Journal entry by Halie Dalton —
Hi team! I want to pass along some really amazing results we received yesterday, because I know how important it is to celebrate good news as it comes -- and no better group to celebrate with than all of you!
Remember how my dad's bone marrow and blood were both at 100% donor, but we were still waiting on those stubborn t-cells to join the rankings? At yesterday's appointment, one of our favorite doctors explained to us that his t-cells shot up to 100%, and that my dad's transplant is fully engrafted! This is wonderful news for a variety of reasons, most of all being that there are no plans currently to continue on with chemotherapy or DLI. He is in remission! This was the closest report we've ever gotten to "all clear," and it feels oh so good.
We are still moving forward with photopheresis to get some of those GVHD symptoms (skin rash, GI issues, mouth sores, etc.) under control, but we are encouraged by the positive results many patients experience with photopheresis and are ready to hit the ground running. The process will likely take 6-12 months, but it will help wean him off of a lot of other medications (like steroids and immunosuppressants), and it comes with very little side effects. Dad is feeling strong going into his first photopheresis this afternoon.
To top it all off, yesterday we heard some of the words that we have been waiting (somewhat patiently...) to hear for the past year. In essence, the doctor told us that he expects my dad will live. Of course, this road is long and complicated and brings so many unexpected twists and turns, but we've never heard those words before. That, alone, is cause for major celebration. We all woke up feeling grateful, relieved, and, admittedly, shedding a few tears of joy. I know my dad is excited to look toward the future for the first time in a really, really long time. I won't even attempt to put my feelings into words.
Thank you all for your ongoing support. Thank you to Kaley for everything you do (it's a lot). And thank YOU, Dad, for inspiring us all. Filled to the brim with love for you.
xxoo,
Halie
Remember how my dad's bone marrow and blood were both at 100% donor, but we were still waiting on those stubborn t-cells to join the rankings? At yesterday's appointment, one of our favorite doctors explained to us that his t-cells shot up to 100%, and that my dad's transplant is fully engrafted! This is wonderful news for a variety of reasons, most of all being that there are no plans currently to continue on with chemotherapy or DLI. He is in remission! This was the closest report we've ever gotten to "all clear," and it feels oh so good.
We are still moving forward with photopheresis to get some of those GVHD symptoms (skin rash, GI issues, mouth sores, etc.) under control, but we are encouraged by the positive results many patients experience with photopheresis and are ready to hit the ground running. The process will likely take 6-12 months, but it will help wean him off of a lot of other medications (like steroids and immunosuppressants), and it comes with very little side effects. Dad is feeling strong going into his first photopheresis this afternoon.
To top it all off, yesterday we heard some of the words that we have been waiting (somewhat patiently...) to hear for the past year. In essence, the doctor told us that he expects my dad will live. Of course, this road is long and complicated and brings so many unexpected twists and turns, but we've never heard those words before. That, alone, is cause for major celebration. We all woke up feeling grateful, relieved, and, admittedly, shedding a few tears of joy. I know my dad is excited to look toward the future for the first time in a really, really long time. I won't even attempt to put my feelings into words.
Thank you all for your ongoing support. Thank you to Kaley for everything you do (it's a lot). And thank YOU, Dad, for inspiring us all. Filled to the brim with love for you.
xxoo,
Halie
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