Dan’s Victory

Wow! What a day today and an even bigger one tomorrow, My twin brother came up today and we were able to spend some time with him or he with us today. It was a lot of driving for him as he drove from near Vancouver, WA this morning and left here a little after 7 p.m. this even to be back in ministry tomorrow. (He is a pastor of two small congregations!).

In the evening yesterday Apria brought us some of the things we need to do our own hydration tomorrow.  They bring it right to our apartment!  This morning, Dick had another blood draw and shots to get high production of white blood cells - which did go up again from yesterday.  Pray for him as one of the side-effects if old injuries to start hurting.  He has had knee, and shoulder injuries in the past and they have been hurting; but especially his right shoulder (he said feels like it has been separated again)!  Pray for him that that pain goes away quickly as he hasn’t done anything to injure it.

Instead of seeing a nurse in the afternoon and having a nasal test done, I was able to get them done in the morning after Dick had his blood draw and shots. I also was able to take care of the remainder of the medications I need for tomorrow and set up my pill regiment for the rest of the week.

After walking back to The House, as there were a couple hours between our appointments, we walked back again to The Hutch to meet my twin brother, Dave.  I was going to have a picture of the three of us and forgot!  I would have really enjoyed you being able to see the three of us: me with no hair, Dick with no facial hair and a bit longer hair than I usually have, and Dave with a beard and much longer hair.  Sorry, I forgot.  Dave, Dick and I then took one-on-one training of how to use the pump for my hydrating myself instead of having to lay in bed at The Hutch for over four hours.  We did that training, but Dick had to leave a little early to start the process of giving his stem cells. This involved taking blood from one vein in his arm, into a machine that separates the stem cells from the blood and then returning the blood into a vein in the other arm.  After Dave and I finished the “pump” class were able spend the remainder of the time at The Hutch with Dick finishing the stem cell stuff - about 2 hours.

I continue to feel good but obviously Dave had the car so instead of walking back to The House we road - okay, we took the easy way!  After we had dinner, Dave headed home and I flushed my port and we watched part of a DVD and are going to bed, since we have to get up early for me to start hydration.

Tomorrow is pretty much an all day thing with me starting hydration at 6 a.m. and Dick having a blood draw/shots at 7:30 a.m. Then a slew of other things - Dick giving more stem cells, me getting blood draw, full body radiation and the getting the stem cells. This all will probably take until 6 p.m. So pray for us that all goes well and my system will take well his stem cells.

God is good and He will answer your and my prayers, as we have seen over and over.  He said to ask and we will receive.  We are confident this is His will.  So pray boldly — and give God the glory!
Thank you - and may the Holy Spirit guide you through this day!
Dan

Tuesday, April 28,2009
I didn’t have any appointments, but I went with Dick to some of his. He had another blood draw to see primarily that the white blood cell count continued to go up and it did!  I had some questions for the nurse and was able to talk to her as she gave Dick the shots at his second appointment. There were some medications I thought they had forgotten to list on my new sheet that lists what medications I take and how often and what time of day. Before I had a chance to ask questions of the nurse she said she was giving me a new list of medications as there we a couple they hd forgotten to put on the sheet they gave me. The other questions I had she gave me answers to before I could ask them as well. God not only prepared me, but prepared her too!
We then went to the pharmacy to get the medications I needed. While waiting about 45 minutes for them to get the two medications I needed (I think they might have been a little slow?), we both had brought books that we read while waiting. If you haven’t read God Speaks Your Love Language: How to Feel and Reflect God’s Love by Gary Chapman you really should get a copy and read it. It is very helpful in understanding not only yourself, and others, but how God speaks to you and you best speak to him through the love languages.
After our lunch, Dick and I walked downtown a couple blocks further that where Jane and I took the Street Car over the weekend. There is one of the best fly fishing stores there that Dick had wanted to go to sometime to see if they had some “yarn” the color he has been looking for for years. Dick fly fishes and ties his own flies!!! He found exactly what he was looking for there! So it was probably at least a 2 mile walk. He rested when we got back; I took a nap!!!
Please pray that things go well at home - just before dark Jane found our roof was leaking - but into the bathtub at least. Her brother and dad said they would fix it but couldn’t do anything until tomorrow. Thank you Steve and Dad for your help tomorrow!  I called one of my church friends who live close to us and he went over and said he would take care of what he could so if it rained it wouldn’t bring more water into the house. Thank you, Andy. There seems like there is always something, but God can use whatever and use it to His glory as He answers our needs in His own way.
Dick and I had a good relaxing evening after that. Oh, I also was able to talk to my daughter, and two granddaughters and see them on Skype. That was great.
Keep praying - tomorrow and Thursday a real important days for both Dick and me.

