MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!!

Hope this post finds you in good holiday spirits!

We are so happy to be in our own home this holiday season and find ourselves reminiscing about our holiday months in Raleigh last year. This Thanksgiving we were visited by Kancho's family and gathered at my parents house for a delicious feast :-) Kylee especially enjoyed the time playing with her cousins Shane and Pierce.
In December we received the best x-mas gift we could have asked for! Kancho's 12/13/10 PET scan and MRI came back without the presence of any cancer cell activity. Kancho is now 10 months out from his transplant with an estimated 20-26 months to go till the doctor can use the word "cured". We celebrated this news by wearing silly x-mas themed hats and taking a picture with our horse Vivian. Our new dog Lexi is settling in well, but gets into everything if we don't keep an eye on her at all times.....ugh! Kylee continues to take riding lessons and has advanced to jumping low fences. We are so proud of her. It has snowed at least twice here in Kannapolis this month and has been much colder than usual for this area. We are looking forward to X-mas day and are grateful for the quality time that the holiday season allows us to have with our family and friends. We hope this message finds you filled with gratitude and peace this holiday season.


God Bless,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

October 2010

October has been a nice segway to our 2010 holiday season. We went to Patterson Farms to pick out and decorate pumpkins. Kylee's costume choice this Halloween was the Disney princess "Belle". She is not much into the whole "trick or treat" routine, but enjoyed watching Kancho and I pass out candy to kids in the neighborhood. Kancho's cousins John and Chris came into town recently and it proved to be visit full of childhood story-telling and laughter! The guys also went to a Bobcats game and watched lots of sports together. We are looking forward to having Kancho's mother and sister come down for Thanksgiving. Kylee will get to see her cousins Shane and Pierce who enjoy trekking through the woods to find imaginary treasures. Lexi will find it fun to have more kids to chase around the yard and play fetch with.
We hope the start of this holiday season finds you and your families in good health and thanksgiving. We are grateful that Kancho's health has stabilized and await his next PET scan in January 2011.

Take care,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

September 2010

Our September has been good. Kylee celebrated her 6th birthday with family at the local fair. Only "big" girls ride roller coasters! Kylee also got to see her aunt "TT" who came down from Ohio to spend a weekend with her nieces. We also added a new addition to the Spasoff family in September.......a boxer named Lexi! She is 6 months old and is very gentle and affectionate when she is not running circles around the house for exercise. Despite Kancho's resistance to getting a dog, I think he enjoys Lexi's companionship at home when Kylee and I are gone during the day.

Kancho has been doing well these past few months, however he has had several infections since his immune system is still extremely low. He has been on at least 5 antibiotic cycles and will be finishing one very soon. He received a chest x-ray last week to verify he has not developed a lung infection called Interstitial Pneumonitis, which is caused by one of the transplant chemotherapy meds (BCNU). The x-ray did not show any inflammation or fluid on his lungs, however he cannot seem to shake the cough he has had for weeks now. The doctor plans to take a CT scan of Kancho's chest if his cough does not subside upon completion of his current antibiotic cycle.

Kancho is looking forward to a visit from his cousins later this month and to begin attending the Bobcats basketball games in the coming months. And of coarse, we are excited for Halloween to arrive :-)

Luv,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Summer 2010

Well, long time no post! Boy, we've had a busy but fun summer. Kylee and I have been to the pool a lot, I think we're both turning into fish or mermaids if Kylee had her way. In June, our family had a chance to go to the beach, which was awesome. We swam in the pool as well as the ocean (see picture above).

In early July, we had another chance to go to the beach for our annual family reunion. It's always fun to visit with Ali's relatives who we don't get to see often. Kylee has a great time playing with her cousins as well. In late July, Kylee and her cousin Lily spent a week at Dee Dee and PaPa's house on the lake (see picture above).

As for August, I guess we're winding down the summer. Last week Kylee was in Horse camp. She had a terrific time, being at the barn all week riding horses. Kylee won the best 2 point position award, which is a pose to improve a rider's balance. She's such a good rider! Kylee is so excited to start Kindergarden, she couldn't wait to dress up and try on her new uniform for school (see picture above). Both Ali and I are excited for her as well.

Last but certaintly not least, I have had 2 negative Pet Scans during the summer. I have been in remission since June 3rd and I'm feeling pretty good. My next scan is not until January 2011 and my next visit to Chapel Hill isn't until Febuary 2011. Long story short, that means I'm doing better! Hopefully, I will continue to get stronger throughout this year and into the next. I will continue to post, so you can follow my progress. I want to thank everyone for their thoughts, concerns and prayers through this difficult time in my life. I know I couldn't have made it this far without you!

