what he will be given ...

Day -6 ... BCNU (Carmustine) given over 2 hours. Gary was able to leave the hospital for the day and does not have to be back until 9pm. This made him very happy as he really has started to hate being in the hospital. He has to wear a mask when outside his hospital room or our apartment and avoid crowds. Day -5 thru Day -2 ... P-16/Etopside, and ARA-C. The VP-16 is given IV over 2 hours twice a day. ATA-C is given IV over 1 hours twice a day. IV hydration begins on Day -5.

Day -1 ... Malphalan. Given IV over 1 hour. Hydration ends.

Day 0 ... Day of transplant. Gary will receive his stem cells through the IV along with hydration. Should be dismissed from hospital to "Outpatient Management" later that afternoon.

The risk are many. One main risk is to the vital organs. Because Gary has had trouble with his kidneys shutting down in the past ... he is particularly at risk. His doctor has given specific instructions to everyone involved to be on alert for this. I am so comforted from the fact of so many lifting Gary up in prayer. I will never be able to express my appreciation enough! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

SKIATOOK, OK and SPRINGFIELD, MO

Gary's niece, Leah Phillips and sister, Tina Phillips

Gary's great-nieces, Kate (with mom Lisa) and RachaelGary's nephew, Zach Harris

(notice the letters on the ducks) *smile*

REMEMBER TO GET YOUR PICTURES IN AS WELL!

HAPPY EASTER!

APRIL 12

Gary wanted to attend church today, but did not feel well enough. He is experiencing flu-like symptoms, which is caused by the growth shots. Tomorrow morning, he will go to clinic to have his kidneys checked so they will know the amount of chemo to give him. He commented at how nice it was to spend the day at home today. It was a needed rest. This video really was a blessing to Gary and I today, so wanted to share it with you. Appreciate your prayers!

APRIL 11

Today was Gary's final day at collection. He produced 1.95 this time so his total is well over 5 million ... 6.27 to be exact. Monday, the BMT nurse coodinator will call to let us know when they will start the chemo. Gary really wants to be able to go to church in the morning, but is feeling pretty rotten this afternoon. Please pray that he will have a restful night and be able to go. Enjoy your Easter celebrations and thank you for praying for us!

HOPE

A Hope Transfusion

by Charles R. Swindoll

Revelation 1:17, 18

Easter and hope are synonymous. That special day never arrives without its refreshing reminder that there is life beyond this one. True life. Eternal life. Glorious life. Those who live on what we might call "the outskirts of hope" need a transfusion. Easter gives it.

I think of all those who are battling the dread disease of cancer. Talk about people living on "the outskirts." They fight the gallant battle, endure the horrible reactions of chemotherapy, and anxiously await the results of the next checkup.

And then there are those who still grieve over the loss of a mate, a child, a parent, or a friend. Death has come like a ruthless thief, snatching away a treasured presence, leaving only memories. What is missing?

Hope. Hope has died. There is nothing like Easter to bring hope back to life. Easter has its own anthems. Easter has its own Scriptures. And Easter has its own proclamation: "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28:6).

When Christians gather in houses of worship and lift their voices in praise to the risen Redeemer, the demonic hosts of hell and their damnable prince of darkness are temporarily paralyzed.

When pastors stand and declare the unshakable, undeniable facts of Jesus' bodily resurrection and the assurance of ours as well, the empty message of skeptics and cynics is momentarily silenced.

Our illnesses don't seem nearly so final.

Our fears fade and lose their grip.

Our grief over those who have gone on is diminished.

Our desire to press on in spite of the obstacles is rejuvenated.

Our identity as Christians is strengthened as we stand in the lengthening shadows of saints down through the centuries, who have always answered back in antiphonal voice: "He is risen, indeed!"

A hope transfusion awaits us. It happens every year on Easter Sunday. Alleluia! Jesus lives, and so shall we!

Excerpted from Day by Day with Charles R. Swindoll, Copyright © 2000 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission.

CAINTA, PHILIPPINES

Stephanie, Nimfa and Malou - Cainta, Philippines

APRIL 10

Another day of collecting produced 1.92 stem cells! Now they have over 4 million to work with. The doctor still wants Gary to come in tomorrow for collection to get closer to 5 million, but he will not have to have the growth shots. That will make him happy. This means that we have Sunday off, which we were hoping would be the case. It will be good to be able to celebrate the Resurrection in church instead of in a hospital room! Thank you for your prayers!

APRIL 9

Gary had another good day, although it didn't start out well. Before he could sit down to have his breakfast and coffee ... he was headed for the bathroom ... very sick. We left for the hospital hoping that would be the last of it, and it was. Probably a side effect of the Plerixafor.

From then on, he relaxed and watched The Masters on TV while getting his cells harvested. The 5 hours seemed to pass quickly for me ... maybe not so much for Gary. *smile* I will say that the nurses who handled him these three days have just been awesome! Couldn't ask for any better.

Tonight, the BMT nurse called to say that Gary put out 1.29 cells! That puts him to 2.38, which is enough to go to transplant, if Gary has a hard time giving more. They will still have him continue with the Plerixafor tonight and go back for harvesting tomorrow and possibly Sunday. Even though over 2 million cells are enough to go to transplant, they have found that if you have close to 5 million, your chances of the cells grafting back into your bone marrow is significantly better. So, let's pray that he does over 2 million tomorrow!