Second Week... 2950

What is the number of miles we traveled last week?

Two thousand nine hundred and fifty miles round trip from Denver, CO to Saratoga, CA and back to Denver, CO.

Well, we have returned!

We had a great trip... left Denver about 11:30 am Saturday and returned to Denver about 4:30 pm the following Saturday. What a blast!

For those who do not know, Jody and I decided to take a few days off. She completed her first week (see "First Week") with little or no side effects, so we decided to take a trip. When we started our plans we did not know where we were headed and by Saturday we decided we were going visit Aunt Ruth in Saratoga, California. Due to recent snow storms in the mountains we decided to use the southern route. I plotted the route in my TomTom (also known as my JoJo named after Jody for the female voice she selected) for my favorite Mexican restaurant in Santa Fe; Tomasitas. Tomasitas lived up to my expectations and Jody loved it. From there we headed to Albuquerque for the first night.

The next morning we headed west on I 40, which for those who live in the west know, parallels US 66. And for those old enough to know about route 66 you will recall the eclectic sight seeing stops.

Through petrified wood forest we pressed on. Little did she know I had plotted my JoJo for another restaurant in Bakersfield, CA. We traveled through Gallup, NM and Flagstaff, AZ. Turning south at Kingsmen, AZ we zigged and zagged around Lake Havasu. Stopping only for gas and facilities. The vision of the "Crystal Palace" in my mind. After passing through Barstow, CA I noted we would be arriving in Bakersfield, CA about 7:00. Exiting the highway we arrived in front of THE "Crystal Palace", yes! THE "Buck Owens Crystal Palace"! Racing up to the gate we realize it is closed... Oh No! Closed! The big Buckaroo's Restaurant was closed. We looked at each other and simultaneously exclaimed its Easter!

We decided to call it a night at the Best Western next door to the Crystal Palace". The next day we drove through the Central Valley and crossing the Golden Gate Bridge through San Francisco. We finally arrived at Aunt Ruth's home in Saratoga.

That night we went up to Deb and Tom's home in Los Gatos, CA. For those who do not know Deb, she is Aunt Ruth's daughter. Tom and Deb Rice live in a beautiful home on top of a hill, the home was once owned by the Piper family; of the "Piper Cub" fame. We eat "pot luck" and had a fantastic time.

We spent the next two days with Aunt Ruth, going to dinner with the family and just spending time together.

During our stay we visited the Saratoga "Hakone Garden". It is a beautiful Garden built by Saratoga's sister city in Japan. It is also where the filming of the Memoirs of a Geisha was filmed. http://www.saratoga.ca.us/cityhall/rec/facility_and_park_rentals/parks/hakone_gardens.asphall/rec/facility_and_park_rentals/parks/hakone_gardens.asp Our stay was far too short. On Thursday Morning we left for Sacramento to visit another friend. We arrived in time to enjoy a fantastic lunch with Marilyn and Kent.

Leaving Marilyn and Kent's place around 3:00 we headed for Reno, NV. On the way we crossed the Bonneville Flats, where my memory returned to the movie "The Worlds Fastest Indian" staring Anthony Hopkins. I just had to point the sign out to Jody and as we drove on I told her about the entire movie.

We spent the night in Reno, where Jody proceeded to loose $16.00 in the "penny slots" at the Holiday Inn. After a short stay we drove on to Vernal, UT. The home of the National Dinosaur Park. Vernal, UT is just 4 hours out of Denver and rather than pushing on we decided to stay the night.

How to be a Bone Marrow Donor

We have been asked by a number of friends "How can I be a bone marrow donor?" so I have added the following link. You can click on the link and it will take you to the site. There are things you need to consider... You can do it at your provider or order a kit, you must also be 18 to 60 years old.

Understanding Your Commitment

When you join the Be The Match Registry^®, you are taking the first step to save a life. You are also making a commitment to be ready to take the next step if a patient needs you.

Be sure you understand what to expect when you join the registry so you feel comfortable with your decision.

New name, same registry

Be The Match Registry is the new name for the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) Registry. If you joined the NMDP Registry, either in person or online, you are a member of the Be The Match Registry and do not need to join again. Learn more about Be The Match.

Consider your decision

Discuss your decision with your family or friends when you join the registry. You may need their support if you are ever contacted as a match.

If you match a patient, your commitment to donate is very important, but you have the right to change your mind. However, a late decision to not donate can be life-threatening to a patient. Please think seriously about your commitment before joining the registry.

Get the facts

• FAQs about Joining the Registry — answers to common questions about the cost to join, your commitment and more
• Medical Guidelines — health conditions that may affect your eligibility to join
• Myths & Facts about Bone Marrow Donation — the truth about common misunderstandings
• Steps of Bone Marrow & PBSC Donation — an overview of the donation process

If you still have questions, call us at 1 (800) MARROW-2 (1-800-627-7692) or contact your local donor center.

Stay involved after you join

Doctors search the Be The Match Registry to find donors for their patients. Once you’ve joined, we will contact you if a doctor selects you as a match for a patient in need of a life-saving transplant. You could be a match for a patient soon, many years from now or you may never be called.

In the meantime, here are other ways to stay involved:

Keep your information updated

If you match a patient, we will need to find you quickly. Keeping us updated with your contact information is crucial!

Contact us if:

• Your phone number, name, e-mail or address changes.
• You have major changes to your health.
• You want to be removed from the Be The Match Registry.

Spread the word

Tell your friends how they can join the Be The Match Registry. Get involved. Save a life.


Click here for additional Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) information...
Patients and Families - BMT resources and information

First week

We just completed our first check up with Dr. Faragher after beginning Revlimid (see treatment). Jody is doing great. She seems to not have any adverse side effects to the drug, all though she has begun to put on weight. The weight gain is due to the Prednisone, which is a steroid. I told her she is growing a nice set of biceps and could probably challenge Barry Bonds to a home run hitting contest, she didn't like that.

This reminded me of a picture I want to share with everyone. She may give these guys some competition...

The Revlimid regiment is going to last for three months and depending on the CBC reports, we will know month to month whether there is an indication she is holding her own against the disease. Anytime during the treatment, if a bone marrow donor with a good match should appear (hopefully an umbilical cord) we will stop the Revlimid and begin the "planning for transplant" process.

Her latest CBC report indicated her iron levels were still elevated, as of March 22 her number was 1784 (normal range is 20.0 to 288.0). Her hemoglobin had dropped below the desired levels and we will need to get a transfusion today. The good thing is she has made it without a transfusion for five weeks. So this morning we are off to the hospital for an eight hour visit.

We have a nine day window of opportunity to get out of town. No tests, no doctor visits and nothing that needs to be done. So we are planning a road trip! We hope, depending on weather to drive to Reno, Nevada and on to Saratoga, California for a surprise visit with Aunt Ruth. For those who do not know Aunt Ruth, she is Jody's mom's sister and is 94 years young. She is always on the go and we love to visit with her.