Sincerely,

Kancho

National Cancer Survivors Day

Today we attended the 9th annual NEMC National Cancer Survivors Day festivities. Look at the difference in Kancho from 6/09 to 6/10! These photo's were taken at the annual event both years. We are so grateful for his progress in the past year :-)





Kancho's PET scan on 5/18/10 and follow-up doctor's appointment went well. We traveled to UNC Hospital on 6/3/10 to meet with Kancho's transplant oncologist to confirm the PET scan reading and discuss the treatment process over the next year. Dr. Serody confirmed that the PET scan shows Kancho is in remission! YEY! He will get another PET scan in July and then he will go to 6 month scans thereafter. Dr. Serody states Kancho should be "out of the woods" at the end of year 2 (March 2012) as the percentage of relapse after 2 years is rare for his type of cancer. In the meantime, Kancho's counts remain low so the doctor wants to perform a bone marrow biopsy on 6/8/10 to make sure the transplanted cells are not damaged or deformed (could result in prolonged low counts). Given a patients compromised immunity following stem cell transplant, Kancho's doctor states he will not be able to return to teaching until this time next year. The risk for infection is too high given his low counts in addition to the fact that all his childhood vaccines were erased with the transplant. We celebrated Kylee's graduation from preschool on 6/4/10 and we are excited about her starting kindergarten this August.



We look forward to a fun summer full of time with family and friends. We hope you have the same :-)

Thanks again for the continued support and prayers,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Chugging along with recovery :-)

Kancho is two months post transplant now and has been resting to allow his body to recover. He continues to go to the local clinic weekly for blood count checks and growth hormone shots to stimulate white blood cell development. His counts remain low, but he is being monitored regularly to provide early detection of infections, etc. We traveled to see Kancho's mom and sister in Virginia last weekend where Kancho's sister threw a surprise BBQ on 5/8/10 to celebrate his recovery process. Relatives and childhood friends attended and were able to lay eyes on Kancho for the first time since diagnosis in Jan 09. Kancho and his sister Fran were also able to meet up with their half brother Frank which they are re-establishing a relationship with. On mother's day we went out with the family where Grandma beamed with delight showing off her grand kids!

Kancho has his next PET scan on 5/18/10 followed by an appointment with his local oncologist on 5/19/10 to translate the results. We will still be headed to UNC hospitals on 6/3/10 to meet with his bone marrow transplant oncologist to review the scan, discuss prognosis, and schedule the next PET scan cycle. We hope this post finds you healthy and eager for the summer to begin. Thanks again for your continued support and prayers as we will not be freed from this process for quite some time. I will post again in June following the PET scan and UNC hospital appointment.

God Bless,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Been home a month now :-)

We have been home a month now and are settling back into our routines. Kancho has been going to the local cancer clinic several times a week for blood count checks, Kylee has returned to school and I to work. Connecting with friends who we have not seen since before heading to Raleigh has been nice. We were recently able to go to Charleston over Easter to visit family. We stayed with my sister Robyn so Kylee was able to sleep and play with her cousin Lily for several days. Kancho had his first PET scan and doctors appointment at UNC Hospitals following the transplant on 4/8/10. He enjoys seeing the UNC staff, especially our nurse case manager Debbie. We continue to learn from this journey, that we should not place too much weight on each and every appointment, scan or test. I think we inevitably set ourselves and those around us up for disappointment. We had really hoped to hear some "pivotal" news from this PET scan, and in reality it was simply meant to affirm the last course of Kancho's treatment (transplant) was productive. Don't get us wrong, we were very excited to hear the tumor has shrunk, and that the cell activity has decreased! I guess we are still adjusting to the fact that Kancho is not out of the woods for several years with this type of cancer. We keep hearing the words, "you should be cautiously optimistic" based on how Kancho has responded to the past year of treatments. We have to learn how to pace ourselves like running a marathon or we get out of breath easily. Our attitudes remain positive and we look forward to time we have set aside to spend with family and friends this summer. Kancho continues to rest and gain strength with each week that passes. We are not certain when he will be able to return to work, but he is hopeful it will be at the start of next school year. We return to UNC Hospitals for another PET scan and doctor's appointment 6/3/10, where we should gain additional information about how the process will look for the remainder of 2010.

Thanks again to everyone who follows our journey and sends us encouragement and prayers.

Luv

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Finally Heading Home :-)

Kancho has truly earned this t-shirt!

The two week recovery period has gone as well as can be expected, and Kancho has faced all the discomforts like a true champ! We are 99.9% sure we will be heading home tomorrow after Kancho gets his catheter removed. This is one of the things he has been looking most forward to. The catheter has been such a pain to have coming out of his chest where it is hard to disguise even with heavy clothing.
We have met so many wonderful people here and will not forget the positive aspects of this journey for sure! We know we are not fully out of the woods yet, but are soaking up the significant steps toward full remission and cure. I will update the blog again when Kancho's PET scan results are read after Easter.

