Hello all, last night we had a great turnout at the Lititz Issac's night and I thank all of you who came out to show your support. Tonight should be another great time to socialize and reconvene with people at the Ephrata Issac's. I finished my last day of chemo for this round yesterday and also received some good news from the tests I had done last week. The only place where the doc's "think" there is leukemia is in my arm where I had a few bumps, but now those bumps are gone so I don't know. I found out yesterday that I am scheduled to be in NYC at Memorial Sloan Kettering on June 2, to start the chemo for my transplant which should occur maybe 10 days later. Mindy and I pray everyday that this round of chemo will hold me in remission until I am able to get my transplant.
Announcement: Tuesday May 6th, at 6:30 pm we will be having a prayer chain at my house located at 200 N Maple St. in Ephrata, it will be led by Dave Balinski who is a former co-worker of mine at Crossgates. This idea was inspired after an article Mindy found while reading a Guideposts article. Click Here to View. Anyone who is interested is more than welcome to attend.
Gertrude Hawk Fundraiser Link- pick up some chocolates...
"For with God nothing will be impossible." (Luke 1:37)
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Back at home...
Friday I was admitted to the hospital to begin my next round of chemo. They decided to admit me since there was no room in the day hospital which is where I usually go on an outpatient basis to get treatment. It wasn't bad though, because I had my testicular biopsy on Friday morning, so it was good to lay and rest. After my second dose on Saturday I was allowed to come home. Friday was kinda confusing because we were mot sure if I was going to get chemo or not. Since the preliminary results of my bone marrow, spinal flood, and brain MRI all came back negative for leukemia ( and my testicular biopsy and skin biopsy are currently inconclusive) the doctors felt like I might not have active leukemia. We opted to start the chemo anyway to make sure I can go into my transplant as healthy as I can. On Saturday, we had a really nice visit from Julie Summers. While she was there we all joined in prayer asking that God use the chemo to heal my body. It was very inspirational.
My doctor at Hershey said it looks like in about 5 weeks I could be going to NYC for the transplant. My coordinator at NYC is still searching for a perfect match, but if one isn't found, we will proceed with the 9 out of 10.
Since the chemo has started I have been feeling pretty good, except for some severe headaches and eye pain I have been having which my doctor tells me is probably a spinal headache from the spinal tap they did this past week. There is a small procedure that I will most likely have done next week to correct this.
Today Mindy, my mom, and I went to our church here in Ephrata. It was so good to see people who I haven't seen in awhile and share in fellowship.
In the past few days I have received great response from people saying they would be attending the ISAAC'S nights, so if you plan on going during the peak hours expect delays, but hopefully I will be there to talk with everyone and catch up with you all while you wait.
We can rejoice even in our worst adversities, since we know God's purpose is not to destroy us but to lovingly develop us. 1 Peter 1:3,6
My doctor at Hershey said it looks like in about 5 weeks I could be going to NYC for the transplant. My coordinator at NYC is still searching for a perfect match, but if one isn't found, we will proceed with the 9 out of 10.
Since the chemo has started I have been feeling pretty good, except for some severe headaches and eye pain I have been having which my doctor tells me is probably a spinal headache from the spinal tap they did this past week. There is a small procedure that I will most likely have done next week to correct this.
Today Mindy, my mom, and I went to our church here in Ephrata. It was so good to see people who I haven't seen in awhile and share in fellowship.
In the past few days I have received great response from people saying they would be attending the ISAAC'S nights, so if you plan on going during the peak hours expect delays, but hopefully I will be there to talk with everyone and catch up with you all while you wait.
We can rejoice even in our worst adversities, since we know God's purpose is not to destroy us but to lovingly develop us. 1 Peter 1:3,6
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday.........A Better Day
As disappointing as the news was on Wednesday, that's how much better it was on Thursday. Beginning their day at 4:15am, Derrick and Mindy woke up and headed to Hershey for an MRI scheduled for 5:30. The MRI was done on Derrick's head to determine if there was leukemic masses present and fortunately there wasn't. Next, Derrick was scheduled for a spinal tap. According to Derrick, the doctor who performed the tap was very nice and quite proficient at the procedure.......it was fairly painless. The doctor told Derrick that his spinal fluid was clear and that most likely their wasn't any leukemia present, however, that would need to be confirmed with additional testing of the fluid. After his spinal tap, an opthamologist examined Derrick's eyes to see if the leukemia had invaded them and once again Derrick got good news that it had not. In addition, Derrick was told that the preliminary results of his bone marrow biopsy came back negative for any leukemia cells present, this too, will need to be confirmed by further testing.
This morning Derrick and Mindy headed to Hershey at 6am for a biopsy of his testicles. The biopsy is actual surgery and Derrick will have general anesthesia for the procedure. After the surgery, the plan is that he will be admitted to Hershey to begin his chemotherapy treatments for the leukemia found when they did the biopsy of the lump on his arm. The chemo is scheduled daily for 5 days beginning today. According to his doctor, he should be discharged on Monday after his treatment and can receive his last treatment at home on Tuesday. This could change today after his surgery, so stay tuned. Derrick plans to coerce his doctor into letting him have the treatments in the Day Hospital at Hershey so that he could be at home at night and sleep in his own bed. If he is admitted, he should be able to have visitors this weekend and I'm sure he would welcome them.
Jim and I continue to be amazed by our son and his fiance. They wake each morning (well, sometimes afternoon) with a smile on their faces and ready to tackle whatever the day may bring their way. Everyone has told us how important a positive attitude is and if that alone can bring about a cure, then Derrick is definitely on his way!!!
Thanks again to everyone for their continued support.........your prayers are being felt each and every day.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Relentless
Today I went to Hershey to have a sonogram on my testes which I had some pain in last week. Unfortunatly the results showed I have 2 masses, one in each of my testicles. They are pretty sure they are leukemic but need to biopsy them to be certain. I also had a bone marrow biopsy done today, where they extract your bone marrow out of you back hip area. The results will take about 48 hours. I also found out the results from the biopsy they did on the lumps on my arm, and unfortunately they came back positive for leukemic cells. This means I have what is called Leukemia cutis, where the leukemia comes up through the skin. So needless to say I am no longer in remission. I am having an MRI tomorrow at 5:30am on my head because I have been having some problems with my eyes and your brain is another place where the chemo doesn't reach well, and if they found masses there as well I wouldn't be surprised. I am having the biopsy of my testes on Friday.
The good news is that radiation should kill everything in my testes. Also I am starting a new kind of chemo called MAC either Friday or Saturday. I am also having that spinal tap sometime in the next few days where they insert chemo into my spinal cord. The main goal here is to get me back into a remission and then proceed to have a transplant immediately after my counts recover from the chemo.
I do not know if I will be able to attend the Issac's nights, it will depend on the type of chemo I get and how I react to it. I hate to miss the opportunity to see all of those who have been such a support the past few months but I know you all understand.
I also found out today that the 10/10 donor is not available. So this will give us more time to search and look for a perfect match. Today was a really tough day and I needed some cheering up so Mindy and I stopped at Martins on the way home from Hershey and picked up some steaks, asparagus and stuffed potatoes. That did the trick.
Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you . May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion....May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
-D
The good news is that radiation should kill everything in my testes. Also I am starting a new kind of chemo called MAC either Friday or Saturday. I am also having that spinal tap sometime in the next few days where they insert chemo into my spinal cord. The main goal here is to get me back into a remission and then proceed to have a transplant immediately after my counts recover from the chemo.
I do not know if I will be able to attend the Issac's nights, it will depend on the type of chemo I get and how I react to it. I hate to miss the opportunity to see all of those who have been such a support the past few months but I know you all understand.
I also found out today that the 10/10 donor is not available. So this will give us more time to search and look for a perfect match. Today was a really tough day and I needed some cheering up so Mindy and I stopped at Martins on the way home from Hershey and picked up some steaks, asparagus and stuffed potatoes. That did the trick.
Psalm 20
May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you . May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion....May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
-D
Monday, April 21, 2008
Weekend & Monday
Mindy and I got the opportunity to go to our apt. this weekend because my blood counts finally recovered. We got there late Friday night and just bummed out, had pizza and watched the movie "With Honors". Saturday we hung out with some friends during the day and had some hometown Freeze ice cream. Saturday night we went to Mindy's sister's house and watched the Georges Saint Pierre vs Serra UFC fight. Not much of a contest as GSP dominated the first round and in the second the ref was forced to stop the fight.
Today "Monday" Mindy my Dad and I went to Hershey. I had a CT scan of my chest to check on how my pneumonia is progressing, it is mostly gone. Then we had a consult with Dr. Claxton my attending physician. I had some bumps on my arm that I had biopsied last week and we are still waiting for the results. I have to go to Hershey next Monday to have a spinal tap procedure where they draw out some fluid from my spinal cord and also put some chemo in as well. Now according to Dr. Claxton this is a very simple outpatient procedure, but if you ask me anything involving my spinal cord shouldn't be regarded as simple. My Dad went to the Flyers game tonight only to watch them blow a 2-0 first period lead and give up 4 unanswered. Tomorrow game 7 should be a good one.
For all of you who keep me in your thoughts and prayers, please pray for the 10/10 match to come through, pray that the biopsy for the bumps on my arms comes back negative, and also that I remain in remission with no leukemic cells in my body.
