Darnell Ashley

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Sept. 18, 2017
Continue to keep him in your prayers as we continue our journey to God's healing. Darnell was diagnosed with a non-Hodgkin's lymphoma called 'enteropathy associated t-cell lymphoma' found May 29th when they performed emergency surgery to remove a diseased section of his small intestines. After waiting 5 weeks for the incision to heal, he started CHOP chemo treatments under Dr. Jeremy Wells. 3 treatments later, the follow-up PET scan revealed the cancer had progressed(grown/spread). Dr. Wells changed to a more aggressive chemo regimen called ICE which requires 3-4 days hospitalization. He completed the 1st one last week which causes more nausea, dizziness, and fatigue than before.
Dr. Wells has also recommended a stem cell transplant of Darnell's own stem cells. The continued treatments and transplant was turned over to Dr. Locke Bryan in Augusta.  We've met with him today and signed paperwork to start the long and risky process. 
Several doctor's appointments are being lined up as he has to check out health-wise to even be a candidate for the procedure. They took about 20+ vials of blood today! After a chest x-ray, EKG, pulmonary function test, ECHO, and lab work results check out, they ask for insurance approval. 
Pray Saints 'cause the cost is upwards of a $1,000,000.00!!!
This process will involve another port being installed to perform the stem cell extraction process(similar to dialysis) called apheresis to take the blood out one line, filter out the stem cells, then return the blood through a second line.
He is scheduled for a 2nd ICE treatment Oct. 2-4. Then he will get 2-3 injections a day for 10 days to force his marrow to produce more stem cells. On day 11, he goes to the blood donor bank for the procedure to extract his stem cells. Based on the number, they may have to keep him overnight and do the procedure a 2nd time. These stem cells will then be frozen and kept for later.
He will be scheduled for 1 or 2 more ICE treatments, then a followup PET scan. When he is in remission(no cancer), they will then hospitalize him and give him a very high dose chemo treatment (I think called BEAM) that will take 6 days to administer. This kills everything, cancer, blood.....
At this point, he will receive his stem cells inserted back into his body. He will stay in the hospital 2+ weeks(could be 2-6depending) until his blood levels are safe. This part is critical and needs much prayer coverage that his blood starts regenerating!
He will need to stay away from anyone who has any illness, no pets, lots of hand sanitizers, etc. Etc. for up to 6 months afterward! One year out from transplant, he will actually have to be re-innoculated with all the childhood shots as his immune system is completeky wiped out and new like a baby's.
We greatly appreciate all of your prayers, well wishes, cards, etc.  We are fully standing on God's Word. He is our Healer and we trust Him with success and complete healing! Love you all.
I will add updates and schedules as we get them so you can stay informed and target your prayers on his behalf!