Chemo brain

Krissy, chemo brain is nothing to be afraid of.  All you need is to stock up on pens, pencils, note pads, and post it notes.  At first I wondered if I was coming down with the early stages of Alzheimer's.  I would be ready to go someplace and get in the car and forget where I was going to go. Or I wanted to call someone and until I got to the phone I forgot who I wanted to call or why I wanted to call them if I remembered who I was going to call.  After a while you learn how to deal with that by writing yourself notes, several notes and leaving the notes at various locations.  But the absolute worse part of chemo brain for me is not being able to find the right word.  When my first grand nephew was born I wanted to ask my sister if he was circumcised and the only word I could think of was castrated.  Right area.  WRONG WORD!!  I have also found that I have to be rude in conversation and butt in.  If I don't butt in, I forget what I have to say or ask.  People who know me, know the reason for this and understand.  I always explain this to knew people around me. Now that we know that John is going to be around for a LONGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG time, he is going to be so much funnnnnnnnnnnnn to be around.  Enjoy. 

 

ShipAlum@aol.com

An Easter Miracle

Hmmm....  How do I do this without coming right out and telling you?  So I will.  Here goes...

John's cancer is not back.  And he doesn't need a second bone marrow transplant.  Yes, that's right.  He is cancer free!

Let me tell you what happened.  Yesterday at the appointment with his hematologist/oncologist, Dr. Claxton, John was told that the last test he had been given had resulted in a false positive. 

Dr. Claxton came in the room all beaming positive, and excited.  John and I were confused, and then he announced the news.  John almost fell out of his chair.  We were both in shock.  We were happy, ecstatic, but in shock, LOL.  It's like going from death to life. 

Anyway, what happened was this.  When the first test (a bone marrow biopsy) was taken three weeks ago, John was given a drug called Neupogen to stimulate white blood cells to keep his immune system up, right before the test.  This effected the test and produced a false positive.  

Dr. Claxton is positive it is a false positive and that the bone marrow cancer is not back.  There is a reason for this.  There were two other tests done at the same time as the biopsy.  One was something called a Mixed Chimerism test.  In that test it was determined how much of John's cells were his, and how much were cells he got from his donor (during the transplant).  The test showed John is 100% donor! 

The next test was taken to see how much chromosomal damage John had.  When he had the bone marrow cancer before his bone marrow transplant, he had major chromosomal damage, which indicated severe bone marrow cancer.  When he had this final test taken three weeks ago, a sample was sent to the MAYO Clinic.  It was determined by them that John NO LONGER has chromosomal damage!  Thus, no bone marrow cancer!  

So they are sure the cancer is gone!

John does still have the Hemolytic Anemia, which he does require red blood cell transfusions for, but we will take that one day at a time.  What the treatment will be, whether chemo or spleenectomy, we will see.  Right now we are just rejoicing over the fact that the cancer is gone.  He also only has 25 - 30% kidney function, but he can live on that for now.

So God is good.  And you all are too.  Thank you for your prayers.  And thank you for everything.

I told you you would shout, LOL!

Love you all, Krissy :)  

To All Readers!!

Val, Krissy's sister has a request from all of you! Please read below and help make Krissy & John have some sunny days ahead!

Special Subject for Photo Hunt!...

        

Joke

Lisa was out driving her car and while stopped at a red light, the car just died. It was a busy intersection and the traffic behind her was starting to pile up. The guy in the car directly behind her was honking his horn continuously as Lisa continued to try getting the car to start up again.

Finally Lisa gets out of her car and approaches the guy in the car behind her. "I can't seem to get my car started," Lisa said, smiling. "Would you be a sweetheart and go and see if you can get it started for me. I'll stay here in your car and lean on your horn for you."

From Dutch

 

DEAR JOHN & KRISSY,

 

 AS BELIEVERS IN CHRIST SOMETIMES THE HARDEST THING TO HEAR FROM BROTHERS OR SISTERS IN CHRIST IS IF YOU HAD ENOUGH FAITH ,YOU WOULD BE HEALED.YOUR FAITH IS ENOUGH. SOMETIMES THE HARDEST THING IS TO TRUST IN SPITE OF OUTER CIRCUMSTANCES.THE LORDS WAYS ARE NOT ALWAYS SO CLEAR. THIS ONE THING I KNOW JESUS CHRIST AND HIM CRUCIFIED. IN HIM WE ARE SAFE. HE WILL GIVE THE ANGELS CHARGE OVER YOU DEAR BROTHER. IF HE CHOOSES TO TAKE YOU HOME, THE ULTIMATE HEALING, HIS ARMS, WILL CARRY YOU AND HE WILL GIVE YOU ALL THE STRENGTH YOU NEED AT THAT MOMENT.THE LORD HAS FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON HAD ME PRESENT IN OR THRU MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS FINAL RACE INTO THE HOME STRETCH. I DO NOT KNOW WHY BUT AS I HAVE SEEN DEBS LOVE AND TEARS FOR YOU BOTH, I FEEL IF YOU WOULD ALOW ME THE PRIVILAGE TO JUST SAY THESE FEW WORDS. JOHN YOU ARE VERY PLEASING TO THE LORD. YOUR FAITH AND COURAGE WILL GO ON YOUR  SEEDS OF FAITH WILL REPRODUCE .YOU WILL HAVE MANY CROWNS TO LAY AT YOUR SAVIORS FEET.YOU CAN TRUST KRISSY TO THE LORDS CARE AS YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT. YOU AND I KNOW IF HE CHOSE TO HE COULD HEAL YOU IN A SECOND, BUT AS YOU HAVE PRAYED THY WILL BE DONE ONLY THE LORD KNOWS HIS PLAN FOR YOU BOTH. I PRAY THE LORDS PEACE  WILL SO COME OVER YOU THAT ALTHOUGH THE OUTER MANS PERISHES, THE INNER MAN GROWS DAY BY DAY. THIS LIFE IS ONLY A MOMENT IN TIME BUT ETERNITY IS FOREVER. HOW VERY MUCH THE LORD HAS ENTRUSTED TO YOU, JOHN .HE WILL SAY, WELL DONE THY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT .ENTER IN TO ALL I HAVE PREPARED FOR YOU.YOU WILL RULE AND REIGN WITH THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. HE WILL WIPE ALL THE TEARS FROM YOUR EYES. I WILL PRAY FOR MORE REVELATION OF HIMSELF FOR YOU JOHN.

 

IN CHRIST,  DEBS DUTCH

(I ALWAYS TYPE IN ALL CAPS--PLEASE DON'T TAKE AS SHOUTING)

 

SassyDee50@aol.com

From Deb

 

Dear John and Krissy~

 

I don't have any jokes and no pity for sure. I am in my depressed cycle and not writing to anyone, but when I saw Tammy's message I had to say something. I'm at a loss for what to say really as you might expect. I admire your love for life, faith and acceptance of whatever the next minute, hour or day brings. You're in my thoughts and prayers; I love you both. John~you are the most brave and amazing man I have ever "met". You are loved so much by so many--you already know that. Peace for you both is what I pray for most.

 

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((John & Krissy))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))  Blessings, Deb (aka Sassy)

 

SassyDee50@aol.com

From Deb

 

Hi Krissy,

 

I don't know if you have time to read about my life, but I know you used to get mad when I didn't share what was going on just to spare you. So if you really want to know--here's your invitation: xox Deb

 

http://journasl@aol.com/sassydee50/sassys-private-words

 

SassyDee50@aol.com