God Bless,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Calling Chapel Hill home for now :-)

Kancho was discharged this past Sunday as anticipated! Kylee and Kancho enjoyed a long embrace as they have not seen one another in 25 days. We moved into an apartment in Chapel Hill so we can be close by the hospital for check-ups. Kancho had his first check-up today and all looks "as expected". Kancho has lost 25 lbs in the past 24 days so he is trying to regain his appetite and strength over the next two weeks. We are excited to be at the end of the transplant process and are looking forward to getting back to Kannapolis very soon!

Thanks for all the continued thoughts and prayers for Kancho's successful recovery.

Luv,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Discharge Approaching :-)

After a couple stressful weeks post transplant, Kancho is regaining strength! He is taking daily walks around the unit and laughed at the magician that came by patient rooms yesterday. His blood counts are recovering which is confirmation that Engraphment has occurred. This means we have achieved one of the two markers that indicate the transplant was a success. The second will not come until his post-transplant PET scan in May, which we are confident will show remission. The doctors advise us not to throw any BIG parties until Kancho has clear PET scans for the next 2 years as indication of his CURE. Given the nature of his type of cancer, Kancho will need to get quarterly PET scans to watch for relapse indicators.

Kylee and I will be moving from Raleigh into an apartment close to the hospital this weekend in anticipation of Kancho's discharge (could be as early as this Sunday)! He will be required to attend daily clinic appointments here following discharge to make sure his body is strong enough to return home. Once we return home, he will be followed by our NEMC oncologist.

God Bless,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Transplant Complete :-)

Kancho did very well during his two transplant sessions on 2/11 & 2/12. We now wait for the transplanted stem cells to be recognized by Kancho's body resulting in Engraphment. This is one of two things that must take place for the transplant to be a success. It has been especially difficult for Kancho not having physical contact with Kylee, but they have been able to communicate daily via Skype. The next 12 days will be the most trying for Kancho with the likelihood of infection resulting in discomfort. I know he will pull through like a champ!
I am so very proud of him :-)

God Bless,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Admitted for Stem Cell Transplant !!!!!

We have enjoyed our time with Kancho's mom, sister and brother-in-law during our visit home.

Kylee's class threw a going away party for Kancho and Kylee before we left town abruptly on 2/4/10. We received the call that a bed had become available on the transplant unit and Kancho was next up on the wait list to be admitted. He is settled in now (room 4837), but is labeled "isolation protective" as he receives the chemo leading up to his transplant on 2/11/10. I am posting tonight as we watch the Super Bowl together in his room. We have been trying to set up Skye so Kylee and Kancho can see and talk to each other while he is hospitalized.

I will update again as I am able over the next couple weeks. Keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming!

Luv,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Short visit home :-)

Kancho was cleared by his UNC doctor to come home for a week as we await confirmation of his admission date. Being home is surreal! We have not slept in our own beds since November 09. Kylee and I missed our horse Vivian terribly, and have enjoyed the time with her. Kylee's classmates gathered around as she presented a scrapbook she did to show her class about living in Raleigh the past few months. SNOW SNOW SNOW!!!! Kancho is elated with the recent snowfall, using all his available energy sledding in the yard. We will likely return to Raleigh next week to prepare for Kancho's admission for the stem cell transplant procedure. He will remain hospitalized for 30 days, much of which will be in isolation to avoid possible exposure to infection.

Thanks to all that continue to pray for Kancho's successful treatment completion and for our family.

Love,
Ali, Kancho and Kylee

Finally Collecting..........................

After several weeks of waiting to see if Kancho's platelet count could rise to 75, the doctor decided to proceed with the Mozobil injection on 1/12/10 with his platelets at 50. Kancho was administered the Mozobil three nights in a row and collected for 4 hrs the following mornings. We were able to balance the crazy twice a day (8am and 9pm) hospital appointments along with Kylee's horse camp schedule with the help of my sister Robyn who came in town. By Friday, Kancho had collected 3 million stem cells, and the doctor wanted to stop collection efforts since Kancho was collecting less each additional day (means that the Mozobil had done all it can do to prompt stem cell release from the marrow). The Apheresis machines are very complex and quirky so the staff has assigned them nick names over the years. Kancho was hooked up to "Lucy" all three days he collected. The doctors desire collection of 3-5 million to move forward with the transplant, so we hope to hear this week about possible admission dates. Kylee continues to attend a girls horse camp where she is gaining confidence in riding and is able to get some peer socialization too. Kylee and I were able to go to a Team Roping Competition at the Raleigh Fairgrounds this past Sunday. She enjoyed watching the cattle release from the chute before being roped by the team of riders!

Luv,

Ali, Kancho and Kylee

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