Dave Update: March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all and a Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law Erika!  I hope everyone gets the opportunity to enjoy some green beer, corned beef and cabbage, or whatever Irish tradition you might have in store.  March is also Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.   If you would like to make a donation on Dave's behalf, please click on the following link https://online.myeloma.org/NetCommunity/SSLPage.aspx?pid=285.  Donations go to finding a cure for multiple myeloma.

As I mentioned in my previous update, mom and Dave are in Stanford.  This morning Dave had a catheter placement which is an in/out procedure whereas the surgically place a catheter in his chest area.  This is where they will harvest the stem cells from.  Dave emailed me not to long ago that all went well!  He met with a pain mamangement specialist and they have recommended increasing his neuropathy medicine (Duh!) and looking at some long term solutions for managing Dave's pain.  Seriously, as much as he'd like, he can not live in the 60's forever (wink, wink).   Tomorrow, Dave will go in for some hard core chemo and will have to stay overnight.  He will then return home sometime Saturday for mobilization.  We are lucky to have wonderful family in the area who have allowed my mom and Dave to stay with them.  Thank you Pam and Happy Belated Birthday to you!  Her birthday was yesterday.

Following his return on Saturday from the chemo, Dave will give himself daily injections of a growth factor.  Dave will have daily blood work done at his local oncologist to determine when he will be ready to head back to Stanford for step 2- the collection process.  Collection doesn't typically occur until 10-14 after chemo.  It is during this two week period that Dave's white cells and platelets may be very low, and he is at significant risk for infection.  He will be required to wear a mask, be on a special diet, etc. 

Feel free to call before visiting during this time and just be sure to stay clear if you have any kind of illness symptoms. 

Dave has been having fun looking a pictures lately, so I thought it would be fun to start a photo gallery.  If you have any photos of Dave from he youth or your time with him, please email them to me at jeanabrks@yahoo.com.   Take a look at these beauties:  Maybe someone can help me with dates:

Dave (far left), Dave Crow (third from left), and Pat (fifth from left)

Clockwise:  Dave, Carol, Steve, Jerri, and Carlene

This is when my mom and Dave were dating (tee, hee)

Dave and Carol (1988-89?) from the look of my mom's hair