A Patriot's Final Journey

Dave Logan 1956 - 2012

"The only greater sorrow would have been not to know him, right?" -- Dymphna of Gates of Vienna

"ThirdWaveDave" Dave Logan has entered into the beauty of God's Kingdom. He left us shortly after the medical team removed him from the life sustaining measures yesterday morning. Blessedly, he did not linger long.

We will be planning a celebration of Dave's life in the weeks ahead. Dave was not one to call a lot of attention to himself as many of you know. A private man, his final wishes were simple -- Dave asked me to spread his ashes on the beach here in Cape Canaveral. It will be my honor and privilege. Details are yet to be determined, but once plans are made, I'll keep you apprised.

Several of you have indicated that you want to be present when that happens. I would like that very much and I'll let you know when the date is set to take place, giving you ample time to make whatever travel arrangements are necessary.

I want to take this moment to thank each of you who have been so kind to send me caring notes following this morning's email about Dave. Your words have been a source of comfort to me on this very sad day. I truly appreciate your sympathy and wonderful remembrances of Dave. I don't think he had any idea the impact he had on so many of you, especially those of you in our extensive blogging community.

As you will understand, I won't be doing my radio show tonight. But it is my intention to dedicate a show in Dave's honor in the near future, and I hope you'll join me when I do.

Once again, my heartfelt thank you for your kindnesses. And for your friendship for both Dave and me.

Blessings to you all,

Andrea

Many of Dave's friends have posted remembrances at their Facebook pages. Others at their websites. They include:

Mr. Right

Marathon Pundit

Doug Gibbs

I Own The World

Radio Patriot - Dave's final journey

Radio Patriot - Our patriot Dave fighting to live

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!  


***

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.

TWD UPDATE: UC DAVIS CANCER CENTER, TASIGNA AND CML

Labs--mobile blogging from the UC Davis Cancer Center.
The wheels of modern American medicine are just beginning to turn for me, again. Tomorrow, Friday, I will get my final instructions on how my doctors will be proceeding with my treatment of CML, a clinical trial involving a drug called TASIGNA. I had a briefing today on what TASIGNA is but the exact plan is being formulated later today and in the morning, with adjustments based on today's lab results.

My labs from over a month ago showed my white blood count at 32,000--normal is 5-10k--and today my spleen showed the first signs of enlargement, which means my spleen is unable to filter out the onslaught of immature white blood cells. Since my spleen is enlarging, I expect a white count of over 40,000, possibly near 50k. Nothing alarming there since things don't get dicey until they reach the 100k level, but the disease is obviously back in force and with a number of other symptoms tagging along: dizzyness, joint stiffness, weight loss and extreme fatigue, to name a few.

Some preliminary plans were laid out today as well: pharmacy near my home for easy access to TASIGNA, and my doctor is moving my immediate care follow-ups in these early stages to my town--he has an office just down the street from me. How lucky was that? Very. However, if other treatment is called for, I will have to do that at the UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento.

As with Gleevec, TASIGNA has some cardiac considerations, and today's EKG showed I was ok in that department. (I would've had a pic of that but it wasn't pretty--the gown and all.) These new cancer drugs are amazingly effective but come with a thousand possible side effects. However, I had very few with the Gleevec, and those were minor. I expect the same with TASIGNA. I'd tell you how much this drug costs but you wouldn't believe me.

That's about it for today's medical events. All in all, it was a great day. Friday I'll have a conference call to nail down all the particulars, and then move forward. Not diggin' one foxhole on this end!

Also, when this journey began for me in early 2007, I don't think I ever wrote about it, thinking it was a downer of sorts for people to read. We all have problems and I figure you really don't need or want to know mine. Many people have emailed, called, and sent letters wanting to know how I'm doing, wishing me well. So I decided I'll give a few reports at the beginning. I've documented each step of this process in detail, and at a later date it's possible that I'll put all of it together.

As a tease, though, part of today's discussions involved health care reform--but not from my doctor. I was floored, to say the least. After a few minutes of this, I made one comment and then thought better of it and shut my mouth. But I did want to get up off the table and give a 5 minute block of instruction on the greatness of our country, and I could still make that speech if this topic comes up again.

Thanks for all the support. You have no idea how important it is. God Bless each of ya!