The Fight Continues

Good Evening Everyone,

This week has been a good one for my dad. His first round of chemo ended on Sunday the 13th and ever since then he has tried to stay as active as possible. On Monday, I participated in an Outdoor Adventures (class at school) field trip and he came with me! We were shooting trap and afterwards my dad and I stayed behind to shoot a few rounds in the handgun range:) Things almost felt normal! Hopefully this good feeling will last for a while but as we know from previous experience there could be a few side effects emerging in the next few weeks. For now however, we are thankful that his appetite is still very large and he is tackling little projects around the house! As for his counts, they are remaining fairly steady, but are very low which is to be expected. Thank you so much for your support and love as the winter months draw near! I will post again next weekend! Stay warm:)

Laura Katchmark

Merry Go Round

Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen,

I would like to take the time to update you all on my dads health status. As you all know, over the summer he was declared  "cancer free" and things were going quite smoothly. During the month of August however, he developed a severe line infection. The doctors at Mayo couldn't quite figure out what kind of bacteria was in his body but eventually they determined that it originates from corn plants and pineapples. We still have no idea how he managed to contract such an infection but nonetheless he did and as a result his blood counts began dropping dramatically. At first there wasn't much concern over the falling numbers but just this month he went in for a bone marrow test and the results were concrete. The cancer is back. His bone marrow test showed about 10% blast cells (cancerous cells) present in his body. He began chemo on Wednesday of this week and goes everyday until Sunday. He will do this same schedule three weeks from now and then again in December. As a family we have been doing well with the news of the cancers return, or as well as can be expected. My dad is a fighter and he has loads of support. Thank you all so much. I will be posting weekly on either Saturday or Sunday from now on! 

Laura Katchmark

My family is my happiness and I love you all!

What a Ride!

Good Afternoon Everyone,

I am so happy to be writing again! I know it has been a while since my last post but I wanted to give my dad a chance to worry about healing. Sometimes I find that life's best moments happen in the time that is undocumented and relaxed. This has been particularly true this week! My mom, dad and I took a three day fishing trip to lake Michigan to celebrate my dad's 50th birthday!! I am so happy to say that because for a while we weren't sure if we would get to spend that day together. Besides the fishing (which was awful) we enjoyed being on the water, cherry picking, and visiting a few little shops along the lake shore. My dad's health also allowed us to attend my cousin Michelle's wedding. It was a beautiful ceremony and everyone was feeling pretty happy including my dad. At the wedding there was a funny pictures booth and I have to say I haven't laughed that hard in quite a while. The big sunglasses, a feather boa, and a fairy princess wand that created my dad's look will be remembered forever along with a matching outfit for Uncle John (Best picture ever:). These two events are just examples of what my summer has been like! Aside from the adventures we have had, my dad  is still going to Mayo once a week for testing. Up until now things have been holding steady and all has been well. Two weeks ago however my dad did a bone marrow and had a few tests done. After that he got sick and had a pretty high fever. We just got the results to the bone marrow test and...IT IS CLEAN!!! THERE ARE NO SIGNS OF CANCER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This doesn't mean that things are over (it is just a progress report) but it is such revitalizing news!! He is at Mayo this weekend however because he got sick again yesterday. He had a very high fever and the doctors determined that he has a bacterial line infection. He is being treated with antibiotics and will remain in the hospital until Monday. I am so happy!! There really aren't words to describe it! For the past months my family and I'm assuming most of you have carried this extra weight that never really goes away even when your entire body is screaming in protest to get rid of it. Although worry is still a part of every day life I no longer feel like i'm being crushed. I only pray that it will remain like this and that my dad continues to heal and regain his strength. What a ride. What a life. What a gift it is to have my dad still with us. It is truly amazing how one person can belong in the hearts of so many. Thank you so much for keeping your heart's open and your love always present. More news to follow soon.