I look forward to seeing all of you who plan on attending the Issac's nights next week at both the Ephrata and Lititz locations. For anyone interested who hasn't yet received the flyer you need to just send me and e-mail and I will get you one. derrickdull@gmail.com
Don't forget to check out all the goodies on the Gertrude Hawk fundraiser website Nick has set up. Click Here
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
John 11:4
This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.
-Derrick
Today "Monday" Mindy my Dad and I went to Hershey. I had a CT scan of my chest to check on how my pneumonia is progressing, it is mostly gone. Then we had a consult with Dr. Claxton my attending physician. I had some bumps on my arm that I had biopsied last week and we are still waiting for the results. I have to go to Hershey next Monday to have a spinal tap procedure where they draw out some fluid from my spinal cord and also put some chemo in as well. Now according to Dr. Claxton this is a very simple outpatient procedure, but if you ask me anything involving my spinal cord shouldn't be regarded as simple. My Dad went to the Flyers game tonight only to watch them blow a 2-0 first period lead and give up 4 unanswered. Tomorrow game 7 should be a good one.
For all of you who keep me in your thoughts and prayers, please pray for the 10/10 match to come through, pray that the biopsy for the bumps on my arms comes back negative, and also that I remain in remission with no leukemic cells in my body.
I look forward to seeing all of you who plan on attending the Issac's nights next week at both the Ephrata and Lititz locations. For anyone interested who hasn't yet received the flyer you need to just send me and e-mail and I will get you one. derrickdull@gmail.com
Don't forget to check out all the goodies on the Gertrude Hawk fundraiser website Nick has set up. Click Here
Joshua 1:9
Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
John 11:4
This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.
-Derrick
Thursday, April 17, 2008
NYC Trip
Today Mindy, my dad, my mom and myself went to NYC to have a consult with a doctor from Memorial Sloan Kettering(one of the top cancer research centers in the world for my type of leukemia) It went great!!!! Dr. Papadopolis was very intelligent and has been doing transplants for 20 years. She informed us of some interesting techniques and procedures they offer at MSKCC. She was very positive. We then took a tour of the transplant floor which was awesome. I will be locked in a room for around 30 days and not permitted to leave. Anyone who enters my room must wear gloves, a mask, and sometimes a gown. Mindy and I will then be living in NYC for 3 months following the transplant. All in all today was a monumental day on my path to having a transplant and being cured.
There may have been some misunderstanding regarding the match I spoke of in my last post. I found out that I may have a potential 10/10 match but nothing has been confirmed yet, we should know within the next 2 weeks.
NEW FUNDRAISER
Today one of my best friends Nick Orfanella set up a fundraiser on my behalf through Gertrude Hawk. 50% of what you spend will be donated to my fund. Click here to link to the website.
You can shop online by choosing some of the options on the left of this page. You must be on this specific website in order to contribute to my fund, if you are on the general Gertrude Hawk website it will be a regular order. Happy shopping and I recommend the Smidgens....ummm....yummy.
Proverbs 3:5-8
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and marrow to your bones.
How fitting....
There may have been some misunderstanding regarding the match I spoke of in my last post. I found out that I may have a potential 10/10 match but nothing has been confirmed yet, we should know within the next 2 weeks.
NEW FUNDRAISER
Today one of my best friends Nick Orfanella set up a fundraiser on my behalf through Gertrude Hawk. 50% of what you spend will be donated to my fund. Click here to link to the website.
You can shop online by choosing some of the options on the left of this page. You must be on this specific website in order to contribute to my fund, if you are on the general Gertrude Hawk website it will be a regular order. Happy shopping and I recommend the Smidgens....ummm....yummy.
Proverbs 3:5-8
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding: in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes: fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and marrow to your bones.
How fitting....
Monday, April 14, 2008
Hershey Day
Today I went up to Hershey to have a chest X-Ray to check my lungs from the pneumonia I had. The doc looked at my x-ray and said everything looks fine, he was more concerned about a few bumps I have on my right forearm. I went to the dermatology doctor and he biopsied it: aka took a chunk out of it, he did however express he was not to0 concerned with the way it looked. I am feeling well and my counts should recover soon so I will be able to have visitors which I'm looking forward to.
I also found out today that I may have a new possible 10 out of 10 bone marrow match, my coordinator found this information out on Friday and is making steps to look into it. This just goes to show that people are added each day to the registry list and anyone is a possible match. Again the website for anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the bone marrow registry is www.marrow.org or Mindy is holding a drive in Lewisburg on Saturday May 17 from 11-3 at the First Presbyterian Church on Market street for all of you in the area. This drive is completely free of charge and requires only a cheek swab.
