Sunday, November 2, 2008 Happy Election Eve! I know it’s been about two months since Jason’s last update so there’s much to report on my baby brother . . . Jason continues to make improvement and is still in the process of tapering off his immune-suppressant drugs. He is almost completely off the 2nd of the 3 drugs. So after this one, just one more to go! If the schedule holds and everything goes as planned, he should be off these drugs by early March. We are all hoping and praying and crossing our fingers that the GVHD doesn’t return during this period as it has 2 other times . . . the doctor’s don’t expect it will, either. In spite of all this good news, Jason is still battling with mouth GVHD and is treating it with topical medicine instead of the usual systemic method (pills). He also is having another IGG Infusion on Tuesday which will most-likely cause headaches and nausea the following few days. Believe it or not, Jason also has skin cancer – Basil Cell Cancer! About a month ago, his dermatologist biopsied spots on his scalp and clavicle; both spots came back positive. Apparently this is the most common type of cancer in America and has no effect on his transplant recovery (thank goodness!). He got it from sun exposure and a compromised immune system. Last week, he had the spot removed from his scalp and looked like a mummy all bandaged up. And later this week he’ll have the spot on his clavicle removed. Ouch! And as the flu season approaches, Jason received the “Annual Lecture” on the danger of flu season for transplant patients. They actually made him sign a document that said all his family members and anyone around him would have a flu shot this year. Jason has come so far these past three years, and we cannot afford to let something like the flu set him back. In 1857, Frederick Douglass said, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” When I came across this quote for my AP English classes, I immediately thought of Jason’s situation and journey. We all have struggles and successes in life. And because of them, we are often forced to progress and to change. Let’s hope the next few months bring continued change and progress for Jason, as well as for our country. Thanks for stopping by to read the update. Make sure you VOTE and get a flu shot! And if you have a minute, drop Jason a get-well note. Have a good week and take care. ~Stephanie
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