Situation Report #16

WE'RE BACCCCKKKKK!

Did ya miss us?  We missed you.  We have started hearing from people, "No news is good news...right?"  Then, when Dave the owner of Mission Hill Creamery stopped by today with three delicious pints of his organic ice cream, to check in, I thought I'd better get people caught up.  Dad does love the ice cream and the thought that if we lay low he might bring more just to check in, did cross our minds.  Alas, that would not be becoming. SO...

SORRRRRY!  WE ARE INDEED STILL HERE.

There is so much going on in the coming months, you will tire of us.   Here is a "prelim" to the show starting at the end of this week.  Yes, this is a drama.  Who are we kidding, it might end up a dramedy.  This family can't help it.  

Dad finished his 6th and final round of KIMO!  It was a punch, but no where near a knock out.  If there is one thing that I have personally gained from this situation.  It's this. 

I used to think CHEMOTHERAPY just looked like this:

He who should not be named

  Come on admit it.  So many of you think the same thing.  Well, I've got news for you.  It can also look like this:
 

Fishin' with Hubba

                               

 

Bench time

Hubba knows bait

Learning to catch grasshoppers

The COMPLETE family photo

Dress up!

Captain of the fryer.

The proud son and General Mom still barking orders.

A Cabin Thanksgiving with neighbors

"I'll sing you a true song of Billy the Kid..."

Moms birthday with all the grand kids

Chocolate and Love the world is whole.

I knew my dad was strong.  Hell, let's get real, he acts like a wolverine that can't find anything but plants and berries to eat; which has served him well these last few months.  The only thing I can think about is dad on the kimo drip for hours at the doctors, eating out of a giant sack.  Candy bars, chips, a burrito, olives, some crudites with dip and all washed down with a pot of coffee and a couple Cokes.  Meanwhile, the patients around him just staring perplexed.

DAD:  "CHIP?"
FELLOW PATIENT:  "Umm, no thanks." 
DAD:  "OLIVE? SNICKERS?"
FELLOW PATIENT:  **blank stare** 

Of course, I walk away for a few hours and come back to dad holding court.  His eyes are twinkling blue.  The air in the room seems lighter than when we walked in hours earlier.  He is smiling from ear to ear and so are others in the room.  They've been Eddied.  Dad don't use up your energy on people you will probably never see again I thought.  How selfish of me, he needs them.  A social animal, nothing like the aforementioned wolverine.  Perhaps I should change my comparative animal?  Nah, a wolverine. Just one that ate a caribou that afternoon.  

Last week dad took every test and poke possible.  This Wednesday they go over the results up at Stanford.  Is dad still a candidate for a STEM CELL TRANSPLANT?  If yes, then he will be hospitalized on Friday morning to get prepped and then zapped with a largest dose of  kimo yet.  Released in time for his 65th birthday on Monday, December 12th.  Then we start asking St. Nick for stem cell production to increase.  

Nerves are high around here.  Does this feel like Voldemort all over again?  That's right.  I just dared say his name.  
         

BRING IT ON!!!

AAR Chemo 4 by Ed

I have really appreciated everyones prayers and faith. Adm Quast even ordered me up a Mass at the mission in Carmel. The meetings at Stanford went well, they have a plan and all I have to do is follow orders and we should get to the far side of this objective. Chemo 5 begins this week.

So what did I learn??

Every once in a while you get a sanity check, and this one came from Major Shannon Gainey, USMC. It reminded me of what is important, and it is never yourself.

Shannon spearheaded the reception plan for all the wounded Marines coming out of Iraq to hospitals in Morone, (sp) Spain and Landstul Germany. It ended up being a precursor to the wounded warrior program. She coordinated donations to the comfort of the wounded, coordinated with families to ensure they had the best information about their Marine, and ensured the Marine Corps was ready to recieve them state side. The results of her effort was outstanding.

