Hoping for a healthy 2010!

Happy New Year to all! We remain in Raleigh awaiting the green light to begin Kancho's stem cell transplant. So for the "usual" process has not worked with Kancho and has challenged our patience as we are over a month delayed at this point. On the flip side, were able to be together with my parents and older sister for Christmas and Kancho's D-day. Kylee, Kancho and I spent new year's eve acting silly by making random items with colored pipe cleaners. Kylee enjoyed taking pictures of Mommy and BaBa looking funny and insisted we post them for all to laugh at :-)
We miss our home a great deal and appreciate the visits of family and friends to Raleigh to see us. Keep the prayers coming into 2010!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Anticipating Christmas with family!

After an appointment with Dr. Serody on the 17th, it looks like "plan B" needs to be delayed:-( The Mozobil can only be administered if Kancho's counts are "in desired range" or the medication will not work. We will be visiting the BMT clinic weekly so they can check his counts and estimate when we can move forward with Mozobil. Kancho's sister Fran visited this past week and was able to meet the staff treating Kancho as well as see the new Cancer Hospital facility. Fran and Kylee walked the neighborhood looking for pretty x-mas light displays. On Saturday we went to the Nutcracker ballet downtown with my close friend Nicole who lives here in Raleigh. We are anticipating my parents and sisters arrival the 23rd for Christmas together.

God Bless,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Time to re-group!

The initial autologous stem cell collection attempt (11-29-09 thru 12-11-09) was unsuccessful for Kancho. The doctors are moving onto "plan B" which includes the addition of Mozobil. This medication is suppose to prompt a quick release of stem cells from the patients bone marrow within the 12 hr period following the injection. Kancho will be injected with the Mozobil at 9pm on 12/27/09 and they will try to collect his stem cells in the 1-2 days that follow (the Mozobil can only be given for 4 days max). If successful, Kancho will go inpatient for the actual transplant procedure on or before 1/5/10, and remain in the hospital for 30 days. Once discharged, we have to remain in Chapel Hill for 3-6 weeks until Kancho's blood counts "recover" and they are comfortable releasing him from their care. Our estimated return to Kannapolis will now be mid to late February 2010. The positive side to this setback is that we now get to spend Christmas Day (also Kancho's birthday) together YEY!!!!! Kancho's sister Fran is arriving today from VA to spend some time with us before the holiday. Photo is of Kancho and Kylee at a Raleigh library looking at books about Horses :-)

Thanks for all the continued prayers and positive thoughts,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Safely to Raleigh!

We successfully moved and unloaded two months worth of "stuff" to Raleigh on 11/29/09. We are settled in and getting to know our way around a bit outside the usual route to and from UNC hospital. We have gone daily for tests to see when Kancho will be ready for the stem cell collection step. The staff are nice and keep reminding us to be patient with the process. It's funny how the clinic has these HUGE remote controls.......they must think all patients are senile huh? Kancho is staying active by playing the Wii daily and we found out that the new bone marrow hospital rooms have Wii in them, so he is happy to get to play when he is hospitalized. The final photo is of Kancho and Kylee decorating our tree in the Raleigh house. We are trying to make it feel as "close to home" as possible. My parents have joined us to assist with Kylee and we really appreciate the sacrifice they are making for our family.

Love.

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Headed to Chapel Hill

We finally have some firm information to pass along to everyone! Kancho will begin an autologous stem cell transplant on 11/18/09 and should complete the process by mid January 2010. We will be living in the Raleigh area during this time thanks to the support of friends and family. We are so proud of Kylee as she entered a horse show on 11/7/09 and won two blue ribbons. We continue to spend quality time as a family when Kancho is feeling up to it. We look forward to posting good news in the months to come.

Luv,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Looking forward to the holiday season!

We have had fun this October with a pumpkin patch trip and a visit from Kancho's mom and sister (Elsa and Fran). Our appointment at Chapel Hill was postponed until 11/5/09, so we will post more about Kancho's next treatment options following that date. Happy Halloween to all :-)

Luv,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Hyper CVAD treatment cycles come to an end!

Kancho had an uneventful hospitalization for the last of 8 treatments he has been undergoing since January 09. In October we will hear recommendations on what Kancho's treatment options are going forward from his doctors. Kancho has his PET scan on 20th followed by an appointment with his local oncologist (Dr. Williams) on the 21st. Kancho's bone marrow will also be rechecked for cancer cell activity. Kancho's sister and mom will be coming in town to join us for these appointments and procedures. The following week Kancho and I will go to UNC Chapel Hill for a consultation with Dr. Serody (stem cell transplant oncologist).

Kancho has enjoyed helping Kylee with her nightly reading homework. We are gearing up for Halloween time, one of Kancho's favorite times of the year. Kancho is excited to be going with his buddy Kitka to the Panthers vs Redskins game today in Charlotte.

We are so grateful for the continued support of family and friends :-)

God Bless,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee