Message from the family nurse Bob is home! He completed his stem cell transplant and was released from the hospital on December 15th a few days earlier than expected. He tolerated the procedure well and had less side effects than many patients going through the same treatment. He is resting at home and still has to take alot of precautions as his immune system is still rebuilding itself. He's happy to be home for Christmas. He still has radiation treatments to take and it will take quite awhile for him to get back to his energetic self. We are grateful that Bob has this behind him. If you visit please continue to take precautions as Bob is susceptible to illness right now. Phone calls and cards are greatly appreciated too. Bob and this family are truly blessed. Merry Christmas!

Message from the family nurse: Bob is in the LDS hospital and received his stem cell transplant on Wed, Dec 1st. There is much to be grateful about right now as Bob has tolerated the additional chemo treatments and the transplant very well. Wayne and I visited with Bob last Saturday and he was in good spirits and joking about things as usual. Bob even saw the humor in the fact that following the stem cell transplant he will emit a nasty odor from the suspension liquid that stores the stem cells. Tammy said the smell is like nothing she has ever experienced. Lucky for Bob he can't smell it. This should only last for about 3 days as this substance is released from his body. (note: It's a preservative used as a horse linament. Might explain the nasty smell.) Bob had 3 goals listed on the board in his hospital room. 1) Eat well 2) Drink fluids 3) Get out of hospital by Dec 15th. That goal is a little earlier than the Dr. predicted but knowing Bob he'll make that goal. So far he is the model patient. Although very tired, he has not been really ill with other side effects that come with the treatment. Visitation is allowed, but do not visit if you have been ill or recently exposed to illness. Bob's is doing so well and we don't want him to have any setbacks. Tammy has been at the hospital with Bob as much as possible and the kids have visited too. Keep Bob and his family in your prayers and give thanks for how well things are going so far. Bob, WE LOVE YOU and look forward to having you home for Christmas. Leigh Ann Turner, RN, sister in law

After waiting 2 long years, Bob is finally went into the hospital today for his Stem Cell Transplant. He will be there for about a month before he will be able to come home. Please keep him in your prayers. Thank you to our family, friends and our employers. You have all been so wonderful, understanding and kind.

Bob has been continuing with chemo therapy with different types being tried to get him to remission and on to the stem cell transplant. Bob’s patience and positive attitude are amazing through this long drawn out process. Two weeks ago Bob’s doctors finally did a surgical procedure to help them further identify the cancer type and why the original tumor was not responding to chemo. The doctors discovered that Bob’s tumor is a low grade follicular lymphoma which is a slow growing cancer. The doctors think that the cancer started this way and evolved into a fast growing Non-Hodgkins lymphoma. (Fast growing lymphomas respond to chemo quite well but slow growing lymphomas cells can “hide” from the chemo and are less responsive to it.) The good news is that the doctors now know what they are dealing with and feel that they can move forward with the stem cell transplant. Bob is currently undergoing a lot of tests to make sure his body is capable of handling the transplant and he is receiving radiation injections to eradicate any leftover cancer before he goes to the hospital. He will be admitted to the hospital (The old LDS Hospital) Wednesday, November 24th and will be there for approximately one month. Bob will receive more chemo that will completely deplete his immune system before they transfuse the healthy stem cells back in his body. Visitation will be limited for the first week or 10 days. We will keep you posted when visitation will be allowed. Bob’s immune system will be practically non existent . No visitations from children and please avoid visitation if you are ill in any way. Bob will be extremely susceptible to illness and we ask for everyone’s cooperation in helping him through this. No flowers or balloons are allowed. Funny cards with encouraging messages will be greatly appreciated. When Bob returns home he will need to be in as sanitary an environment as possible which means Tammy and her family will be cleaning the house top to bottom with Lysol and Clorox to prepare for Bob to recuperate at home. Bob will be recuping at home for 4-6 weeks. We’ll send more updates as more information becomes available. Thanks to everyone for your love and prayers. Bob, you continue to inspire and amaze all of us and we will continue to pray for your speedy recovery.

Leigh Ann Turner, RN, sister-in -law

Update from the family nurse.

Update from the family nurse.

This week Bob went through two treatments of a different type of chemo. (Bob, you'll have to supply the name of it as I can't remember.) Bob has a week off and then he'll repeat a couple of treatments and then he should be ready to go to the hospital for the stem cell transplant. Bob said the only complaint with the new chemo is the restless leg syndrome while taking the treatment. That would drive any of us nuts. As usual, Bob takes it all in stride and continues to stay as active as he can. He feels encouraged that he can't feel the lump in his arm at all anymore. That is a very good sign that this new drug is strong enough to get him in remission. Please keep Bob in your prayers. In my discussion with Bob last night he told me that you have two choices when faced with cancer and his choice is to live his life. Thank you Bob. Your words inspire me and your attitude and sense of humor make us all strong. We love you.

Best regards,

Leigh Ann

Hi everyone, it's been awhile since I've entered anything, sorry for the delay. As you have always read from the previous post from Leigh-Ann, we've had a little set back. I meet with my doctor today to find out what the next plan of attack will be. They have said that possibly one or two more rounds of RICE chemo, so I will know more this afternoon.
I am feeling ok, even after 4 rounds of RICE and I feel a little better each day but when I start the chemo again it will kick my butt, but we'll get through it just fine, I'm sure.
I appreciate the video Roxy, it really re-energized me and now I am looking forward to what ever they throw my way, and Tam, you and the boys are great and there is no way that I could do this without you. You are my strength and my focus and I love you for that and many other reasons.
And to the rest of you, thank you for your prayers, kind thoughts and support. I really do love you all, so until next time......thinking of you all, Love Bob

Hanging tough

Bob, You are amazing. You have shown us how to live life to the fullest, even when things are not going our way. You are such an example of how to handle tough things and to keep going even when you are tired and worn out. Our children are so very lucky to have you as their father. You are such a great example of courage and strength. Thank you for being such and inspiration to us all. We love you.