We're Engrafted!

Magnolia blossom
Spanish Moss

Creepy Muskrat

Our best news came as we were leaving the hospital last Tuesday. "Oh, by the way," our nurse said, "your biopsy shows that you are 100 percent engrafted." At first we weren't sure what it meant because the bone marrow biopsy was ten days before and we thought we would receive a big report when we met with the doctor that morning but he didn't have the report back yet.

Then I said, "Isn't this reason for us to sing and dance?"

"Yes," she replied, "it certainly is. The stem cells in Mr. Dutton's body are 100 percent from his sister."

WOW!!! We were so amazed it happened so quickly. We thought it would be a slow process and eventually her cells would take over. They definitely need to keep growing, but this is a super start. Thank you again, Char.

More good news this week. One blood count they had been watching closely finally leveled off and even went down a little by the end of the week. So, we got three days off from the hospital this weekend and another day during the week. We go back tomorrow for blood work and if everything is stable we will go to the hospital 3 days a week and have 4 off. Yippee!

We decided we weren't going to talk to people in the waiting area about our progress, because their stories scared us. Many have struggled with so many things we haven't had to experience. We are doing so well we don't want to make them feel badly. We have met some lovely people from all over the country and South America. Everyone has an amazing story to tell. One couple goes home after 107 days this Friday. They are so nervous that something may still go wrong. Everytime someone is released all the nurses and aides on the floor come and sing to them. It gives the rest of us lots of hope. Another couple was in an auto accident last week and totalled their car. That poor man already had a broken arm and foot from a fall he had the first day he came to Houston before his transplant. Their daughter is getting married in August in Washington DC. They, too, are worried they will not be home in time. Many have young children they haven't been able to see. So many have sacrificed so much for this opportunity. How grateful we are!

We just keep quietly moving forward. We walk every day and try to stay away from too many people. We have watched lots of movies. I am working a lot on Craig's family geneology, reading and trying to learn how to use my camera. These are more photos from our walks using my telephoto lens. Craig is reading and flying the simulator and doing a little work. Today we had a great treat. Craig's brother-in-law, Myron, came to Houston on business and we had dinner with him at four o'clock (to avoid people). It was so good to see him. Nicole comes on Wednesday for six days. We are so excited, but will miss not seeing Chris.

We didn't get to see Cami this week as she came down with a cold and we don't take any chances. Going down to see her is always a nice break so we are glad she is feeling better.

It is Whitney and Ryan's third anniversary on Tuesday and Craig and I celebrate 37 years on Wednesday. Boy, does time fly, before they know it that three will be thirty. Hope they have as much fun and happiness as we have had.

The fires at Lake Tahoe sound terrible, such a waste. With so little snow this year it must be very dry. Take care everyone and thanks for your updates, we love hearing from you. You are in our prayers and with all the prayers you have offered in our behalf, I know we will continue to have good news to report.

Today is day 40 since Craig's transplant and all is well. He really is amazing (I know I say that a lot)! He is getting stronger and able to drink and eat normally. We are taking 45 minute walks and getting out more and more. There are several blood counts they are still monitoring closely and the results are not yet back on his bone marrow biopsy. That will show how his sister's cells are doing in his body, but the early indicators are good. The results of some test today showed 0 plasma cells which is the cancer indicator. Hoorah!

We had such a fun week. Whitney and Ryan arrived last Wednesday night and we played all week. We had a fun lunch at a place we love in an area called the Rice Bowl (after Rice University). It was the first time Craig had eaten out, so we went at 3 in the afternoon and no one else was in the restaurant. We drove around Houston in a blinding rain storm which is when the downtown pictures were taken. We walked around our favorite park and saw these huge muskrats in the pond. We also saw a turtle on the golf course. It is pretty tropical here. On Saturday Cami came up and we went to a fun dinner at a restaurant called Marks American Cuisine. It is in a renovated Baptist church from the 1920s. It was a great meal and they sat us in an isolated corner for Craig and were extra careful with his meal--no fresh anything. Cami stayed over with us and we played Yatzee until midnight. On Sunday we drove down to Cami's and everyone but Craig went to church and then came back to Cami's townhouse and made spareribs for Father's Day. Whit and Ry were supposed to leave Sunday night, but their flight was delayed for five hours, so they were able to change and leave this morning. I took them to the airport at 5:30. It was so fun to have them here. We just love our kids!

We are tired tonight so I will keep this short. Every day we recognize the miracles that have brought us to this point and gratefully acknowledge the Lord's hand in our lives. We also recognize the amazing support system we have in all of you and gratefully acknowledge that as well. Thank you so much!

