Don’s Story

Site created on September 30, 2018


Welcome to our CaringBridge website.  Donny has acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). He went in the hospital Friday, September 28 due to profound weakness. His blood work showed the presence of AML, so he will be staying in the hospital for 3-4 weeks as he receives treatment.  We are using CaringBridge to keep family and friends updated in one place. We are in good hands at Providence Hospital and have such confidence in Dr. Godwin and his medical group. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement, but we are discouraging visitors as much as we'd like to see you. We'll keep this site up-to-date as best we can.  Thank you for visiting. Love to all.


And Donny says: "Don't break anything for the next month!"

Newest Update

Journal entry by cindy trelstad

Friends: My how time flies. I haven't touched base since last February and I apologize for that. I have been

                          so stable, and doing so well, that I haven't kept in touch.

                   September 28, 2021, was the third anniversary of my diagnosis. I remember the day well. I went

                          to the ER complaining of fatigue. I was told I had leukemia and promptly went into a rage,

                          proclaiming that leukemia was a hoax, and all I needed was a good strong dewormer. I was

                          sure their lab tests had miscounted my blood cells, and demanded a recount. I was convinced

                          that their lab equipment had been infected by a recent meteorite. It all seemed rational to me.

                  Now, three years later, I am still on the same chemotherapy, and doing very well. I still have one

                          week of infusions every 28 days, see the Nurse Practitioner monthly and my main oncologist

                          rarely. Not that I don't like the guy, but who wants to see a doctor when you feel well.

                 After the last post, I had my second vaccine. Several months later, I had my antibodies checked

                          twice.  Both tests showed no antibody levels. I am essentially unvaccinated. 

                 In the last post, I told you about Camp Cindola. Well, I major league goofed on that one. I

                          misspelled the names of the camp and camp director. It should have been CINDOLIA. How

                          can a missed "I" be so important?  I knew I was in trouble when  a porta-potty was moved

                          into the bedroom, and a deadbolt put on the door. The strong quarantine probably

                          saved me.

                 The Director and I do stay busy together: streaming TV,  doing jig saw puzzles, going on walks, and

                          doing yoga. Mostly, we argue about whether the cat should stay inside or go out. She is

                          a dedicated hunter, having virtually wiped out the animal population of NE Portland. Birds,

                          mice, rats, even a snake don't have a chance. I  want her to concentrate on Homeland Security

                          and not consider me a possible treat.

                 The 1937 Chrysler Airflow I worked on for three years has returned to its home. My

                          nephews and I continue to plug away on the 1929 Hudson. And I have a new project: a

                          1966 Porsche 912. These car projects keep me busy and make the lock down acceptable.

                   Without antibodies, I rarely go into any building. I do go out to eat, but always eat outside. Long

                            distance travel is out. I worry about getting close to anyone. Vaccinated people can still

                            carry and spread the virus. I think of my grandchildren as potential petrie dishes  because of

                            exposure at school.

                    As you can readily sense, I'm tired of dealing with this virus. I want it to go away. Nevertheless, 

                            I feel very fortunate and look forward to every day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

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