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.

No, he really doesn’t have the flu, but today at the clinic, the doctor reiterated that the “flu feeling” is going to last six months to a year. When was the last time Dave had the flu? Well, neither one of us can recall the last time he was really sick, except for the two times that he had cancer. In fact, he is probably the healthiest person I know.

Today, his counts were as expected. While the white blood count expectedly dipped a notch, the hemoglobin headed north and the platelets rose slightly. Is the Karmanos contingent worried? No. Is Dave on track? Yes. Is he still doing better than the average person after a bone marrow transplant? Absolutely.

The doctor also suggested that if his counts hold through Thursday, and we have no issues, going home and recuperating there would be the next step. So, here is hoping we can leave the Crowne Plaza in Detroit and are home by the weekend. We hope to watch the Wolverines continue their “revenge tour” on Saturday with a win against Penn State. Additionally, we hope to sit by the water and have a quiet cup of coffee on Sunday.

For those of you who have stood near home plate waiting for a teammate to cross the plate -and then celebrate with high fives, pats on the back and raised fists – this one’s for you. If you have not had that experience, picture yourself at the World Series at Fenway last night. With the Red Sox holding a tenuous 5-4 lead, Eduardo Nunez delivers a three-run bomb over the green monster to help Boston seal Game 1 of the World Series. High fives, pats on the back and two fists raised await Nunez as he crosses the plate. What a feeling!

The Tag Team spans coast to coast, even touching Hawaii and Alaska. Teammates often support you at your lowest of lows. They are there to celebrate the small victories and the Herculean wins. Today is a prodigious win day. We want to share it with all who proudly have been a part of the Tag Team, #teamtags and the Sontag fan club. The team consists of family, close friends and acquaintances. We thank you all for your love and for your support. Jefferson staff members, former students and players fill the scorecard. Of course, we know that they are standing at home, waiting for Dave to finish his race to the plate.

Add the community of Monroe and to all of the youth to whom Dave has given hitting lessons. And thank you to our faith-filled friends. Thank you to all of the churches that have placed Dave on their prayer lists and continue to pray for him daily. The lineup also includes the community of Saline, which has always welcomed us as one of its own. Saline Area Schools staff, baseball coaches and players have proudly supported #teamtags. Collectively, they have been standing near home plate, pumping their arms and clenching their fists with every small victory. The close friends and the Monroe County Officials Association have made last minute changes to the lineup, making our life easier leading up to and during the BMT. As we sit here in the Crowne Plaza during the seventh-inning stretch, we have you to thank.

We salute the team of doctors and nurses, which has spent countless hours on the mound, pitching medications and delivering strikes to cancer. You recorded out after out to seal this colossal win. You need to be hoisted on all of our shoulders. Between Beaumont Dearborn and Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, there is no general manager who would deny them All-Star status.

Dave touched home plate today thanks to all of you. The Tag Team (that means you) brought him home with all the love and support that has been poured out the last seven months. The last two innings actually constitute the next 100 critical days of avoiding infection and rejection. I will continue to update the blog, though not as frequently. If you wish to receive automatic updates, click the “+follow” at the bottom right-hand corner. Dave will still be on close watch at Karmanos, reporting 2-3 times each week for testing and blood draws. His counts will dictate any additional treatment.

We can’t begin to thank everyone, so please consider this our most humble and gracious thank you. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers, as all of you have been in ours. Finally, please share this with anyone who is on our team.

Go Tag Team!

It’s Friday night football. What a donnybrook against the big arch-rival from across town! The next morning you feel like a Mac truck used you as a tackling dummy. No pain. No gain.

The centerfielder is going back…back…back. He feels the warning track and leaps, crashing into the wall but feels the swoosh of a ball in his glove. He crumples to the ground, not quite sure if it is his back, hips or legs that hurt the most. The batter is retired. No pain. No gain.

Multiply that pain by ten and that is how Dave is feeling right now. The good news is our nurse informed us that this “good pain” is more than they had hoped. His bone marrow is “chugging” and working overtime to regain normal counts. The WBC is now above normal. The platelets are rapidly rising and his hemoglobin is in a safe range to avoid transfusions today. The BMT is proving not only to be successful but incredible.

The Karmanos staff is now taking Dave off anti-fungal and anti-biotics in preparation for releasing him to home care. They have discontinued steroids and many other medications that either protect organs or inspire bone marrow to produce efficiently and effectively. His body will need to be a well-honed working machine without much assistance from medications before he can breath some fresh air.

Dave should be crossing home plate sometime this week. Standing up. No slide needed. No pain. No gain.

The day that we have been waiting and praying for has arrived. Dave just slid head first into third and is the dirtiest guy on the field. A big smile is plastered on his face and the third base coach is giving him a high-five. We just received the results and his white blood count (WBC) went from a nonexistent .1 to .5 WBC. This means his body is now producing on its own and is rebuilding his immune system. Running the bases with that gritty two-base mentality is paying dividends. Next goal? Home plate.

Added bonus: U of M beat Michigan State. What a day!

“I hope I’m not disappointed tomorrow,” Dave said.

“Well honey, you can’t rush your counts,” I responded.

“No, not me – Michigan,” he said. “I hope that Michigan wins.”

This was our conversation this afternoon as we were walking the tenth floor. I was assuming that he was focusing on engraftment as he was willing his counts to rise in order to see improvement. It was a relief to know that his focus was to anticipate a big win for Michigan football against the arch-rival Spartans.

The nurses told us that Days 5-10 would be the worst on his body. That has held truer than you can imagine. Counts are very low, requiring platelet and red blood transfusions. The mornings are the most difficult, with pain levels reaching a point that require controlled meds. Because of restless nights, he has finally resorted to resting in the afternoons. That hour of sleep is better than any medicine. We are on Day 9, and this afternoon, Dave was willing to put in a mile walk. It is the first time since the BMT that I have seen some giddy-up in his step, which makes me feel that we are turning the proverbial corner. As Dr. Maggie put it, “You are now rounding second.” I will certainly broadcast when he makes the head-first slide into third.

Happy Wednesday. “Make this day count and know why you are grateful.” Susan just sent me this as a reminder of how far we have come to arrive at this particular point. I’ve started today’s update three times already with little success until now. That may give you an indication of the ups and downs in a single day. While Dave’s counts have bottomed out, we wait for the day when things begin to turn around. This is simply a good lesson in practicing patience, continuing courage and having hope. Happy Wednesday and remember there are so many things for one to be grateful.