God is good all the time and all the time God is good!
Dan

My wife and I had a good night sleep and kind of a busy morning getting everything ready for her to go back home. That - going home - is getting harder for us … for which we may have a solution.  Pray for God to guide us.
By the way, I won our pinochle card game today!  After Jane left - about 2 o’clock (Dick had already arrived at 1p.m. having left LaPine, Oregon at 6 a.m.) we got all of Dick’s stuff into the apartment.  Then, we went to his appointments at The Hutch - walking there - by 3:30.  It was kind of fun for me to have him be the one they were checking everything on and I could sit and watch!!!  So he had a blood drew, and then his his first two shots to get the bone marrow to produce more stem cells.  Pray for him that he will have no - or at least mild - side effects from that. (They say a person can get bone pain, feel like they have the flu, and even have a headache.)  He was also taught how to change the bandage over my Hickman by the nurse.

We then walked home, made a good dinner  - actually heated up a dinner - sent by one of the ladies from our church, The Church at Lakewood. The rest of the evening, we were able to just relax here and get to bed at a good time, getting ready for tomorrow’s appointmetns.

Again - God is faithful - and provides — usually using His people!  Has God quietly told you there is someone who could use your help? Do it — it is wonderful — it feels much better to give than to receive!!
Have a super wonderful day!
Dan Grauer

I didn’t have any appointments today, so got to sleep in.  I woke early and got up briefly and then went back to bed and back to sleep.  That was nice.  We went to Safeway and shopped.  When Jane got here last night, she about filled up the freezer with all the food those at my church (TCAL) had put together and frozen for us.  That was wonderful and for dinner we had one of these meals.  I sure drank a lot today - 137 oz.  Try it sometime!!!!  After lunch having beaten Jane at Cribbage, we went for a walk.  Previously, we had walked by Whole Foods store, but not gone in.  We walked by it again and this time went it.  That is sure a great food store.  We were both impressed.  Not only groceries, but maybe 6 or 7 different counters where you could get fresh meals of all sorts.  Jane was impressed too.  But we didn’t buy anything… maybe next time. During our dinner, we played Phase 10 and I got beat.  If you don’t know the card game it is a good game — well, it would have been better had I won. Kidding of course - I think.

I got a call from Dick and he has to leave south of Bend, Oregon at 6 a.m.  He should get here about 3 p.m and his first shot in preparation to boost his stem cell production is about 4 p.m.  Pray for his safety driving here and his first day tomorrow.

I have had some muscle stiffness in my legs in particular.  Dick thinks it may be possible I am doing too much walking. Pray about that so I do the right thing, and my legs quit their aching.

May our Good Shepherd lead and guide you!
Dan

I was up too late and awoke too early, so I am a bit tired today.  I enjoyed the time with by brother, Randy, and his help.  We had two events at Fred Hutch today - everything signed for the transplant, and everything still needing to be done (at this point) taken care of one of the many very nice nurses at The Hutch.  We walked there this morning, but rode the shuttle back as Randy wanted to get going on his way back home before the traffic was too bad - he has to go over the Narrows.

I have been having a bit of trouble with my shoulders being sore and therefore making it difficult to raise my arms - particularly my right.  I asked the doctors and physical therapist and each think it is a different problem and therefore a different solution - one ease up and another regular exercise.  So far, I have tried both and can’t tell the difference.  The good thing is that God is the healer anyway - but I don’t want to be doing the wrong thing.  I did that for 3 years ago with my back - until I went to a physical therapist who helped like this one here.

