January 23, 2014

I am at home in Pennsylvania in the cold weather, while my sister Debbie is with Casey is in Houston. Stevie spent some time with Casey after Lauren left. Debbie is taking good care of him. They are going to do what they call a boost or mini transplant. They saved some of Stevie's cells, which they are infusing with the targeted chemo and will turn Stevie's cells into killer cells. Theoretically, they will attack any leukemia blasts when they start to form. Stevie's cells are busy at work kicking butt, but knowing Stevie, I wouldn't expect anything less. Yesterday Casey had pulmonary tests, ekg, and chest xrays to make sure he is deserving of Stevie's cells. Casey does have a rash, so today they did a skin biopsy to make sure it is not graft vs. host disease. They are looking at the first week of February to do the boost. Casey continues to hook up his IV daily and give himself shots for the blood clots between hospital visits.
Stevie and Casey went to Austin and watched the Grand Prix swim meet. They saw some people they know. Some of the swimmers from Stevie's swim team were there. Kyle will be going out next. I am sure Casey will enjoy having him there to watch the Super Bowl. Casey's college friend, Griff with be going out in February too. We are getting closer to day 100 and bringing Casey home.

January 12, 2014

Today ends my stay in Houston. Casey's friend Lauren is here to take over. Our past week has continued to bring promising improvements to Casey's health. His counts are rebounding and he is feeling good. We took a metro ride through the city on Saturday. Wednesday we went across the street to the Reliant Center to the boat show. Friday, we took a drive to College Station to watch Emily and her Georgia bulldogs take on Texas A&M. The facility was real nice and the meet was exciting (the final score was 150 UGA and 150 A&M, tie), and it was great to see Emily. Yesterday we went to watch Connor (Charlie & Melissa's son) swim in an age group meet. Unfortunately, we left after the first event. Casey should not be around kids and in closed areas. You would think we would know better, but a least we got to see Connor swim one event.
We filled in time with trips to the hospital, where the doctors are impressed with Casey's recovery. They do not know how stong willed Stevie and her cells are. I saw Betty Lou asked if this means there will be two Stevies, all I can say to that is could there ever be two Jenns?
The weather is sunny and 70 and so is the outlook!
Thank you for your continued support.

January 2, 2014

Happy New Year everyone! 2014 is starting out to be a fabulous year. The results from Casey's bone marrow aspiration and biopsy showed he is fully engrafted, 100% Stevie, with no leukemia or any disease. His blood counts are climbing without the help of neupogen and he is feeling good. He gets daily IV infusions of magnesium and anti fungal medicines and daily shots for his blood clot, which we can do at home. We go into the hospital on Mondays and Thursdays for check ups. Yesterday we had our traditional pork and saurkraut and then we walked the whole way around Reliant Stadium (Bill O'Brien's new home)which is right across the street from the apartment.
Gary will be going home tomorrow to snow, cold weather and crazy puppies. I get to enjoy another week of 60 degree weather.