Mark is still in the hospital and is hoping to be out by Sunday or Monday. The Doc's said they would do their best to get him out by Tuesday (his 33rd birthday!) We will also be traveling to Seattle later this week to have an introductory / evaluation appointment at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. It is the next step in the Bone Marrow Transplant process. We will get everything in place so that when we find a donor we'll be ready to go.
On the subject of donors, please, please, please get on the national registry. The link is here on the blog at the top. Encourage everyone you know and those you come in contact with. We need as many people on there as possible. Not just for Mark's chance at health but for every other family out there that needs their Daddy or Mommy or sister or baby to be well again.
We have had a tough week. It is hard to be apart each night - Mark at the hospital - me at home with the kids. It is hard to hand your babies over to Grandmas and Grandpas and friends each day to go to the hospital or to work. I miss all the little cute moments and new things they are learning without me. They are in GREAT hands though. I wouldn't be able to make it though this all without my parents (all 4 of you) family and wonderful generous friends. They are all giving of their time and love to my family. The boys do come home with great stories each day and I love laying in the dark as they are going to sleep and hearing about their day.... praying that this will be over soon, and that Daddy will just "be done already mommy."
I love my husband SO much, I can't wait for this burden to be lifted from him and our family. As we celebrate our 10 year wedding anniversary this week I am reminded of all the amazing things we have done together and of the plans we still have to complete. My heart is sad and I am morning the life I thought I would always have: A long full life together in great health. We will now always deal with issues related to leukemia or the bone marrow transplant. We are strong and we trust in God, who is bigger then all of this, but is it still hard to wrap your head around. We are committed to holding on to our JOY. It comes from a never ending source and nothing is strong enough to take that away.
Please continue to PRAY for us. For Healing. For a Donor. For Peace. For Strength. For JOY.
LOVE Karen.
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Monday, June 25, 2012
THE STORY
On Easter morning, April 8th 2012, Mark was experiencing intense pain all over his body. He had also had cold and flu symptoms for over a month that were not going away even with being on Zpack. We headed into the emergency room - over the next 72 hours they did every test possible to Mark. We found out the official diagnosis on Wednesday morning April 11th: Precursor B-Cell mutation+ Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. The pain Mark was experiencing was due to his bone marrow being "too full" because of his marrow being filled 95% with leukemia cells.
We started a 28 day hospitalized induction Chemotherapy cycle soon after diagnosis. 41 days later we were released and headed home for Mark to rest and gain back his immunity.
We are now in Remission, meaning there are no signs of leukemia in Mark's marrow at this time. In order to keep the Leukemia from coming back, Mark will be doing consolidation block Chemotherapy. It consists of 2 week treatment blocks. The first few days of each 2-week block we will be in the hospital receiving continuous IV drugs. Then we'll get to go home for the remainder of the 2-weeks to regain health and get his "numbers" back up with in-home care.
We will continue these 2-week treatment blocks until a Bone Marrow Donor can be found from the National registry. Mark needs a bone marrow transplant due to the mutation positive type of luekemia he has. The likely hood of the leukemia coming back and Chemotherapy not working next time is too high to take the risk. The transplant is his best chance at a cure. We have tested his 2 brothers - they are not a good enough match. The National registry is large and we are hopeful.
Through this all we have seen some Amazing blessings God has set up in advance for us. He continues to bless us every day with strength and joy. I will write more on these specific blessings later. Stay tuned.... they will blow your mind and re-new your faith in a God who truly loves us and works for the good of those who love him!
Now to answer the 3 BIG QUESTIONS every one has been asking me....
1. HOW IS MARK?
He is doing good. He feels about like you would the last couple days you are recovering from the flu. Most days just weak, tired and a tiny bit nauseous. The days following the heaviest Chemo drugs are worse - but the last few days before he starts a new 2-week block are pretty good. He has rules about eating and going out in public, visitors have to wear masks and we are all learning to wash, wash, and wash our hands. His spirits are high and he is ready for each new step of this crazy "new-normal." He is trusting God each day and looking to Him for renewed strength and health.
2. HOW ARE YOU DOING?
I am doing well. I will NOT let Leukemia steal my JOY and OPTIMISM! I refuse to let fear creep in and I will continue to let the Lord sustain me as I know I cannot do this alone. I need the strength of Christ like never before. I also need all of those around me supporting and helping. I will answer honestly when asked if I need help, I know this is a team sport and we will beat this cancer together. I am super busy, usually tired and sometimes a little crabby. I have never before had to fight so hard to keep my optimistic attitude, but I am fighting, and winning.
3. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
PRAY. - We need a donor, more than likely a complete stranger to be SO generous and give the gift of life - to give my husband a chance at old age.
- We need HEALTH for Mark. Continued improvement and stamina to make it through the next few "two week" cycles of Chemotherapy treatment.
- For joy and peace for my boys.
- For strength each day!
SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE MARK
Email
Visit: in hospital or at home - just text him first to make sure it is a good time. Having visitors and "news from the outside world" is great help to recovery.
Send a card
For when he is in the hospital: There is a FREE “send a card” feature on the hospital website. You can pick a card, write a message and the hospital will delivered it to his room. http://www2.providence.org/spokane/facilities/sacred-heart-medical-center/pages/cheer-cards.aspx
GIVE
Bring a meal.
Jordan and Jen have volunteered to organize meals for us. They set up a calendar at Mealtrain.com for us. You can click the following link to see the calendar and sign up. http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=mtarf4cqkuqt I can't tell you how much of a blessing this has been to us. I have trouble getting to the store and having time to cook when and if I am home. While we have my parents watching boys at our house or family in town it has been wonderful to not worry about dinner.
