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