Don ’s Story

Site created on May 22, 2021

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. We are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

In March of 2021 dad went to the doctor because he was not feeling well. He was found to be anemic and was later diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) with early transformation into acute myeloid leukemia.

Dad has been an inpatient at Gundersen hospital since April 28th while receiving 3 doses of a very strong chemotherapy. It is called induction chemo and it basically wipes out all of the cells in the bone marrow. The next step, once his counts recover, is to undergo a bone marrow transplant. He will be meeting with the bone marrow transplant team at Mayo Clinic in Rochester in June to plan for the transplant.

Dad has been doing pretty well through all of this. He is handling it like a champ. His room is decorated with John Deere tractors and Iowa Hawkeye gear! He does a lot of reading, listening to music and podcasts, watching sports when he can. He is learning how to use technology! He is allowed to walk in the halls and go outside to the outdoor patio which is a blessing. The staff all love him of course!  Visiting is limited because of his vulnerable immune system, but someone from our family is there daily. Mom is there the most, she is still working, so her days are pretty busy.

Dad has already had many people reach out to him with kind and thoughtful words and generous gifts which is appreciated so very much!

Please continue to keep my dad in your prayers, they are appreciated!

Kelli Tornstrom
(Don’s daughter)

Newest Update

Journal entry by Kelli Tornstrom

Hi all,
It’s been a while since we updated, as they say no news is good news!  Thanks to all for the thoughts and prayers!

Dad had a post transplant follow up which included a bone marrow biopsy.  There are no signs of cancer (no leukemia cells) in his bone marrow, no signs of cell rejection, and all of his stem cells are Marlene’s-100%!  This is excellent news!  The best you can get from a bone marrow transplant.  We always knew that Marlene and dad were a lot alike and this proves it!!😜 Of course, there is ongoing monitoring that will take place, but not as frequently so he and Mom can go home!  He will need to make trips to Rochester monthly to check in, but otherwise can get labs locally.  

We are so amazed by this positive outcome, it definitely took a village!  We will never be able to thank Marlene enough for her willingness to donate.  It was not any easy process and we will forever be grateful!! The bone marrow transplant team led by Dr Hogan has been so awesome.  The care and expertise is second to none.  

My brothers Kody and Korey have been rock stars with keeping things going smoothly at the farm.  Dad will hopefully ease back into things, but he is looking so forward to being back on the farm.

Mom has been the rock for dad through all of this, she is the ultimate caregiver and spoils dad rotten and outs him in his place when he needs it😊!

We are lucky to have such supportive family and friends, so many kind and generous gestures have been witnessed!  Thank you all!

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