Shannon is a reservist. She had left her job as an LA Police Officer to serve during the war in Iraq. She was in Santa Cruz on a 600 mile bike ride in support of wounded veterans coming home from war. She knew I was in trouble and stopped to take care of another wounded warrior. She has been taking care of wounded warriors ever since she started the program in Europe. To her, it is not a sacrifice, but a duty for those that have sacrificed. It reminded me that those lucky enough to be called to duty can reorder their lives so that "honor, courage and commitment" is not a phrase, but a way of life. We should seek tasks and objectives that will call us to duty. My duty right now is to survive for my family and friends, but there are future tasks that need to be done.

So thank you Shannon


Semper Fi

Ed

Situation Report #15

So sorry this update has been a long time coming. You can rest assured that no news is good news. We are all just trying to take a deep breath and enjoy dads remarkable ability to push through this. Dad had a big appointment with the Stanford bone marrow specialist (Dr. Laport) on 9/28. We were waiting on a schedule of events from the nurse before updating everyone. The schedule came today! Its a relief to know whats ahead but has also put crazy butterflys in my stomach for the same reason. So here's the game plan:

Dad will be getting a stem cell transplant of his own stem cells the beginning of January. He is scheduled to be admitted to the hospital on the 5th. We are told that this procedure has a 90% success rate...we'll take it!! Dads new "day one", or birthday as they call it will be January 11th. The aftermath will be the tricky part with the concern of infections. Dad will be in lock down for 6 months until he gets a thumbs up from the doctors. This 6 months will be spent 1 month in the hospital, 2 weeks staying nearby the hospital in a hotel and finally back to Santa Cruz for the duration. The time spent outside of the hospital comes with a binder full of do's and don'ts which would make your head spin. We may just want to get a little Darth Vadar action going just to be on the safe side! I think it would suit dad just fine.


The preparations for the transplant will be starting the middle of November with the Oncologist performing restaging tests. We are hoping for a free Thanksgiving week so the family can go up to the cabin for one last hurrah. The entire month of December starting on the 6th is devoted to getting those stem cells ready for harvesting. He will be in the hospital on the 10th, but out in time to celebrate his 65th birthday on the 12th. Every day of December until those babies are out of there is scheduled with one thing or another. Its going to be a busy month. Looks like the stem cell collection will be a few days before Christmas. Hopefully the collection will only be a couple days which will offer Dad a relaxing Christmas, New Years and welcoming the newest grandchild due on the 23rd (Analicia & Dexter's #2) :-)

As we all know a schedule is a guideline that will most likely need revisions along the way. Especially when there are two months of scheduling! Regardless, it feels good to have a plan to wrap our minds around and get mentally prepared for the challenges ahead.

I hope you all enjoy the upcoming holiday season and count your blessings daily.

Aloha,
Heather

AAR Chemo 3 by Ed

Folks

I am still exceeding expectations when it comes to the anticipated side effects of chemo therapy. This is a good thing. That said, this stuff really tires you out, and if my sentences are not complete, I will blame a phenomena called "chemo brain".

I was able to spend some time at the cabin last weekend. I had some time to spend with my family. It was centered around a box of T-shirts that said "fishing with hubba". I appreciate my children's concern (unsaid) that I may not be able to have this time in the future. Sooooo, lets make memories for my grandchildren and me while I am able. There is a little lake nearby, soooo fishing we went.

What did I learn?

I spent most of my life sharing with Marines small techniques that might save their lives or make them more effective. It was usually something that I had learned from those WW II or Korean Veterans that populated the Corps when I enlisted in the Marine Corps. This sharing was always important because we never knew if they were going to be in combat the next day.

Teaching my grandchildren to fish is a survival skill. As a little guy in Oregon, my cousins Nick and Wink, taught me how to fish. Nick and Wink taught me how to catch grasshoppers for bait on our way to Monger Creek. Well sure enough, on our way to the lake with the grand kids, I noticed that there were grasshoppers in the tall grass. So we had a class on how to catch grasshoppers and how to put them on your hook. In short order Nate (Carabine to me), was catching hoppers like a pro. Ben, 2 1/2 yrs, demonstrated how to bait a hook. Savannah was swing on the end of a rope over the lake. They were demonstrating the kind of self reliance that we wanted our Marines to have in unfamiliar environments.

I was just as proud of them as my Marines. I still have some techniques to teach them, and it is important that I survive in order to do it. So Hubba is going to stick around.