Isn't Life Amazing?

I know I say this all the time, but this has been an amazing week. Everyday we are surprised by what happens, and as much as we try we don't seem to be able to predict or anticipate what will be next. Craig had four days of great counts last week and then on Friday they went south. They kept him on the portable infusion unit all week to boost his fluids. On Saturday he had his best day yet, no stomach problems, felt great, drank a ton and on Sunday he had stomach problems, felt weak, had pain in his central venous catheter, and couldn't drink very much.

Today was wonderful. We had to be at the hospital at 6 am for blood work, Craig had a successful bone marrow biopsy, an infusion, his blood pressure was perfect, and his counts were again improving. They checked his catheter and it was fine. They took him off the portable unit and we took a 45 minute walk! It doesn't get much better than that.

Our sweetest day was Sunday. Many of you know, but some may not, that Craig has served as the bishop (a lay minister) of our church ward for the last 7 1/2 years. On Sunday he was released from that service. He says he will treasure the experience for the rest of his life. It was a total commitment and a time when he felt very close to the Lord. He also was able to share in wonderful spiritual experiences with many of our ward members while serving. He will miss being so close to all these families, and being able to work closely with the most remarkable people. Our ward has a wonderful new bishop and we look forward to supporting him when we return to Reno. Chris and Nicole were so nice to speak to the ward in our absence.

On Sunday we went down to spend the day with Cami. It is so nice to get away from the apartment, go to church, and visit with her. The space shuttle launched successfully last week, so it was fun to get the scoop on how that all works. On the day of the launch all those involved gather for lunch. It sounded fun.

We are excited to see Whitney and Ryan on Wednesday when they come for a visit. It will be a boost and a super Father's Day present to be together. We love to hear all their adventures in New York. They are having the experience of a lifetime there.

Nicole sent us pictures of our house and yard today. It makes us homesick for beautiful Reno. We live in such a great area. It is lovely here too, but so flat and quite hot and humid. I guess July and August are going to be a beast. Right now the evenings are still and balmy and we take our walks at about 7 pm. It's too hot during the day, and Craig must stay out of the sun.

We took a few pictures on our walk today. Doesn't Craig look great! Many of them are taken around the golf course where I got beaned. It really is beautiful. The others are the entrance of our apartment.

Thanks for your great prayers and good wishes, keep them coming!

Since I last posted we have had several milestones. We have passed the 25th day since transplant, turned the page on a new month, had our first two day break from the hospital, and took two rides beyond the hospital. The pictures are of our roof sunset viewing and a cute airport community we found on our Saturday ride.

His nurse practioner says Craig is doing very well. Which is reassuring, but they still are trying to get Craig's low blood pressure under control. We thought we had it licked last week, but today it was again quite low. Over the weekend he was given a "pass" and a portable infusion pack which meant no blood work, no hospital for 4 hours a day. We slept in on Saturday, and took a ride east towards New Orleans. We drove out about 45 minutes, New Orleans is about 6 hours away. We were able to travel down to Cami's on Sunday. I went to church with her and Craig slept in her guest bedroom. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to drink enough to keep his hydration levels up, so as I said earlier his blood pressure dropped again. Today he spent 7 hours in the hospital while they decided how to proceed. They decided to infuse him all night on a portable unit and see if he can drink even more. He's a big guy and needs lots of fluids. The blood pressure, kidney function, and rejection medication all are affected by his dehydration. That is why we like being at the hospital daily. They draw blood each day and can adjust his protocol according to the results. They catch things before they become critical. We hope.

We have had to readjust our thinking a little. Craig seems really pretty good, but they keep telling us we are very early in the whole process and should not get ahead of ourselves. There are still many hurdles to overcome and issues to avoid. Keep him in your prayers.

We had a spectacular lightening storm last night. It was a gorgeous evening and then out of nowhere our apartment started to light up like the 4th of July. It lasted about an hour and then moved on--crazy weather here.

We have heard from many of you this week and we love it. Our life is rather dull and yours all sound pretty exciting. Thanks for sharing them with us. We are living vicariously and it makes us feel a part of the Reno summer activities. We were excited to hear of Laurel's move to London and so sad to hear of Pete's bike crash and broken collarbone. I'm not a great philosopher but it is easy to see that life is a test, sort of a pop quiz on a daily basis. The longer we are here the more grateful we are for all of our friends and family and our many, many blessings. Have a great week!