Laura Katchmark

Love is not love without someone to hold
someone who cares and someone who knows 
how life can turn from joy into fear
how you may need a hug or some cheer

through the darkness, the sorrow, the pain, and uncertainty 
people come together enduring one great mystery 
why are we here and why do we suffer?
maybe it will remain a question without answer 

One thing is true and one thing is certain 
Love is not love without people like you

Welcome Summer!!

Hello Everyone,

It has been a while since my last post but we have been very busy!! School is finally over and now the fun begins! My dad has been doing wonderfully! He is up and about everyday and is keeping himself occupied with projects around the house:) Just yesterday he was busy fussing around with some wiring for lights downstairs! He loves making breakfast too and I have to say I'm not about to complain! As for his appointments, he is still going once a week down to Rochester and he has a bone marrow test on day one hundred. Although his counts have been coming up pretty consistently we wont know for sure what that means until we get the results back. His medications are still a bit of a pain but hopefully a few of those can be reduced if the results to the test are good. With summer comes new life and for us I'm praying that things will only get better. My family and my dad have come so far and for all of us I think we only have hope. Thank you for your support and love!
-My posts are going to return to random! This Sunday thing is not working because my schedule is extremely  busy! I do apologize for that.
~Laura Katchmark

Your Half Way There

Good Evening Everyone,

These last few weeks have been so wonderful! I sometimes wake up thinking its a dream and then when I hear my parents making breakfast and notice that i'm in my own bed I cant help but smile:) My dad has been doing great! He has passed his 50 day mark and is working his way to 100. There hasn't been much news lately because his counts are still holding steady. The doctors haven't taken him off of his anti-rejection medication yet but when they do we are going to be looking for a rash that will signal his body recognizing the stem cells. Thus far the medication hasn't allowed for that to happen. His appointments have been bumped from 2 per week to 1 every Wednesday and that is very nice for him! I will post again next Sunday but until then have a wonderful start to June and hope for some sunshine! Thank you for your love and support!
~Laura Katchmark

Keep going Dad, you have come so far and you have been so strong. I am so proud of you and I couldn't have asked for better parents than you and mom. You deserve happiness. I love you!

Home is a Wonderful Thing

Good Evening Everyone,

For the past week and a half things have been pretty crazy! I apologize for not writing until now but between finals and the unknown schedule I thought it would be best to just say it all once. My dad has been doing fantastic and there have been a lot of new changes and updates! The first big adjustment is that my parents were able to come home and will only remain so if my dad is doing well and doesn't have any complications:):) He commutes back and forth on Monday and Thursday for tests and doctors appointments! This is some of the best news we could have ever asked for. It finally feels normal and right in the world. Its odd to think that we have all spent half of a year worrying and praying and through all of tears, all of the moments it seemed like everything was just stuck, there is a light that is growing ever brighter. Its hard to describe the pain you carry with you when you know nothing is as permanent as it seemed to be or when as your driving away you see your parents peeking around the curtain like if they just watch long enough they can rewind time and fix what broke. As for the second update the cells in my dad's body have become 100% Johns! The test that was done today proved that. However (and this is the part that gets confusing) there was a second test that showed that 60% of his cells were John's and the other 40% were still his. Either way you look at it this is good news because he is on track for recovery. As always thank you for your love and endless support! There is still a long road a head and im sure there will be a few bumps but right now we are all enjoying just a little bit of happiness!
~Laura Katchmark

Tables Turning

Good Evening Everyone,

I hope you all had a nice weekend! My family and I did! Both of my parents were able to come home:) My Mom had to work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday but my dad got to enjoy being with my sister and I and just being away from the transplant house. He is doing very well especially considering how little time has passed since he received the stem cells. He counts continue to rise and his appetite is still present (a crucial part of recovery). He has been feeling a bit tired lately and today he has been feeling a bit sick. We aren't sure if it is just his body healing or if it is early signs of graft v. host disease. I will post in the middle of the week with new information. As always thank you for your love and support and enjoy the sunny weather!
~Laura Katchmark