Jane will get here this evening, so I get some time again to be with my wife.  I don’t like not being able to be with her, and help her with tasks at home as well.  Scott - thank you for your help on my yard etc.
God richly bless all of you!
Dan

It was a good day even through half the night (the second had I did not get a lot of sleep).  Too much thinking.  I didn’t have to go in to Fred  Hutch until the afternoon, so I kind of just bummed around here for part of the morning and then Randy wanted me to see the locks - where boat traffic moves from Lake Washington into the Sound.  I think he said it was like a 12 or 14 foot drop in water lever from the lake to the salt water of the Sound.  That was interesting.  After lunch I got a little catch-up nap, which really helped.  I had to be at the Hutch at 3:30 for zometa infusion. It took longer than expected, so we got to the doctor appointment a little late, but we were on the 2nd floor and we had to go the 6th and they had notice of why we would be late - so it was okay.  I got the opportunity to be a part of a number of studies, but the paper work I was to sign for this transplant, the doctor said was not accurate as mine was not a blind study and so that had to be corrected and I’ll sign that tomorrow.   I did find out that what they said a couple days ago about a missing chromosome may not be accurate as another tested couldn’t verify it was missing - but then couldn’t verify it was there either. (However that is done.)  I did find out that it is the result of the various steroids I have been taking as part of the chemotherapy over the last couple years is what has caused the developing problems they say are accuring in my hips - at the joints.  I hadn’t really noticed much - at least that I didn’t feel I couldn’t attribute to age.  God heals anyway, so it really doesn’t matter how it has taken place.  I will just trust Him to heal them - whatever needs healing.  So we got back to the apartment after 5:30 so had a late dinner.   I then watched some TV and Lord of the Rings video.  I just about went to bed and remembered I needed to inform you how things went today.  Thank you, Dawn, for getting this on the website.  The doctor said it will be a light weekend and most of next week for me until Thursday’s transplant, but a heavy day for Dick, who is not only being my care giver, but also has to go through some procedures all week to obtain his stem cells for me for Thursday.  Pray for him - he also has to drive from south of Bend, Oregon to here on Sunday and get here before 3 p.m. when he starts the things he has to do.
I thank you for you care, love, and prayers for both Jane and myself, as well as my brothers.
Dan

Well, it wasn’t a “free” day after all!!  I did have a good night sleep and slept a little later than usual!  I received a phone call after we had breakfast - -Fred Hutch wanted me to take a CT Scan (sometimes also called a Cat Scan).  About ten minutes later, I had another call.  I needed to come in for a blood draw - this time it was only 6 viles.  While getting the blood draw, I was told by the one drawing the blood that they had been called and I was wanted on the 6th floor when done to have my  temperature recorded, my blood pressure, my heart rate, my height, and my weight.  The temperature was good, the blood pressure was good, my heart rate was good, my weight is holding at 164 pounds, and my height was just above 5″ 8″.  That was a bit disappointing because it again confirmed that I am shorter than my identical twin brother, Dave.  He is 6 minutes older than me but I was always taller - until we checked our height at my home some time in the past year - and this confirmed he is now, in fact, both older and taller — what a bummer! No wonder everyone seems to be taller than they used to be - not true - I am shorter!!

I had a very good day - feeling good and drinking all I am supposed to.  In order to keep my kidneys from getting worse and get them ready for the transplant, I will be going back to having 1 liter hydration pretty much every day plus I need to drink the 100 ounces a day.  My insurance Aetna is covering this transplant so with them I can do the hydration here at the Peter Gross House.  I am able to be more active that way and not have to sit in a bed for 4 hours every day.  And anytime I need to stop the hydration to go someplace I can.  The pump that is used here at The House can be turned off and turned back on later.  However, my caregivers now have to learn how to hook all of that up, and they also need to learn how to weekly change the bandage over the Hickman.  Pray for them - Jane, Dick, and Randy - as they are a little tense about doing these things right now!!! 

If you don’t know what a Hickman is look at the picture where I have no shirt on and you can see it on the right side of my upper chest. It is the two tubes that go under the skin and over the collarbone and into a major vein in my neck.  It is also called a Central Line, Central Intravenous Line, a Tunneled Catheter.  Here they prefer Hickman because the doctor who invented it was a doctor here at Fred Hutch. If you were wondering what the bump on the left side of my chest is - that is called a port. It is totally under my skin (surgically placed there) and the tube which is smaller than the Hickman, goes under the collarbone and to a major artery and into a major artery that goes directly to my heart. Both are used to take blood out and put fluid in. In Puyallup, Good Samaritan they prefer the port. Here they prefer the Hickman.

Also, today Randy and I walked to Fred Hutch and back for exercise and then later walked to a “furniture” store near here that was talked about on the news on TV.  It turned out to be a very expensive antique store that primarily deals in a lot of furniture etc. from Thailand.  Everything there selling at 50% to 80% off, but was priced at 3 - 5- 10,000 dollars and more!!!  Nice to look at - and let someone else buy!

