Hey friends, it’s Andrew here. We have had a wild last couple days and wanted to give you an update.
Bad News
About a week ago Dave’s back, neck, and shoulder started to become sore. It eventually became a lot worse and the pain was coming from the shoulder primarily. On Tuesday morning we decided to take him to Cedars Sinai to have Dr. Lopez check him out. At first they threw out some scary words like “Meningitis”. They did some blood tests, X-rays and a spinal tap, and eventually ruled out Meningitis as a diagnosis. To this moment we still don’t know exactly what is causing the pain in his shoulder. The doctors don’t think it has anything to do with Leukemia issues (wait till you read the ‘good news’). It is very possible that Dave just overdid it with too much physical activity, too quick. A very likely diagnosis is a pinched nerve somewhere in his shoulder or back. We are waiting to do more tests, and will be sure to get the results to you ASAP.
Good News
There are a few tests that happen around the 100 day marker to see how well the transplant is working. One of these tests is a chimerism blood test and the other test is the bone marrow biopsy. We do not have the results from the bone marrow biopsy yet, but we do have results from the chimerism test. Folks, Dave is no longer 99.9% his donor’s blood cells. He is now 100% his brother Paul’s cells!!! This is fantastic news to be celebrated! In fact, these results made it to us last night in the middle of the scary and uncertain moments regarding his shoulder pain. We are still awaiting the results from the bone marrow biopsy that will show even more detail of his progress.
We have been in the hospital since yesterday afternoon managing the pain and recovering from the bone marrow biopsy. But we are full of joy, hope, and thrill about the news of 100%! We are also anxious to know a diagnosis and physical rehabilitation plan regarding his shoulder. It’s a minor speed bump in a larger battle we have already won!
This verse kept us going last night and today. You need to memorize this one. “May your unfailing love be with us, LORD, even as we put our hope in you.” Psalm 33:22
God’s Got This!
Andrew Stoecklein