Semper Fi

Ed

Situation Report #14

Hi All...Heather here :-) I feel the need to preface this update with my name so you will all understand why this update will not be filled with pictures, stories and witty comments...just the facts man. I went to the Stanford appointment with dad and mom yesterday, so I have been tasked on this update.

Overall it was good news. The doctor had a shit eating grin on her face when she told us that ALL of dads lymph nodes have shrunk to under a size they would consider abnormal. His spleen has also reduced in size. Basically dad has already beaten the odds in that 30-40% of patients do not respond to Chemo. He is responding and not feeling to bad to boot. The chemo is CHOP-E, the E is another component they have taken from a German study and they are pleased with the outcome. He will not be entering into a clinical trial through Stanford. They have one starting in a month that they would consider him for but the timing is not right. Dr. Advani feels like the plan they have in place is his best option.

Here is the plan of attack:
He will have four more chemo treatments for a total of six. The chemo treatments should be completed by the beginning of November. In the meantime Dad will be meeting with the Bone Marrow transplant doctors. They want to be up and at'em right when the chemo is completed so he can start the transplant. The transplant will be of his own stem cells which is good news. We thought he may need a donor which can be a challenge to find. We will have more info on the transplant after we have that appointment but they did say he will be hospitalized for 7-10 days during the procedure of taking out the bone marrow. The replacement of the stem cells can be an outpatient appointment. That too is good news as we thought he would be hospitalized at Stanford for the entire time.

We are told that without the transplant he has a 33% chance of survival but with the transplant it increases to 66%. We like those odds much better and in fact are the best odds we have heard to date! So dad left the appointment with a smile on his face and hopped in the truck with Mom to spend the next week up at the cabin before his next treatment.

So those are the facts and I'm sure Analicia will come in here and edit something or put in a picture because she won't be able to stand it!! have at it girl.


OK-Picture added by demand of Bonnie. She's the picture person! I couldn't pass up the opportunity to post this great picture of dad from 1976. Thanks Bonnie.

Situation Report #13

We are finally GOING to DISNEY WORLD! 

Does that mouse have a doctorate?

Well, not really.  Dad has his first offical appointment with Stanford Medical tomorrow.  Kind of feels like we are going to Disney World minus the whole happiest place on Earth part.  It might be the smartest place on Earth.   Six in one hand half a dozen in the other, both are awesome.

Dad had a CT Scan yesterday.  The two rounds of Kimo has knocked the cancer down quite a bit.  The reality is this cancer is known to get knocked down and then just comes back with more attitude in 90% of patients.  How ya like them odds?  Hence the "rare aggressive cancer" verbiage.   The reason Stanford has waited for dad to finish a few rounds of Kimo is because:

1.  If you have been following along they were not so sure dad would be "available" for further treatment.  That's when we pulled the rabbit out of our...hats.

2.  Now they will have to start getting creative.  Ideas we have heard are taking healthy stem cells and/or bone marrow while the cancer is down then truly going full big wave surfer Mavericks-style Kimo on dad. Then they put the healthy stuff back into dad to give him the good guys he needs to win.

There are also possible clinical trials.  Hopefully, all this will be discussed tomorrow and I will have a full report with all kinds of cool things.  I promise to wear my "house of the mouse" ears during the report.  I would wear them to Stanford but we don't want them to realize the Lesnowicz family is crazier than hell.  We did however promise our local doctor to act our usual selves because we need to be "accepted" and he thinks our shiny attitudes might win us a seat on the cancer cure tram.  Look alive people, Toot Toot!!

Speaking of shiny attitudes there is a quote I like to live by "Perception Creates Reality".  I've had time to pause, reflect and ask myself what does that really mean and how did I come by living by such a concept.

When I was little we moved from Quantico, VA (my dad had just finished TBS) to Lawton, OK for a few months of artillery training.  We moved into a trailer park packed with young families.  Dad went off to work only to come home a few nights in a row to my sister and I moping around the tiny trailer, "None of the kids want to play with us."  Oklahoma seemed to have a tornado of little kids and we just couldn't get sucked in.  The next night dad arrived home but this time with a BRAND NEW Fisher-Price boat.  That's right, it was still IN the box and it wasn't anyone's birthday.  A rare sight.