I am obviously feeling good today!!!
I have already had another thing added for tomorrow. It will be interesting to see if I will get more calls!
God is very good, very loving, and obviously cares about even the little things in our lives!!! Keep praying - I know you will.
Dan

i had another good day.  Exercises from the physical therapist have been helping my back a lot!  I do them every day.  I was able to sleep in and I slept well.  Randy and I walked to Fred Hutch for a blood draw (9 viles!).  We had a bit of a break around lunch so we walked some more - down to Lake Union and then back to Pete Gross House - had lunch - caught the shuttle back to Fred Hutch - we would have been late otherwise.  Then, I met with the PA who was a wrestler!!  Then, we met with the nurse.  These people are part of a different group than I have been working with.  The different groups have color names, so I changed from Aqua to Orange!  This is the team that will be part of the second transplant where my brother, Dick, is the donor.  This was all review stuff for us, pretty much, since we have done this before.

Tomorrow we have no appointments and only one scheduled right now for Thursday and one for Friday.  It is easy this week since we are basically done with all tests and now being introduced to our new team of doctors, nurses, etc. Next week, the pre for the transplant will give me a busy schedule.  The team reassured us that they are going to constantly monitor my kidneys and do what is good for them.  Oh, the PSA test dropped again to 4-5, so now for sure no biopsy!  Thank you for your continued prayer and praying for the upcoming treatment.  Dick (my younger brother) will have next week to obtain his stem cells, and the thngs coming up for before the transplant on the 30th.

Here is an up-date for the last 4 days!! 

Jane was able to be here all week. On Friday, all I had was a blood draw and a pulmonary function (breathing) test.  I had nothing at Fred Hutch on Saturday or Sunday!!  Jane and I had opportunity to see how my strength was improving - we walked from the Pete Gross House (apartments) to the Seattle Center where the Space Needle is.  We walked around there for a while, sat for a while, had lunch, and walked back.  I didn’t check Google Maps to see the best way to walk there, so we took a long way, which was round-trip about 3 miles!!!  I was tired, but a nap took care of that when we got back. We had an enjoyable weekend.

My older brother, Randy, came on Sunday afternoon and will be my caregiver for the coming week.  We walked to the Olympic Sculpture Park today and then to Fred Hutch and back to The Pete Gross House which is about three miles. It felt good and I did good.  It was a great, sunny, warm, wonderful walk and day!

Today was supposed to be a light day with a meeting with the nurse/doctor etc., physical therapy, and a blood draw. When we arrived at Fred Hutch - about 20 minutes early - we were told that we were late because I was suppose to have an EKG done. I kindly told them that it would have been helpful if they would have told us - and I showed them the schedule we were given on Friday that it wasn’t on our schedule!  But a few minutes later I was having the EKG done. At the meeting with the doctor and nurse, we found out a lot of things about me from the tests.  I found out that on Friday when I had a blood draw the PSA test for the prostate which numbers needed to be down - were down. We did another blood test for it again today just to please the doctor from UWMC - but she was happy with the numbers and said we would not be doing the biopsy.  Thank you for praying!!!  God is good.  Thank you, Lord.  We also found out that I have had some hip bone damage from the multiple myeloma which may get worse. (PRAY!) I have also had some chromosome damage - which I really didn’t understand - but it is related in some way to the multiple myeloma but I believe she said it is a sign that the multiple myeloma is becoming a much more aggressive cancer.  She wanted us to know that this next transplant there is danger Graft vs. Host Disease, which can cause a lot of problems, but at the same time it has been shown that a person who does not get this disease at all has less success with the body fighting multiple myeloma — so that is in God’s hands!!!  Also I was told that my kidneys are operating at about 50% level because the multiple myeloma has damaged them.  I have to drink at least 100 ounces of liquid as a result.  Try it sometime - it is a lot of liquid.  The chemo I will have for the second transplant will give my kidneys some more of a challenge the doc said. [Please pray for the kindneys also]

Pray that God’s will is done.  Probably much of what we were told Randy and I have not remembered exactly, but that is the best that we both remember.

I had an easy, feeling good day.   I am a bit tired, but a good nap helped.  I did not have to go into Fred Hutch today, so Jane and I slept in.  We then took the streetcar downtown and walked around some of the shops and the one four-story mall, Pacific Place.  After lunch, we both got a good nap.  I am feeling good and looking forward to seeing the numbers go down by Monday to 4 for the evidence needed that my prostate is okay.

Thank you, Lord, and thank You for answering the prayers of all who are praying for me!

Dan Grauer