On Thursday Mindy, Mom, Dad, and myself are going to NY to consult with a doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering. This is one of the best hospitals in the world for treating patients specifically with my disease. So I'm pretty stoked about this and hoping for good news. If everything goes well this may be the hospital I would go to have my transplant done.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
I also found out today that I may have a new possible 10 out of 10 bone marrow match, my coordinator found this information out on Friday and is making steps to look into it. This just goes to show that people are added each day to the registry list and anyone is a possible match. Again the website for anyone who is interested in becoming a member of the bone marrow registry is www.marrow.org or Mindy is holding a drive in Lewisburg on Saturday May 17 from 11-3 at the First Presbyterian Church on Market street for all of you in the area. This drive is completely free of charge and requires only a cheek swab.
On Thursday Mindy, Mom, Dad, and myself are going to NY to consult with a doctor at Memorial Sloan Kettering. This is one of the best hospitals in the world for treating patients specifically with my disease. So I'm pretty stoked about this and hoping for good news. If everything goes well this may be the hospital I would go to have my transplant done.
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Friday, April 11, 2008
ISAAC'S COMMUNITY NIGHT FUNDRAISER
I just wanted to keep you updated on upcoming events to benefit me. A friend of mine, Drew Ricca, along with The Ladies Auxiliary of the Ephrata American Legion, have organized fundraisers at two ISSAC'S locations. 25% of the cost of your meal will go towards my fund. If you are interested please contact me or my parents, because you need to get a form to take with you. You can call me at 738-4435 or email me at derrickdull@gmail.com It can be used for dine in or take-out.
Tuesday April 29th from 5-9
4 Trolley Run Road, Lititz
Behind Pizza Hut on Route 501
Call 625-1181 to place your take-out order
Wednesday April 30th from 5-9
Cloister Shopping Center
120 N. Reading Road, Ephrata
Call 733-7777 to place your take-out order
Tuesday April 29th from 5-9
4 Trolley Run Road, Lititz
Behind Pizza Hut on Route 501
Call 625-1181 to place your take-out order
Wednesday April 30th from 5-9
Cloister Shopping Center
120 N. Reading Road, Ephrata
Call 733-7777 to place your take-out order
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Monday, April 7, 2008
Chemo Kickin' In
My chemo has caused my blood counts to drop in the past week or so. Because of this I had to go to the hospital yesterday to get platelets infused. This is a routine procedure. The chemo kills off the bad cells, but it also kills off the good ones too. Other than that, I have been feeling pretty good except for being confined to the house without visitors. I feel really blessed that my body is responding so well. The only bad news is that I am a little depressed that the Tarheels lost in the final four. I guess there is always next year! Mindy and I are back to high school summer schedule where we stay up real late, and sleep in really late. Surprisingly, when you not required to get up it's really easy to get into this pattern. I have my next appointment with my doctor later this month to decide what is the next course of treatment is. My appetite is back and I am enjoying delicious meals cooked by family and friends.
Derrick
Derrick
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Speechless...
It is so difficult to express my appreciation and gratitude for everyone's support. My mom came home from the Elizabethtown drive, and I was overwhelmed by the turnout of family, friends, those we haven't seen in awhile, and supporters. Between the drive in Hershey and Elizabethtown, I think many more people on the donor list, will be able to find a life saving match. Just saying thank you doesn't seem enough, but I will say it anyway, " Thank you from the bottom of my heart".
I am still feeling good. I got the news today that I am officially neutropenic, meaning my immune system is depleted. Hopefully, that won't last long, since I started a shot today to help recoup my system. Until then, I will be playing it low key and just hanging around the house. Mindy's aunt sent me a PS2, so I have been occupied by that. When I am not playing PS2 I am busy beating Mindy at board games, if you ask her she will tell you I cheat. We also started reading a book that we got as a gift called The Purpose Driven Life. We read this each night along with a book called What Did I Learn from God Today. Taking the time out to read these books has really made me feel stronger in my faith, and I am really learning a lot. When my immune system builds back up I look forward to talking/ visiting with those of you still in the area.
Please continue your prayers, I can feel them working!!!
Derrick
I am still feeling good. I got the news today that I am officially neutropenic, meaning my immune system is depleted. Hopefully, that won't last long, since I started a shot today to help recoup my system. Until then, I will be playing it low key and just hanging around the house. Mindy's aunt sent me a PS2, so I have been occupied by that. When I am not playing PS2 I am busy beating Mindy at board games, if you ask her she will tell you I cheat. We also started reading a book that we got as a gift called The Purpose Driven Life. We read this each night along with a book called What Did I Learn from God Today. Taking the time out to read these books has really made me feel stronger in my faith, and I am really learning a lot. When my immune system builds back up I look forward to talking/ visiting with those of you still in the area.
Please continue your prayers, I can feel them working!!!
Derrick
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