Update of sorts

I don't know how many people are even looking at this blog, anymore, but, as Debbi is too busy and Mary too sick to update it, I thought I would take a moment to write a little about how Mary is doing.

Mary had her second stem cell transplant (as opposed to a bone marrow transplant) on July 1st. Her new immune system has grafted, meaning that she is making her own white blood cells, but she is still in the hospital. Now they have to manage what is called graft versus host disease (GVHD). GVHD is basically keeping her new immune system from attacking her original healthy cells, and still letting it attack and kill the cancer cells. A tricky balance, to say the least.

Mary has had many ups and downs during this process, but right now is definitely at a down point. She had a colonoscopy last week and had to consume a large amount of liquid, which her kidneys have not been able to process and remove from her body. This has caused her to have a harder time breathing, as she has so much fluid in her body.

Today, Mary had her first round of dialysis to help clean her blood and hopefully take the pressure off of her kidneys so they will be able to manage the job they need to be doing. We don't know if she will have to continue to have dialysis, but our prayer is that her kidneys will work on their own, obviously. We are also hopeful that the decrease in fluid will help Mary to breathe more easily.

Mary was anointed and blessed to regain her health, today. We have faith that is what is going to happen.

Of the last 12 months, Mary has spent more than 9 months in the hospital for one reason or another. This has been very difficult for her and for Debbi, who has been there every day for Mary and still continued to work full time. They could use and would appreciate any prayers on their behalf.

As far as I know, they are not in need of any other help at this time. If you plan to visit Mary in the hospital, please be aware that she tires very easily and she is NOT a morning person. Please do not go early in the morning to see her, late morning at the earliest would be best. And please make your visit short. She does not have the energy to entertain people for long visits.

There has been some talk of holding a fundraising dinner, but nothing has been planned at this time. When such an event happens, I will try to remember to post the information here.

Thanks for continuing to pray for Mary and Debbi.

(Everything in this post is my understanding and opinion, if there are inaccuracies or miscommunications, the fault is totally mine.)

Sonja