We went back to Iowa City today and Dr. Silverman felt pretty good about everything I think, the GVH that had really flared up last week seems to be getting better and the throat infection looks better. They are going to cut back a little on my Steroids again this week trying to get rid of them but you have to go through the tapering progress again. All in all after last week I am much better. The big adrenaline rush I got from the IV steroids last week only lasted a few days and then I was kind of tired again but as the week went on that seemed to level out a little. I will be 6 months out from my transplant in a couple of weeks seems some days like it wasn't that long ago but on other days seems like it was really a long time ago. All in all I have done really well and am looking forward to that 6 month mile stone, the DRs. seem to see that as a really big step. Thanks again to everyone for your support I feel like the worst is probably over. The Drs. caution me to just be careful that I still need for this new immune system to keep growing, but really I feel very positive that this will be winding down soon.
Thanks Lance

PS We would appreciate prayer for protection for Lance's body (especially his liver) from all the meds he is having to take again. That he'll be able to get off the meds soon without the GVH flaring up again! He will have blood work this week in Dubuque to keep a close eye on things and then another bone marrow biopsy June 1st. Praise that the GVH is responding to meds and for the wisdom of the doctors who treat him! Thank you!--Penny

What a change!

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all your prayers for dad! He is starting to feel a little better and his cold is even clearing up! The steroids that they gave him defiantly helped! Especially with his energy level. Mom and I have had to be on the look out the past couple days because well, when dad has a lot of steroids we just don't know what he's gonna do next :) What a changed from just a couple days ago when he could barely get out of bed! Mom has been telling dad all day that he has more energy than she does and that maybe she needs a few steroids to get her going to! :) Thanks again for all your prayers! Have a good day everyone! ~ Elisabeth

Unexpected Trip

Unexpected trip to Iowa City today, spent the day having test... getting an IV, then several prescriptions.... not what we were hoping for....Lance had a pretty bad week, up all night coughing (so has had to sleep sitting up in the recliner) and itching from rashes... GVH is much worse sooooo, back on steroids and full dose of anti- rejection drug plus the extra meds to help him get over all the problems the GVH has caused. On the bright side the big dose of IV steroids should give a boost in his energy level!! We would appreciate prayer that all this gets resolved soon, not only so he feels better but so that Doctors can get back to the plan.... but we take comfort in realizing our God is the one really in control and we trust he has the best plan of all for us... Thank you for praying..OH!, Also please pray specifically that Lance can sleep in our bed instead of the recliner.. I MISS HIM!! --Penny

Going as planned... I guess!!

Sorry for the late update from Fridays appointment but sometimes it takes me a day or two to digest all they say... Basically things are going just as they planned... Lance has more GVH so isn't feeling as well and is uncomfortable.. but he says all for a good cause! They decided not to take away the rest of the anti-rejection meds just yet as his liver counts were up and he has quite a bit more GVH. They did need to add blood pressure meds. as one of the side effects of the rejection med. is raised blood pressure and since he can't go off yet they need to add it for now. Lance has his first cold since transplant so we would sure appreciate prayers for protection from to much GVH and that he will get over the cold without any complications. Wisdom for us to know when to call the doctors if needed and wisdom for the doctors in controlling the amount of GVH. All of this seemed kind of like a set back to us at first..... going off steroids makes him more tired again and the GVH just doesn't make him feel to hot... but hopefully it all will be temporary and will do the job on the cancer cells. His platelets were in the normal range for the first time in like 9 months so that is exciting! Thank you all for all your prayers in what seems like a loooong journey..... seems like the closer you get to the end of something the longer it seems to take.... but we know in a the long run the end is worth it. I 'm really proud of Lance, he keeps pushing himself and looking up.... He wants so much to get back to work....for a guy who just loves his job and the people there and wants to feel like he is contributing it is not easy to wait.... praying he will get the ok to go back even part time soon, then he can have someone else to pick on!! Lance said again this week, "Life is good!" Thank you all for your prayers! --Penny