He excitedly sat my sister and I down and said, "Okay girls, you are going to go out front with this boat and act like you are having the time of your life."   He walked us out there on that little piece of cement, held up that box and shouted  "OH WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE? WOW".  You could feel the sides of the tornado take pause.  They must of thought the Queen of England had sent us something straight from Buckingham Palace.  I know I was convinced.  My sister and I jumped with glee.  We took that boat out of the box and played with dad.  Man, that was one awesome boat.  It had avocado green sides, diving board and even a captains chair.  When we looked up dad was gone, replaced by a gust or two of that tornado.  One by one the kids came over.  We had our friends and before we knew it we were an accepted part of mother nature's weather patterns.

I imagine now that dad was looking through the small glass window.  Smiling to himself about the fact that he had just won over a pack of 4-7 year old's, no small feat.  He probably turned to mom and asked "What's for dinner Mar, I'm starved."  Mom, I am sure, was thrilled just to have those two mopey kids out of the trailer.

You see, the gift wasn't the little green boat, as I had thought for so many years.  The gift, was the idea that I could win people over, even crowds for that matter, with the right tools and attitude.  If you go in with the right perception you can create reality with it.

So, what came of the little green boat you ask?  Well, she traveled to a dozen duty stations all over the world.  Floated the high seas of more night time baths then can be counted.  Maybe she isn't the exact same boat the Queen had sent but in my eyes she looks as good as the day she arrived from the palace 35 years ago. 

The "Manipulator of the Seas"

My two year old was playing with her today.  He lifted her up and said  "Mommy, a boat."  I paused, knelt down and smiled at her.  I lightly coughed out the sudden lump in my throat "Yes darlin' a boat, just a little green boat." 

   

AAR on Kimo 2 by Ed

Bottom Line: I am feeling way better than I should be, and there are a few in the "Kimo" chain expecting the a cumlative effects to engage. That may be the case, but like a good Marine, I will take what I can get for rest and relaxation, defined as a hot cup of coffee, before the shootin starts.

So, what have I learned during this rd of Kimo??

It's about leadership, I have put a lot of stress on the team and they are doing their best to keep it together. My job is to cooperate. It is REALLY hard to get in the back seat. A wise person once told me that good leadership begins with good followership.

I got doctors at the wheel, Mary running the logistics, Analicia is the CommO, Heather is the Adjutant, and Matt is intelligence. Then I have you all that have faith in me and I cannot disappoint you. So there it is. This is going to be a bit like watching paint dry while the Kimo gets me ready for the main event. The CommO will keep it interesting.

My lesson: When you have assemble a good staff, stand back and let them do what they do best. Reserve guidance for when requested.

Glad you liked the hats.

Semper Fi

Ed

Situation Report #12

 Dad has just finished his second round of Chemo today.  Should I be capitalizing that?  Gives it a life of it's own, let's go with chemo.  Mom caught dad spelling it Kimo on his calendar.  Right, well at least the planktons are up over 400,000!  I am seeing a water theme here.  Planktons are swimming and Kimo is riding da' waves island style. 

KIMO!  Try chance'um bra!!

 He gets the BIG SHOT tomorrow.  When I asked the name of it  "I donno, it's BIG".  After three days in the hospital with Kimo, they don't want to put a port in dad so they do a drip, dad gets the shot on the fourth day which is tomorrow.  The shot will trick his body into thinking it should make more white blood cells right away.  Last time the shot landed dad on his arse.  So, for the next 2 weeks we expect low immunity and some pain.  No nausea just yet but we are talking about a guy that ate roaches in Nam.  Kimo meet my buddy Agent Orange. 

Dad ordered a custom cowboy hat months ago, before he knew of his diagnosis.  It came in the same day a clump of hair fell out. 
My brother told my dad:   
         "Your hair needs to tell cancer I'm not fired, I quit."  
So, mom shaved dads head and he looks pretty darn good in his new cowboy hat. 

"My Wanna Be Hat" - Wanna be at the cabin!

