To Dave, From Jeana- Merry Christmas

To Father, From Daughter

What makes a Father-Daughter bond so strong?

Is it a biological thread that makes us belong?

Do genetics, chromosomes, and heredity from the start

Determine what ultimately makes up our heart?

If this is true, than look no farther;

I’m simply a mixture of my father and mother

Is that the only answer of what make me, me?

Or could I have fallen farther from the tree?

Wasn’t I shy and afraid of everything new?

Wasn’t I the quiet girl that didn’t have a clue?

No goals and no ideas of what I could be.

But you had a way of seeing way beyond me.

You showed me the world was so much larger.

And that never trying just made things harder.

You watched me fail and make mistake after mistake.

Never letting me fall completely flat on my face

 When I look in the mirror, it’s you that I see

Not so much physically, but spiritually.

We have the same flaws, same restlessness, and dry wit.

There’s an understanding here that some just don’t get.

What does “step” father mean anyway?

Does it mean you are a step lower or step farther away?

Does it define you as having less worth?

Simply because you didn’t witness my birth?

I know without a doubt that biology doesn’t matter

It’s not what makes up a father and daughter

It’s investment in time, in laughter, and pain

It’s more than sharing a person’s last name.

Genetics has nothing to do with what’s real

It’s your imprint on my soul that sealed the deal

Now it’s my time to show all I’ve learned

Now that the tables have finally turned.

I will be here for you, as you’ve been there for me

In sickness and in health or whatever it may be

When you look in my eyes, don’t look any harder

What you will see is a daughter’s love for her father.

Dave Update-December 22, 2010

Dave, Carol, Dexter, & Shelby



Hi family and friends, first I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas.  I hope everyone enjoys their family time together and cherish every moment as we celebrate the birth of Christ.  This is such a special Christmas for my family as we will all be together for the first time in many years.  I want to thank my baby brother and his family for taking this trip from Washington so we can all be together.  I know this is a sacrifice for them and we are out of our minds excited. 

Dave and my Mom went to Standford on December 15 to meet with a specialist about options we have for treatment.  Dave and my mom really liked the doctor, but naturally felt overwhelmed with all the information and choices they will have to make in the near future.  Since the beginning, an agressive approach has been taken to fight Dave's cancer and that seems to be the continued concesus on how to proceed in the future.  The doctor went over the different options, such as clinical trials and stem cell transplantation.  In mid January, Dave will have his bone marrow tested so we can see exactly how well he has responded to the chemotherapy.  After doing much research and talking to others whose family members has multiple myeloma, I have to tell you we have been blessed.  Sometimes its hard to not feel sorry for yourself when your family is fighting something like this, but then you realize some have had it so much harder.   Dave has been blessed with no lesions on his spine which often makes it more difficult for patients to be mobile, he's been lucky to have minimal side effects from the chemo, hasn't lost much hair (tee, hee), and has felt well enough to go to work.  I personally believe this is a gift from God based on all your prayer and also a testament to Dave's spirit and strength.  Dave will start his next round of chemo (5th) with a goal of completing 8.  Dave has made it clear that he plans to review and research his options and look at all the pros and cons before making a determination of what is next.  Stem cell transplantation is a big consideration and a lengthy process.  In Dave's case, if he choses stem cell transplantation he would most likely use his own stem cells.  If he does this he would be have to go to the hospital prior to the transplant and go through a process called "harvesting".  He would then go back at a later time to have the actual transplant.  I will let you know the specifics of if and when this is determined.

If you are interested in learning more about the process of stem cell transplantation, please click on the following link:  http://www.cancercenter.com/video/treatments-technology/stem-cell-transplants/autologous
This is a video from a different institute than Stanford, but offers a easy to understand video. 

Thank you to my mom and grandparents who have shown great love, support, and care for Dave.  I have a lot of respect for my mom after watching her be a partner to Dave.  She's a take-no-prisoners kind of gal and doesn't like to listen to any noinsence of doom and gloom when it comes to this.  She's has strength I didn't know she had.  She's amazing.  I have to say, there is nothing like be taking care of by my mom.  Even as an adult, when I'm sick I still want my mom.  Dave is very lucky. 

Much love and joy to you and yours.  We are hopeful that 2011 will continue to bring our family blessings and an appreciation for life.

December 9, 2010- Dave Update

Happy Holiday to family and friends,  I know it has been awhile since I've sent out an update, but medically there wasn't a lot new to report.  Dave continues his series of chemo treatments.  Currently, he is on his fourth round of eight.  His blood work continues to be normal and he hasn't had any major side effects from the chemo (Praise the Lord).  He's been busy at work, getting in a little golfing here and there, and preparing for Christmas.  We enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving as a family and look forward to a very special Christmas this year.  My brother Ben and his family are coming for Christmas from Washington and we couldn't be more excited.
On Wednesday, December 15, my mom and Dave head to Stanford for a consoltation.  According to Stanford's website, "Our specialists at the Cancer Center not only treat multiple myeloma, but have expertise managing complex cases, and offer the most advanced diagnostic technologies and treatments available today."  Dave's doctor has been in regular communication with Standford since his diognosis and with their expertise will come up with the best plan for us.  I say "us" because Dave is NOT in this fight alone.  My husband always says when things are rough we need to circle the wagon.  I told Dave to consider himself "the wagon".  As I've said in previous blogs, stem cell transplantation is an agressive treatment that "we" will be considering.  But it really is too early to say for sure until Dave consults with Stanford's specialists.   There are a lot of factors that go in to determining if and when stem cell transplantion can occur.  But according to most of my research this is our best chance for prolonged remission.  Stay tuned.  I'll update you after Dave's consultation. 

Recently, there was multiple myeloma patient featured on The Early Show.  This is a wonderful story of hope and also a tribute to the amazing research that is being done to find a cure for multiple myeloma.  Please click on the following link to learn more. 

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/26184891/vp/40470915#40470915

Praise God for the beauty of life, the gift of family, and for foresaking his only son so that we may experience the true essence of unconditional love. 

Jesus Is the Reason

In Bethlehem, God gave to us
The source of Christmas joy;
A star shown on a miracel:
The virgin birth of a boy.

He was born both God and man,
A Savior for us all,
The way to get to our heavenly home,
iIf we just heed His call.

So as we shop and spend and wrap
And enjoy the Christmas season,
Let's keep in mind the sacred truth:
Jesus is the reason.