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