I am retired. I like to write. I like to read. I live in Hood River, OR. I am married (47 years!) and have two grown sons, Noah and Isaac.
I thought I would update the page while John is enjoying his full-body MRI. These first two weeks of diagnostic testing have examined every organ and orifice and testify to SCCA’s attention to detail. So far John is passing all of his tests and is on track for the transplant procedure. We spent 6 hours … More Tests & Classes
First of all, thank you to everyone who has visited my site. Whether or not you choose to leave a message is not as important as just knowing you are wondering how Marilyn and I are getting by. As to the messages, special thanks to my friends from CC, especially Amanda for the Haiku, I … More Seattle, Visitors, Virtual & Otherwise
We are certainly happy with our decision to come to Seattle for the stem cell transplant. We spend most of our time at either the SCCA (Seattle Cancer Care Alliance) clinic or our apartment at the Pete Gross House. I can’t say enough about how both of these facilities are tuned in to the physical … More Marilyn’s Take
Marilyn and I moved into the PGH on Monday. Our new address is 525 Minor Avenue North, Apt 611, Seattle, WA 98109. Note: the PGH is an immune suppressed environment. No plants allowed in the building, not even cut flowers, and, of course, no smoking. Our apartment is 1BR and comfortable. We are spreading out … More The PGH & The SCCA
I’m going to jump in here and say a big “thank you” to some of the people who have helped to make this journey possible. Our families, of course, where it all starts. Especially Ike and Noah, who have risen to some pretty incredible challenges these last few years – more than I ever knew … More Thank You
I’ve been on a drug regimen of thalidomide and steroids since January. (Yes, THAT thalidomide) I also take a blood thinner to counteract the tendency of these drugs to cause blood clots. For those who know me, this is a unique experience. I’ve always enjoyed good health. I’ve never, until this year, required medication other … More SCCA & The Pete Gross House
The science behind a stem cell transplant is elegant in its simplicity. Blood stem cells, which reside in the marrow, are mobilized by medication to move into the bloodstream. Once they are present there in sufficient numbers, the patient is hooked up to an apheresis machine that separates and collects the stem cells. These cells … More Stem Cell Transplant 101
I have a type of blood cancer called multiple myeloma, which presents itself in the bone marrow. Healthy marrow produces the three major types of blood cells our bodies need. White blood cells fight infection. Red blood cells carry oxygen. Platelets make the blood clot and stop bleeding. Myeloma is a malignancy of one type … More Multiple Myeloma 101
Good Blood, Bad Blood 