Give Blood.
Mark has been receiving blood transfusions often. We have an account set up at Inland Northwest Blood Center under "Mark Snyder" You can give blood at the INBC under his name and we will receive gift cards for groceries and financial help toward our medical expenses for each unit Mark uses that was donated in his name.
Give financially.
We now have an account set up at Chase Bank that people have been asking for. You can donate to Mark's medical expenses by going to Chase Bank, giving Mark Snyder's name.
REGISTER. I would encourage you to sign up on the Bone Marrow Registry. You can join the Bone Marrow Registry by going online to http://marrow.org/. They’ll mail you a swab kit and all you need to do is swab your cheek, fill out the papers and send it back. It is that easy! You could be a match - or be the answer to another wife's prayer out there. You could SAVE a life.
Thank you all for your support. I'll try my best to keep this updated.
We started a 28 day hospitalized induction Chemotherapy cycle soon after diagnosis. 41 days later we were released and headed home for Mark to rest and gain back his immunity.
We are now in Remission, meaning there are no signs of leukemia in Mark's marrow at this time. In order to keep the Leukemia from coming back, Mark will be doing consolidation block Chemotherapy. It consists of 2 week treatment blocks. The first few days of each 2-week block we will be in the hospital receiving continuous IV drugs. Then we'll get to go home for the remainder of the 2-weeks to regain health and get his "numbers" back up with in-home care.
We will continue these 2-week treatment blocks until a Bone Marrow Donor can be found from the National registry. Mark needs a bone marrow transplant due to the mutation positive type of luekemia he has. The likely hood of the leukemia coming back and Chemotherapy not working next time is too high to take the risk. The transplant is his best chance at a cure. We have tested his 2 brothers - they are not a good enough match. The National registry is large and we are hopeful.
Through this all we have seen some Amazing blessings God has set up in advance for us. He continues to bless us every day with strength and joy. I will write more on these specific blessings later. Stay tuned.... they will blow your mind and re-new your faith in a God who truly loves us and works for the good of those who love him!
Now to answer the 3 BIG QUESTIONS every one has been asking me....
1. HOW IS MARK?
He is doing good. He feels about like you would the last couple days you are recovering from the flu. Most days just weak, tired and a tiny bit nauseous. The days following the heaviest Chemo drugs are worse - but the last few days before he starts a new 2-week block are pretty good. He has rules about eating and going out in public, visitors have to wear masks and we are all learning to wash, wash, and wash our hands. His spirits are high and he is ready for each new step of this crazy "new-normal." He is trusting God each day and looking to Him for renewed strength and health.
2. HOW ARE YOU DOING?
I am doing well. I will NOT let Leukemia steal my JOY and OPTIMISM! I refuse to let fear creep in and I will continue to let the Lord sustain me as I know I cannot do this alone. I need the strength of Christ like never before. I also need all of those around me supporting and helping. I will answer honestly when asked if I need help, I know this is a team sport and we will beat this cancer together. I am super busy, usually tired and sometimes a little crabby. I have never before had to fight so hard to keep my optimistic attitude, but I am fighting, and winning.
3. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP?
PRAY. - We need a donor, more than likely a complete stranger to be SO generous and give the gift of life - to give my husband a chance at old age.
- We need HEALTH for Mark. Continued improvement and stamina to make it through the next few "two week" cycles of Chemotherapy treatment.
- For joy and peace for my boys.
- For strength each day!
SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE MARK
Visit: in hospital or at home - just text him first to make sure it is a good time. Having visitors and "news from the outside world" is great help to recovery.
Send a card
For when he is in the hospital: There is a FREE “send a card” feature on the hospital website. You can pick a card, write a message and the hospital will delivered it to his room. http://www2.providence.org/spokane/facilities/sacred-heart-medical-center/pages/cheer-cards.aspx
GIVE
Bring a meal.
Jordan and Jen have volunteered to organize meals for us. They set up a calendar at Mealtrain.com for us. You can click the following link to see the calendar and sign up. http://www.mealtrain.com/?id=mtarf4cqkuqt I can't tell you how much of a blessing this has been to us. I have trouble getting to the store and having time to cook when and if I am home. While we have my parents watching boys at our house or family in town it has been wonderful to not worry about dinner.
Give Blood.
Mark has been receiving blood transfusions often. We have an account set up at Inland Northwest Blood Center under "Mark Snyder" You can give blood at the INBC under his name and we will receive gift cards for groceries and financial help toward our medical expenses for each unit Mark uses that was donated in his name.
Give financially.
We now have an account set up at Chase Bank that people have been asking for. You can donate to Mark's medical expenses by going to Chase Bank, giving Mark Snyder's name.
REGISTER. I would encourage you to sign up on the Bone Marrow Registry. You can join the Bone Marrow Registry by going online to http://marrow.org/. They’ll mail you a swab kit and all you need to do is swab your cheek, fill out the papers and send it back. It is that easy! You could be a match - or be the answer to another wife's prayer out there. You could SAVE a life.
Thank you all for your support. I'll try my best to keep this updated.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Back to Blogg'in
I have found myself with the need to blog again. It has been a really long time since this blog has been active. I will start the next few posts with story of our life for the past few months and then continue to update it as things change. This way friend and family can get updates and send encouragement and comments to us - but avoiding the "reply all" feature of Facebook messaging. I was trying to keep people updated through facebook but it was not the best system. More to come....
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