Other available looks are also ones I grew up with:

  


Hey, has anyone seen my "Johnny go to hell" hat.

I still to this day have no idea what that means.

Also, the "I had a team before there were any to choose from west of the Mississippi" hat.

 This one has been explained to me more then a 1,000 times and I am sure I will hear it 1,000 more.  Yes dad, Yogi Berra was the greatest player of all time.



 Notice: 
A few readers are unsure of the language rules of order.  So here they are.

When I was little I remember the first time I over heard someone say "Don't swear like a sailor."  I thought geez lady if you thought that was bad you should hear someone swear like a U.S. Marine.  I had more one liners in my arsenal by the age of 10 then the girl next to me had Barbie dolls.  Of course, I dare not repeat them until I was 18.  Then dad promptly asks, "Where'd you hear that?".  Really?

Some who wander by the blog might be shocked that you can pray and swear in the same paragraph or sentence for that matter.  I don't know much but I'm pretty sure they never lived on a base.  So the rule of this blog is survival.   Those of you that have seen a dragon or two can teach readers something about how we survive.  We laugh, we cry, we believe in each other and we call it like we see it.  Those are our rules, in no particular order.  Oh and my mom will act shocked for about 2 seconds, that's her job.

I will leave you with something The Yogi once said, 

" When you come to a fork in the road....Take it "

Thanks Mr. Berra, we will my friend, we will.

Situation Report #11

Update!  Get your update here!

1. Planktons are WAY up -  273,000....umm stop the prayers.  Dad is now on a blood thinner!  When you guys all jumped in with your positive attitudes I knew the doctors better STAND BACK.  
2. Dad withstood the first round of chemotherapy nicely.
3. The blood clot....well as far as we know it's still there but we would love another scan to see.  Dad has been breathing better.  In my world of rainbows and unicorns it is gone but then when was the last time you saw a horse, while sober, with a horn and wings? 
4. Already his AITL symptoms are down.  Such as the night sweats that kept him up ALL NIGHT.  Enjoy the slumber Daddio

Dad has been resting, sort of.  I guess if you call sitting by the door asking if he can go outside and play every 5 seconds "resting".  Mom of course is guarding the door.  Not so fast there Eddie.

How proud I am of the new generation of bloggers we have created or should I say old generation now blogging? 

Me: "Now click the comments button, toward the bottom, in the middle, go back, right, click the box...."

I jest.  We love it and keep it coming.

After Action Report - by Ed

This has been an initial engagement with AITL, clots, and "plankton". It has taught me a lot. So, if you all don't mind, I would like to share a lesson learned or two.

Forty Four years ago, 1967, I was in Khe Sahn and we were in trouble. A lot of us were wounded, dieing, or dead, and if it had not been for the 26th Marines showing up, we were goners. I walked away from that without a scratch, but death would remain my companion, and I would never fear death again. I was a Marine and sharing the risk with other Marines meant, worst case, you were going to die in good company. The priority was train hard, accomplish the mission, and bring as many Marines back from the clutches of the dragon as you could.

Well, you can imagine ten days ago when I was smelling the dragon, and there were no Marines on my left or right. This was going to be a solo event? I felt alone. Then Fire Team Lesnowicz showed up in force. Then you all showed up on the blog with prayers and the confidence that I was up to the task. It will be your prayers and your faith in my tenacity that will pull me through.

We have a long way to go.

Lesson Learned: I am not alone. As I walked my path in this life I didn't realize I was building my team along the way that would come to my aide. Thank You!

Semper Fi

Ed

Situation Report #10

A new morning with much to report.

Let's start with Mathew making it home from Afghanistan.

Two Marines and A Pink Blankie

Yes, God is good!  We have our brother back from the trenches and dad's stress of not getting a chance to see Mathew has left us behind.  We were worried when Matt told us someone "gave him clothes" in Kyrgyzstan. I thought he might show up in a cool out fit.  No, it just turns out Big Bird was on an international vaca in the "Stans".

Cool Kyrgies

Okay, BIG NEWS....

