Bucky Update: 4/10/13

Hello family,

I know many of you have been wondering what step we will take next.  Bucky is still deciding which treatment to pursue.  He has been talking with a doctor at UCLA and another one in Mesa, who have a different treatment protocol.

On Thursday, his WBC was at 10.6 and from the biopsy he had 37% blasts.

On Monday, his WBC count was at 4.1 and he had less than 1% blasts.

Doctors had switched one of his drugs, but that would not account for such a drastic reduction in counts.  Never before in my life have I been more sure that God does hear and answer our prayers.

I think Ammon says it best:

Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his ^cmercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel. (Alma 26:16)

Thanks for your prayers, we will keep you updated as things progress.

Love you all,

TJ

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Bucky Update: 4/6/13

Hello family,

I think most of you know, but the results of the biopsy were discouraging.  The leukemia is back and the only plan the doctors at the hospital have is another stem cell transplant using Bucky's other brother as the donor.  However, statistically speaking, the chances of this one working are very low.

So we have been looking around for other treatments that might possibly up the chance.  Now, more than ever, we need your prayers and faith.  Bucky is optimistic.  He knows he can beat this.  I know he can too.  With the Savior's help.

President Uchtdorf said:

"And to all who suffer—to all who feel discouraged, worried, or lonely—I say with love and deep concern for you, never give in.

Never surrender.

Never allow despair to overcome your spirit.

Embrace and rely upon the Hope of Israel, for the love of the Son of God pierces all darkness, softens all sorrow, and gladdens every heart."

And that is what we intend to do.

Love you all.  Thank you for your continued support and prayers.

TJ

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Bucky Update: 4/1/13

Just a little background on this email:

Bucky had had a stuffy nose for two months, so his doctor referred him to an ENT.  They decided that they should do an endoscopy.  So on Tuesday, last week, they went in, took a sample and drained his sinuses.  He had previously been on antibiotics, but should the infection have been fungal, they antibiotic would make it worse.  Turns out it was a bacterial infection, and they have switched his antibiotic.  After the surgery he started getting a bruise under one of his eyes, and I told him to ask the ENT about that...well, apparently, the bacteria had been in there so long that it had started eating away at the bone.  Soooo, if you have a stuffy nose for two months, go see your doctor!

Yesterday his WBC had doubled.  Doctors are unsure if this is the leukemia or a result of last weeks surgery.  So, in order to figure out what is going on, they have rescheduled his biopsy to today.



Hello family,
Bucky saw the ENT last week and had surgery to drain his sinuses. This past week he has been recovering from that.

Today he had an appointment and his white blood cell count doubled from 4000 to 8000. The pathologist is concerned so they are doing his bone marrow biopsy tomorrow instead of next week.

As always we are so grateful for your prayers. Hoping for good news tomorrow (or whenever we receive the results of the biopsy).

Love you all,
TJ

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