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Carolyn’s Story

Site created on September 18, 2023

Welcome to our CaringBridge website! We will do our best to keep family and friends updated on Carolyn’s journey here.

In July 2023, Carolyn was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer called Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). MPN are cancers that start in the bone marrow, where blood cells are made. Since her diagnosis, she has been receiving care locally in Champaign Illinois, and from MD Anderson in Houston, Texas. The original plan was to receive care from Northwestern – but the wait was long, and God provided a connection with a family member who, as it turns out, is a research physician at MD Anderson Cancer Center, specializing in these rare kinds of blood cancers! So, Carolyn has ended up at literally the best place in the world for MPN treatment.

The treatment for MPN is a stem cell transplant, a 4 ½ month process which will take place down in Houston and may start as soon as December. We were told that this kind of stem cell transplant is the most grueling of all cancer treatments, but it is the only possible cure.

In the meantime, Carolyn is preparing for this treatment in Champaign. She is taking a non-curative chemo drug that is meant to improve/lessen her symptoms and to help prepare her body for treatment.

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There is a long list of details to pray over and figure out. Please pray with us:

- Carolyn has several medical evaluations required by the insurance company to show that she is a suitable candidate for the transplant.

- She will need to be in Houston, with a caregiver, for 4 ½ months

- The procedure is very costly. Insurance will pay much of it, which is incredible.

- There are many details to work out for housing, meals, and transportation during the time in Houston. Carolyn will be in the hospital for 3-4 weeks of that time, and will need to live close to the hospital for the rest of it.

- Carolyn needs a stem cell donor who is a full match for her genetic blood makeup

- Larry and Carolyn will likely need to close up their house for the winter. The cats will need a home.

- There are details to figure out regarding Larry’s leave of absence from work and loss of income during this time.

- Carolyn is not physically strong at this point. We pray for God’s upholding and strengthening power for each day. And, please join us in praying that God would heal her, either through this treatment or through his miracle working power.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Sarah Todd — Apr 28, 2024

Hello Friends and Family,

After being down in Houston this last week, Mom and Dad have some big news:

Mom has a willing donor who is an 9/10 match!

The start date for the transplant has been set—June 12th!

Following the start date, there will be 28 days of tests, ‘conditioning’, chemo and possible radiation, in preparation for the actual transplant day on July 10th.

This is all wonderful news! We are praising God for these answers to prayer.

In other news, she is back on the Ojjara drug. The medical team gave premeds and postmeds in an effort to help her tolerate the drug.. and had her under observation for many hours during her days at the clinic. . Although adverse reactions are still present, the hope is that these will lessen over time.

Thank you so much for your prayers. Please continue to pray with us that if this is the right time to start, the June 12th date would 'hold.' Please pray for the many moving parts of preparing to move to Houston. Please pray also that we as a larger family would have clear communication about/clear thinking about Mom's immune needs - we need to know when to visit and when to stay away. There are a lot of upcoming decisions. But in the meantime, we are thankful!

Read More of the journal titled "April 28, 2024"

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