1. Platelets were UP to 30,000 last night.  
2. The bone marrow biopsy showed they WERE NOT blocked with an insane amount of cancer.  Some but enough for doctors to feel good about marching forward.
3. Since we can't do anything about the blood clot in dads lung the doctors started Chemotherapy anyway.  

They started a drip last night of chemotherapy and dad tolerated it nicely.  He has to stay in the hospital still because of the "fragile state" he is in.

Could of FOOLED me!  Last night I went into his room:

"Hi dad, how are you feeling." (In a sweet whispering voice)
"SNICKERS BAR!  No. 3 snickers bars, a coke and 2 bags of chips!"
"Umm, I donno..."
"Let's go, MOVE, HUBBA HUBBA!  If your MOM didn't take my wallet I'd be down the hall."

So, I'm standing in the hall way.  Fighting with my inner Dietitian.  You know the one I sat through one to many science classes for.  The one that I used to half nelson family members of patients bringing them crap when I worked in the hospitals.  Then my culinary self popped up and the voice of a French teacher I had arose.  "Food is happiness".  Yeah, I bought the goods but not the chips.  The slightest abrasion and dad can bleed to death.  Yeah know, I thought better not.  


As it stands right now dad will definitely be in the hospital until Saturday.  He is coming home hopefully after that but his immunity is so low that he CAN NOT get sick.  So, no breathing your germs all over him.  


As all of us were praying for PLATELETS.  It turns out dad has been praying for PLANKTON.  

"Plankton" of Sponge Bob Square Pants fame.

I'm sure every star of a show needs prayers...Hollywood, it's a killer. Really dad can we focus on the task at hand here.  I keep correcting him but then finally just decided to change his behavior via public humiliation.  Works best with this family anyway.

Your comments keep us going.  I read all of them to dad.  Through tears, laughter and gratefulness.
Adapt, Improvise and Overcome. 
     

Situation Report #9

Let me just start by saying that Stanford doctors, who wrote the book on this rare blood cancer, met this morning and have stated that they are doing something never tried before due to the fact that they have never seen this situation before. They are literally....

Going. Where. No. Man. Has. Gone. Before.

We have A plan which is better then this past weekend which was NO plan

The IVIG has WORKED! If you were praying for platelets, they have arrived. We went from numerous blood transfusions with no movement to going from 4,000 to 12,000.

WELL HELLO THERE BEAUTIFUL! PLEASE STICK AROUND.

Us: "YEAH! 12,000."
Doctor: "That is ridiculously low. I guess it's all relative." **eye roll**
Us: "Hey, we'll take it."

So they DID the bone marrow biopsy this morning. Dad survived it! Stanford and Santa Cruz have the test and should get back to us tomorrow. How much cancer is in the bones? That I should have for you tomorrow and THAT will determine the CHOP (chemotherapy) treatment plan. Finally that last staging piece we needed from Sit Rep #1. WE NEED THOSE PLATELETS TO STAY PUT TO START CHEMO! Of course not to many because of the blood clot in the lungs....right.

Honestly, It just feels good to all of us that we are not just sitting around waiting for nothing. We know that making a move means that trouble may find us. If you know this family then I don't have to tell you we are movers. We would rather charge forward with the best support staff possible knowing we are in harms way then sit back in fear.

No regrets! Just Jump.

That reminds me of when dad went to Army jump school at the ripe ole age of 41, a good 20 years older then the next guy. He was taking the job of Marine Corp liaison to the 18th Airborne Corp. He was injured in the first week. He REFUSED to quit as much as they tried to get him to. Even though he always said "Marine's arn't supposed to jump out of airplanes. We float on the water." So dad it's time to jump one last time. Be ready to PLF your ass off. In my dads words....

YEAHH HOOOOOT EEEEEEEE!

P.S. Mathew is in the air on the final leg from Afghanistan. He left there with no change of clothes. He had already been in his gear 5 days. Some friendly human being GAVE him clothes to change into somewhere in Kyrgyzstan or possibly the stop in Turkey. Thank you whoever you are from us and every person on the flights home.

Situation Report #8

Update from Dr. Yen (Dads oncologist in town who is working with the Stanford doctors): 

They were trying to up the steroid dosage in hopes that his platelet count would increase along with the platelet transfusions. This is not working, his platelets were down to 4,000 last night. Instead of giving him any more platelet transfusions they will be giving him a different type of medicine to try to coax those platelets up!!

