It’s a warm and cozy morning inside our home as we look out on all of the activity on the lake. Snow flurries and a thin sheet of ice grace the edges of the lake as ducks, geese and several swans still brave the open water. Even though the skies are gray, there is still such beauty in every day. It is certainly a wonderful Thanksgiving morning.

Last week, Dave’s mom had a back fusion at St. Luke Hospital in Maumee, Ohio, to alleviate pain that had radiated down her left side and all the way to her toes. This has plagued her for over a year, and the surgery could no longer be avoided. As I sat in recovery waiting for her to be taken to her room, I befriended a kind woman. Margaret Ann was patiently waiting for her husband to come out of surgery. We tend to share stories with those who are going through similar situations. It seems to be a form of therapy and support as we naturally console people in need. Margaret Ann told me about numerous surgeries she had experienced in the last few years, and now she was enduring a complicated back surgery with her husband. With very little support from those around her, she remarked how sad it made her that she is always helping others, but no one has stepped up to help her.

I then shared Dave’s challenges with his bone marrow transplant, along with Barb, who will struggle through a grueling rehab. I also added that we are responsible for caring for Grandpa Yoas, who is almost 105. As one would think, Margaret Ann immediately began to console me, and her earnest sympathy felt like we had been friends for years. However, I never felt like my plight was far worse than hers, as she believed it was.  Unlike Maragret Ann, we have had an abundance of support, thousands praying for us and magical blessing from above. Despite the battles, we have felt blessed by so many.

Please accept our heartfelt thanks on this Thanksgiving Day. We are fortunate to have so many family, friends and acquaintances who have supported us in so many ways. Additionally, please pray for those who are less fortunate than all of us.

Just like the wildlife has braved the frigid open water on Hiland Lake, we have been able to confidently brave our open water, too. Happy Thanksgiving. It truly is a special day.

Just as anticipated, we think that Dave is turning the corner with this marathon-like crusade through leukemia. The last three days of progress is partly because he is sleeping better and his appetite is improving. Although his weight is still too low for his frame, the doctor knows that it will start to rise within the 100-day critical phase. When asked when he could drive, Dave was terribly disappointed to hear that most patients are not allowed to drive within the first 100 days following the transplant. Now, of course Dave prodded them to agree to a shorter time period, but it was tabled for later discussion. He is hoping it will be before Christmas.

When we are out in public places, Dave wears a mask to prevent infection and to avoid contracting diseases. His immune system was compromised during the transplant. The immunizations that he received as a child have been drastically altered. Thus, his body – in many ways – has taken on the body of an infant. He will have to begin the entire immunization process once he hits the six-month mark and all of his counts have stabilized. Once he has received all of his immunizations, he will not contract any diseases nor be a carrier of diseases like chickenpox, measles, mumps, rubella and polio.

And so the crusade continues as we hopefully have turned the corner. As trite as it might sound, this battle is really a snail’s pace day-to-day endeavor.

Remember the excitement as a child as you counted the days down until Christmas Day? I would say that is what we are anticipating next week. Christmas Day – just a little early.

On Monday, we ran into a patient who is about 12 days ahead of Dave in the bone marrow transplant process. Honestly, when she was discharged, we both said a prayer that she would make it through this next hurdle. She struggled just to walk down the hospital halls. When we saw her at the Karmanos Clinic two days ago, she had a smile on her face, a spring in her step and a sassy sense of humor. It was just what we needed to see in order to help us get through this rough week. We are now counting down the days until Dave can experience the same physical transformation. Being responsible for over 30 pills each day and a four-hour IV, the side effects are immense.

On a positive note, his counts are holding and he has not needed any transfusions. He has developed thrush in his mouth, though, which is making it difficult to eat and drink anything. If you knew Dave as a high school junior, maybe you can remember a svelte 180-pound running back, dodging even the quickest of opponents. However, today, weighing in at a weak 180 (down 33 pounds), I’m positive that those same opponents would be able to take him down without much effort.

So, we meet with the doctor tomorrow at Karmanos to undergo our bi-weekly lab work and evaluations. We hope that some of these medications are cut back, which should eliminate some side effects. We also hope that this weekend, I will be able to cook some of his favorites and hope he eats well – just like it’s Christmas Day!

Don’t be tricked. The guy behind the mask is an imposter dressed as a doctor. Dave reached his grueling and grinding goal and was fortunate to accompany our grandchildren for Halloween. Dressed as a doctor and masked to prevent infection was the best solution to keep Dave healthy. Between Emilee masquerading as a zombie, Easton donning the the maize and blue or Everett wearing his favorite Mickey Mouse shirt and ears, Dr. Dave was happy to listen to anyone’s heartbeat. Susan joined the fun, dressed as a Beanie Baby, and the group was flanked by two of the neighborhood friends, Jack and Katie. The night was a treat for all, held more meaning than one would imagine and left us with a sense of satisfaction.

The clinical went well today as counts are holding steady enough for us to enjoy the weekend at home. We will need to return bright and early on Monday for scheduled tests and our bi-weekly check-up.