Prayers for Dave

It's been a week since I last came here to Dave's site to update you on his condition.

Unfortunately it hasn't gotten any better. In fact, it has worsened, and he is now on life support while his doctors try to identify the bacteria that is coursing through his body so they can eradicate it with the proper antibiotic. Pray they isolate it soon.

Those of us who are close to him -- his family and friends -- are asking for your prayers.

Please keep a good thought for Dave, and pray that God's will be done mercifully. If He is to take Dave, let it be swift and painless. If He wills it that Dave remain with us, let his recovery be also swift and pain free.

I will keep you posted as I learn more. But for now, please pray.

We have faith that His ways, thought they be mysterious, are perfect.

Thanks so much,

Andrea




***

DAVE HITS THE MARK IN A PERFECT LANDING!

While Dave says he is ready to ring an alarm bell alerting the medical team that he's an inch away from the coffin...

Hi everybody!  Andrea here, writing at Dave's request and on his behalf.  And no, he's not anywhere near danger -- just feeling like death warmed over as the stem cells engraft themselves into his body and the docs continue to administer chemo to keep his immune system suppressed.

I spoke with our patriot earlier today -- the first time in several days that he's felt human enough to make a call -- and he's doing fine.  Well... as fine as can be expected.  His physicians tell him his "numbers are perfect" and he's doing very well, despite feeling pretty cruddy. But the docs' are confident he's doing just fine, even if Dave occasionally is ready to punch the eject button.

It is expected that ThirdWaveDave will continue to feel icky for the next few days, but after that things will improve. And then you'll be hearing from him instead of me. But in the meantime...

Dave asked me to extend his thanks to those of you who have left messages for him at his Facebook page, in his email box, and here at his blogsite. And to all who are praying for him as he faces the biggest challenge of his life -- bigger even than when this 200-jump skydiver made his first leap into thin air from 10,000 feet!

More to come, so stay tuned! Reporting to you ALIVE and well via UC Davis Cancer Center in Sacramento...

Andrea
The Radio Patriot

THIRDWAVEDAVE'S HEALTH UPDATE: THE PHONE CALL I WAS WAITING FOR

I belong to one of the most amazing email groups--CONRECO.  Some of the smartest, politically savvy individuals on the Internet. They're also some of the most generous, patriotic people you'd ever want to know.


Back on April 10, I put out a notice that I'd be making a slight change to my blog site: the inclusion of "gaming" and "my health" as topics of discussion.  Many know that I'm waiting for a bone marrow transplant for CML--a rare form of Leukemia--and the notice prompted many to wish me luck and to include me in their daily prayers.  Powerful support group, and most appreciated.


One of the members (won't mention a name since I don't have permission at this time) told me of someone who's a 10 year Leukemia survivor and wanted to know if I'd like to talk with her.  My answer was in the affirmative, of course. 


Well, this morning a call came in from one Rhonda Kokot.  She had AML, a very deadly version of what I have, CML.  10 years ago treatment options were few, and what drugs were available, according to Rhonda, were ineffective, so transplant was the course of action. Rhonda went thru chemo, radiation and the transplant with flying colors.  It wasn't easy, but she made it.


When she called this morning, she was on the road traveling to a race... a half-marathon race in which she's a participant!  God love her.  


During the call, Rhonda took me thru the bone marrow transplant process from beginning to end, answering any and all questions I had lurking in the recesses of my fertile imagination.  I know doctors prefer not to scare you, so they tend to "soften" the language when describing certain medical procedures, especially ones that could end in a 21 gun salute, followed by the folding of Old Glory and sounding of TAPS. 


A half-marathon!  You know that's 13 plus miles, right?  Bless her heart. 


Since I'll be in the hospital for a month, maybe longer, Rhonda took the time to advise me on how to make the stay more comfortable, more home-like. Some items never occurred to me, some did.  Long ago I learned to bring my own clothes.  The hospital gown is simply unacceptable, as anyone who's been in the hospital knows. People close to me know my feelings about the person who invented that wonderful garment.


Our conversation was most productive and cleared up several things I was nervous about.  However, I do realize each person reacts to these transplants in different ways--according to research studies, most are devoid of the horror stories you hear about.  There will be some bumps in the road, I know this, and they'll be dealt with as they arise.  Rhonda had a few nasty items hit her too, but nothing her medical team couldn't handle. And today, medical teams can handle a great deal of trouble.   


I can't thank Rhonda Kokot enough for taking time out of her day--her weekend--to talk me down off the ledge. And to the CONRECO member who set up this meeting.  Blessings to you as well.  