IVIG - READ MORE ABOUT IVIG HERE

Apparently this hemoglobin that is derived from over 1,000 donors is given via drip doses for five days and then we will see his response. Dad is scheduled tomorrow for a bone marrow biopsy which he needs to move forward with the cancer treatments. This biopsy can be risky, since his platelets are so low there is a chance of bleeding. The cancer treatments can not be started until we can get those platelets UP!

Everyone keep the prayer going for platelets!!

Situation Report #7

Dad is still in TCU at Dominican Hospital.  No plans to transfer him anywhere.  We are still just waiting for something to happen.  Of course we are also afraid that something will happen.  Low platelets, blood clot in lungs that can't be fixed with them low, rare aggressive blood cancer that might be eating the platelets, can't treat the cancer with the blood clot...you know the drill by now.

I would say the big excitement this morning was dad finding out Mathew is on his way home from Afghanistan.  Normal families tell the sick guy and everyone feels relief.  NO, not this clan.  We KNEW to not tell dad.  Unfortunately, he heard.  So then of course he goes into a panic that Mathew is leaving his men.  Having mom, a nurse and I trying to explain to dad that Mathews replacement was ALREADY there anyway.  He would never leave his men in harms way.  He is basically just taking a fast ride home!  It took a seasoned Catholic priest who was a chaplain during the Apartheid era in South Africa to suddenly appear and talk him down.

"Your son must love you."

"Yeah but you don't leave your men behind.  I'm the first one in and last one out!"

"Right, never leave a buddy behind."

"Yeah, right." 

"Your son was trained well by you it seems.  He refuses to leave you, his buddy, behind." 

Wow, that guy was good!  Every time dad bobbed, he weaved.  It was spiritual boxing at it's best.  He said that in ALL his years as a priest dad is the toughest he'd seen.  Welcome Father to what we like to call DAD.

So, dad is reading the blog.  Of course the red isn't RED enough and the gold isn't GOLD enough.  I'll get right on that Colonel.  **eye roll**  He then insisted that I post a photo since I mentioned in the last post that he looks great for a guy who is fighting for his life.

Not to fast in that blue smock there hot shot!

Well, since my Waiting for Godot reference didn't go over to well....come on people.  Doesn't anyone out there enjoy absurdest French plays of the 20th century.  GEEZ!  Okay Okay so here is another reference to explain what we feel like right now.  Here are dads doctors:

"What'da wanna do?"  "I donno, what'da you wanna do?"

No offense, they are great.  They just can't move on anything until we can get a break somewhere.  Maybe some platelets that want to stick around?   I feel like the little bird in the back.

Please feel free to email me amlesnowicz@yahoo.com if you have any other questions or if I can help you with anything.

Situation Report #6

Dad is still in TCU at Dominican hospital. He looks great considering his blood platelet count is only 8,000 (100,000-140,000 is a normal level). They can't remove the blood clot because of the low platelet levels. They can't move forward with the cancer treatment due to the blood clot. Alas, Fast Eddie sits. The doctors are miffed and dad says "they say I'm rare"...yes, dad we know! So this is where we sit at this moment. I feel like we are Waiting for Godot.

Situation Report #5

I can't sleep.  I was thinking about something that a medical professional said yesterday.
 "Getting your dad out of this will be tricky." 

My knee jerk Lesnowicz response?  
 "Then stand back and watch me pull a rabbit out my ass."

**BONG**

 Yes, I realize this is Lesnowicz survival mode at it's best.

It looks like Mathew just commented on the last Situation Report #4 that they have shipped him home from Afghanistan.  We have the light on for ya little brother.  Who are we kidding we have a freakin' spot light going here.

There was something else that was keeping me awake.

