Finalizing the Decision

Hello Everybody,

My dad has decided to go to the Mayo Clinic for his transplant! It was a very hard decision but as a family we have agreed that he will receive the best care possible down in Rochester. The doctors have been talking about their treatment plans for him, and they think that it might be necessary to have him go back to Methodist for a five day regiment of Chemo before going to the Mayo. On Monday he will go in for another bone marrow test and the results will be what decides this. To decide who will be the donor, DNA testing kits have been sent to Steve, John and Dean. The doctors will pick who is in the best health to be a donor and then the transplant will take place (in about four weeks). As for what will happen in the three months my dad is undergoing treatment, my mom will live down in Rochester in a house that the hospital has designed especially for circumstances such as this. If the treatment is going well it will be possible for my dad to leave the hospital and stay in the house. Sarah and I will be staying with my grandpa and will be able to visit my dad on weekends and Skype during the week. Thank you for all of your words of encouragement and love!
~Laura Katchmark
(I readjusted the setting for posting comments and if your interested let me know if it is any easier to post on this page! Thank you!)

Tough Decision

Good Afternoon Everyone,

Its amazing how the time has flown by. After two consultations, one at the Mayo clinic and one at the U of M our family is left with the toughest decision of our lives. Where do we go. From a statistical stand point the Mayo is more appealing. They are ranked fourth in the country for cancer treatment. They have a very nice facility and their staff is very friendly and cautious when it comes to hygiene (hand washing and masks). Being that it is so far away, my mom would have a very hard time working and would have to live down in Rochester with my dad. As for visitors my dad truthfully believes that your love and constant caring got him through the first round. I know its very far away but if you ever get the chance please stop by (if we do end up at the Mayo). It made such a huge difference in his well being. The last few days have been very sad. We all know what is coming and none of us are ever going to be prepared for it. The only thing we can do is continue to remember how special family is and take it day by day. Once our decision has been made I will update the blog. Until then, make sure you let someone in your family know just how much you love them because at the end of the day they are the things that matter.
~Laura Katchmark

Good Evening Everyone,

These past few days have been very restful for my dad. On Monday my family and I went up to Duluth for a day trip. My dad drove the entire way there and back. We got some of our favorite smoked salmon and went shopping in canal park. I haven't seen my dad that happy in a long time! Next week on Tuesday my mom and dad will be going down to the Mayo for a consultation and the U of M will come later in the week. Because organization has been an issue between Methodist and the possibilities for the transplant, we aren't sure when he will have to go. Another thing that has come to my attention is that I haven't specified what kind of a transplant my dad will be getting. With leukemia being a cancer of the blood there are usually two options for a transplant. There is a bone marrow transplant, and a stem cell transplant. My dad will be getting a stem cell transplant. This procedure is just like getting a transfusion but it will talk so long because he has to receive chemo and radiation, wiping out his entire immune system. I hope this helped clear things up:) Thank you for your love and support!
~Laura Katchmark

Success!!!

Good Evening!

The bone marrow test results are in and the news is wonderful!!! My dad has passed with flying colors:) He is feeling great and is getting ready for the transplant that will most likely begin in a week. My Mom and Dad still have to decide between the Mayo clinic or the University of Minnesota for the transplant but once that is settled then my dad will move in right away. Thank you for all of your prayers and support! It has kept us going everyday!
~Laura Katchmark

Bone Marrow Test

Good Evening Everyone

I do apologize for not writing more often but there hasn't been anything to update on! Everything is going really well here at home. Its so nice to have my dad back in the house! He has gained about ten pounds since he left the hospital and today he had a bone marrow test. He isn't in pain as of now but he said once his medication wears off he will be a bit sore for a few days. We should get the results of the test back on Friday. I will post then and let you all know what the outcome is. If there is little to no cancer in his body he will go to do his transplant, and that is what we are hoping for! As always thank you for your continuous love and support!  ~Laura Katchmark

Family

Good Evening Everyone,
Things have been busy ever since my dad got home. He is healing both mentally and physically! Some who know my dad could agree that he has a laugh that is infectious! It has been filling the house everyday and we are all relived to know that his spirits have lightened. His counts have also sky rocketed! He is no longer neutropenic! This means that very soon he will be getting an all clear bone marrow test to make sure his cancer is still in remission. If he is still in remission then he will most likely go to the Mayo Clinic for his transplant. The lesson that i'm learning through this experience is that we just have to take things one step at a time however, and right now things are going well. Please keep my dad in your thoughts and prayers! Thank you for your support and love.
~Laura Katchmark

This doesn't just apply to family but to friends and those who have supported us from the start. 

Going Good

Good Evening Everyone,
These last two days have been such a relief. My dad is doing very well here at home. He feels very peaceful and has been eating everything in sight. His goal is to gain weight before the next round. Being a family again made me realize just how wonderful my dad is. He is such a big part of my life and I couldn't have asked for anyone better. Thank you all so much for your support and love. I truthfully believe that things wouldn't have gone as well without that. As for a few more bits of info about my dad, he has a doctor appointment every other day to get his blood drawn and test where his counts are at. His white blood count is now up to 2.3. More importantly however is his ANC or Absolute Neutrophil Count. This count is supposed to be between 2 to 6.8 for a healthy person but my dad's count is at 1.3. The good news is that it jumped from 0.9 to 1.3 in one day! That is all the information we have right now!
~Laura Katchmark