******


Now on to the phone call I've been waiting for. You're probably thinking I was waiting for Rhonda Kokot's call.  Well, it was one of the calls I was waiting on, but not "the" phone call.


Last Thursday, one of my medical team members phoned me.  Christine's message was straightforward: that my donor still had a few routine tests to go thru but at this time they were able to "green light" my transplant. I must say, those words brought back the feelings of anxiety that only a first static line jump can create in the pit of your stomach. Some of you will understand what I'm talking about.


So, my orders are as follows:  The University of California Cancer Center will be expecting me May 4th for admission.  Chemo will begin soon after one medical procedure is complete--the installation of a chest catheter, not sure of the technical name.


On May 10th, my donor's bone marrow will arrive at Sacramento International, then transported to the cancer center. Soon after arrival, the bone marrow will begin flowing into my veins.


As a reminder, I will have a laptop and video at my bedside so I can document this process the best I can.  On those days when I'm not feeling well enough, Andrea Shea King will transcribe by phone to my blog anything of note.


That's it for now.  Updates will follow in the days to come. Blessings to all of you who've prayed for me.  Don't stop now!  


***

TWD MEDICAL UPDATE

Good afternoon friends and family. This is an update of my medical situation.

Last Saturday morning (4am) I became ill with a fever and flu-like symptoms. Sometimes with leukemia I'll get hot flashes that recede shortly after they begin, but this wasn't one of those times. It was "go time." I went to the hospital, was admitted and stayed until Monday afternoon.

Months ago, as part of my leukemia treatment, my medical team installed in my arm a device called a pik line. Not sure how it's spelled but it boils down to an IV line in your arm that stays in place for up to a year. The line allows medical staff to take blood for testing and administering medicines/fluids as well. No needles involved as leukemia treatment involves lots of antibiotics that cause veins to be harder to find for that technician looking to take more of my blood, so the pik line solves that problem.

Well, sometimes the pik line comes with problems. This one did. Whatever the reason, this line caused me to develop a couple blood clots in the deep vein between my elbow and shoulder area, causing my arm to begin swelling, turning red, becoming warm with the arm seeming tight to the touch.

An ultra sound confirmed the clots, treatment was prescribed, improvements were immediate and out the door I went. Hospitals are full of sick people and I don't care to be in them. But with leukemia, I know I will be in them more and more as time goes on. I'll be going in for about a month, maybe longer, in the near future for a bone marrow transplant. If this little process doesn't kill me, I will certainly survive leukemia, setting a new world record.

Btw, the treatment for the clots, is I get to give myself a shot twice a day in the tummy area, possibly for up to six months. This, I'm convinced, is God's way of getting my attention for my wicked ways in the past. Message received, loud and clear!

So I've been home for a few days, feeling very good and ready to continue the process of kicking a Marxist out of OUR White House. Anyone with me?

Later, and thanks for all the Well Wishes. Most appreciated.

***

Waiting on a Bone Marrow Transplant.

Dear Friends,

Many of you have been praying for Dave's recovery, and for that he is appreciative.

He's asked me to update you on his condition. As you know if you've read the previous posts linked below, Dave's been fighting what's known as Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia for several years. Last year he began a clinical trial with drug maker Novartis, using Tasigna, a relatively new drug with promising results. Without getting too technical, this drug prevents the bone marrow from overproducing the white blood cells that literally crowd out the red blood cells we all need to live.

For reasons yet unknown, Dave's disease became quite aggressive in the past several weeks, causing him a great deal of fatigue and discomfort as the CML shifted from "chronic" to "acute".

Since he was admitted into UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento three weeks ago, Dave has been undergoing extensive tests for a bone marrow transplant. His oncologists are searching for an appropriate match in the bone marrow donor database and as soon as one is found, the transplant will take place.

Meanwhile, his immune system is virtually non-existent and he's being kept in an isolation unit. Visitors must gown up as thoroughly as an OR surgeon to ensure Dave is not exposed to any bacteria, virus, or germ that could complicate his condition.

Dave doesn't yet have his personal computer with him, but we're hoping that will change very soon. He's looking forward to getting back online and emailing with you!

We will keep you posted as soon as there's something new to report. Thank you for your emails (send to him in care of me at: Radiopatriot@gmail.com), phone calls and prayers. You have no idea how much they cheer him.

Here are the previous posts by Dave about CML

TWD Update: UC Davis Cancer Center, Tasigna and CML - July 29, 2010

TWD UPDATE PT. 2: TASIGNA + 30 DAYS - Sept. 8, 2010

TWD UPDATE PT 3: CML, TASIGNA + 60 DAYS - Nov. 7, 2010

Scroll down to read my last two reports.