Yesterday as dad and I sat in a waiting room for one hour to long.  Emotionally and physically exhausted dad sat in a wheel chair next to me with a look on his face that said it all.  Mostly, you have GOT to be kidding me.  There was another family in this bright cold room.  A little Hawaiian boy with his mom and sister.  All energy he was bouncing in his chair, swinging his legs and literally holding on to the seat his mom ordered him into.  He accidentally (well maybe) flipped the lights out.  Instantly he was barked into a new chair.  Head low and feet hanging limp from his new prison of a seat he lifted his head slowly and looked at dad.  I glanced over at dad and caught it.  The mischievous smile and wink that instantly said "You're all right kiddo."  The little boy instantly perked back up.  I am sure his mom wondered where the instant re energized moment came from.  A gift I thought.  A gift that dad has given to me a thousand times.  One that can't be bottled or bought.  My heart was re energized too.  This is why people love my dad. 

I will leave you with a new quote that came out of my mouth last night in the middle of a pity party sob fest. 

"I'm in a pickle but I love my jar."

Okay, I'm going to lay back down.  No news is good news at 3am pacific.  Morning needs to get here so we can go see dad.

Situation Report #4

Turns out there are no beds available at Stanford.  Dad will stay in the TCU at Dominican Hospital.  They are trying drugs and monitoring him closely.  That is all they can do at this point due to the low blood platelets.  We have requested that my little brother come home from Afghanistan.  Right now I just hope they will honor the request as quickly as possible.  Heather and I will be going back to the hospital in the morning with prayers that dad is there waiting for our arrival.  

Situation Report #3

Dad is being put into TCU at Dominican Hospital and being transferred to Stanford via ambulance as soon as possible.  The CAT scan that we wanted for Stanford showed a BLOOD CLOT in his lungs.  Because his platelets are so low they are playing a balancing act with the blood.  Now they DON'T want clotting because they would make the clot worse.  Okay, start with the prayers and positive energy at this point.  

Situation Report #2

This morning dad was supposed to meet with the oncologist in Santa Cruz to do some more tests and get ready for Stanford.  Unfortunately we have found out that his platelets are back DOWN TO 10!  Dr. Yen states that he has never seen this before.  Well, welcome to Fast Eddie Yenny.  Nothin' is normal round here.  SO, back in the hospital for dad.  More transfusions and the CAT scan that is needed for that all elusive Stanford visit.  Right now Stanford might as well be Disneyland.  We have on the ears and are ready to be wow'ed!  Bring it on.  After a year of waiting for an answer it is IMPERATIVE that we get in there.

The gate keepers!

Results:
PET Scan- There are 4 levels in this particular cancer.  Dad is level 3 of 4.
Muga- This is the heart test to see if he can undergo chemo.  Still waiting for the results.
CAT Scan- Not yet completed.  Hopefully, today.
Bone Marrow Biopsy- This will tell us where we truly are.  Is it in his bones?  Dr. Yen didn't want to complete it today.  To quote him "They may call me chicken at Stanford but emotionally I feel like you shouldn't have it today."  I can respect that answer.

Very impressed with Dr. Yen of Santa Cruz at this point.  He calls you late at night and early in the morning.  So far he feels like relief even if the answers are not what we truly want to hear. 

Situation Report #1

On Friday  July 15th our dad was FINALLY properly diagnosed with angioimmunoblastic t-cell lymphoma or AITL.  AITL is a rare aggressive blood cancer. 

This is the "staging process".  We need to get:
PET scan
CAT scan
Bone Marrow Biopsy
MUGA:  The MUGA is a heart report that basically will tell us if his ticker is strong enough.  Anyone who knows my dad would give him a yes on that but doctor's want OFFICIAL reports.  The PET scan showed that dad is in stage 3 of 4 stages.  That is a common stage to be in when AITL is detected.  The goal is to move on these other tests and get to the battle!

Dad has his first appointment with Stanford on Monday.  We are all looking forward to meeting the doctors and possible treatments.  If you are going into a battle these are the folks you want in your fox hole that is for sure.  Tomorrow dad has his appointment with oncology in Santa Cruz.  Dr. Yen was mentored by the doctors at Stanford.  Again, another friend in the fight.

On Tuesday dad was admitted to the hospital for low blood platelets. He was at 10,000.  Normal is between 100,000 and 140,000.  30,000 is acceptable....ish.  He had two transfusions and is above 30!  He is out.