Day +38

College football day........whooo hooo. So needless to say I spent most of my day in front of the TV. Notable efforts on the day go to Penn St putting up 66 points, Eastern Carolina for upsetting VT, USC looking great. I am looking forward to Alabama vs Clemson tonight, should be a great game. For anyone who has me on any prayer chains at their church I would ask that you please pray that my white blood cells stabilize and come up on their own for my meeting on Tuesday. Ironically the other day when I said I was yet to try water, Mindy comes back from the grocery store with a fiji water for me, And......I drank it. I couldn't taste anything really but at least it didn't taste bad, and it still quenched my thirst. So i'm totally pumped about that, just being able to drink water will save us some cash too because all I was drinking were flavored drinks which are much more expensive than water. Tonight Mindy is making one of our favorite meals, chicken divine, it consists of chicken, broccolli, corn flakes, and a great sauce in a casserole dish, umm yummy. I saw the Phillies won today against the cubs, I really hope they can sustain for the rest of the season and make the playoffs. I hope this blog doesn't turn into a sports blog, but I can't promise anything. The hope lodge is great, I spend basically all my time in my room, because I'm not allowed out, so I hang out in my room and make trips down the hall to the community kitchen to have my meals, but sometimes I eat in my room because I'm not supposed to be around other people and some people here are sick and I have to stear clear of them. I had peanut butter cap'n crunch for breakfast this morning, I haven't had that cereal in a long time and I forgot how awesome it is. Last night for dinner Mindy got me Lloyds pulled pork, now normally the entire container would have been gone last night, but I wasn't able to taste it too much, which I was totally bummed about, because anyone who knows me knows how much I like pulled pork or anything that comes from that delicious animal. My hands really peeled, I think I mentioned that in a previous blog and now my feet are peeling.

I still am not growning hair anywhere, I'm not sure how long that will take. Thanks to all who are reading my blog and staying up to date with our fight.

God is good and God is great!

Day +37

Nothing real exciting to report here from NYC. Yesterday Mindy and I watched some movies and played a lot of 500 rummy. We are still just praying my white cells come up by our meeting with my doctor on Tuesday. I am eating a little bit more each day or so, last night I had a hungry man frozen dinner, mainly because of the 960 calories and 45g of fat in it. This morning I had 2 packets of strawberry oatmeal, and a bowl of golden grams. I still haven't mustered up the courage to try water yet, I think I will wait until I know i'm going to enjoy it, I really can't wait, it's my favorite thing to drink.

Lord, I trust you. I have said, "You are my God." My life is in your hands.
Psalm 31:14-15

+35

I had my doctors apt. yesterday and everything looked good except my white blood cells which were low again. My doctor isn't sure the reason for this, she said that if she just looked at my bone marrow I should have normal WBC which is anywhere from 5-8. I was at 1.6 yesterday. She isn't going to do anything yet, we are going to wait to see where they are next Tuesday for my next apt. This would be something I would ask everyone to pray about, that my white cells come up and hold at the normal level. I am watching Beverly Hills Cop right now while Mindy is out running some erans. Can't wait to watch some college football this weekend, I'm looking forward to the USC vs Virginia game.

In you, O Lord, I put mmy trust: Let me never be ashaamed; Deliver me in your righteousness.
Psalm 31:1

Day +33

GREAT NEWS TODAY!!!!!! I got a call from my doctor around 3 today letting me know that my cytogenetics came back and I am officially 100% donor. Praise God for this awesome news. I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow afternoon, just my regular Tuesday visit. I will get my blood counts taken and then just have a few minutes with the doc, so she can look me over and talk about some of this news and anything coming up. Nothing else is really new, just really stoked about that news we got today.

When a person's steps follow the Lord, God is pleased with his ways. if he stumbles, he will not fall, because the Lord holds his hand.
Psalm 37:23-24

Day +31 & 32

Saturday my dad and mom came up in the afternoon and hung out and then we all had shepard's pie for dinner, which was great, I still can't taste 100% but I would say I'm well on my way to like 50% I can kinda taste some things here and there. Mindy and I watched Definitely Maybe last night, it was a good movie. Today my mom and dad are coming to visit a little before they make the trip back. We are all still praising God for the great news we got on Friday that there was no sign of the chromosomal abnormality that originally was the cause of my leukemia. Mindy and I are going to have to find something else to occupy our time now that the Olympics are over tonight, that goodness football starts soon, although I don't know if we will be able to watch our Eagles or our Nittny Lions from NYC.

"God gives us the faith to righteousness, no matter how dark and uncertain are the skies of today. We pray for the bifocals of faith-that see the despair and the need of the hour but also see, further on, the patience of our God working out his plan in the world he has made."

Day +30

Today we got some great news at the hospital, we found out that there were no chromosomal abnormalities in my bone marrow which is what causes the leukemia. This is Fantastic news, praise God. My counts were good today my WBC was 4 and my ANC was 3, it will be interesting to see where they are on Tuesday because this past Tuesday I got a neupegin shot to boost my counts. Thank you to everyone who has donated stuff to the hope lodge, we really appreciate it and so does everyone here. I am eating a little more day by day, I feel like my taste buds at the front of my mouth are coming back a little bit so right when I get food in my mouth I can taste it a little bit but as it moves back I loose taste, but hey even that little bit at the front is great. We will find out what percent donor I am hopefully sometime next week so keep praying I am 100% donor.

The Lord will keep you from all evil, he will keep your life.
Psalm 121:7

Day +28

Yesterday I had an apt. with my doc, I had my 30 day bone marrow biopsy. Even though I wasn't at exactly day 30 they still call it that. All went well, we won't know the results of whether or not I'm 100% donor and if any leukemia cells are there for about 10 days. I also got a medicine called IVIG to help boost my immune system while I am still recovering here. I will get IVIG once a month for the first 3 months then on an as needed basis. I had to get an IV put in and it took about 3 hours to infuse. My weight dropped yesterday to our dismay, I really felt like it would go up. I was 188 last Tuesday and yesterday I was 185. The doctor was not concerned with this and knows once I can start tasting stuff and my appetite comes back this should not be a problem. My platelets and red blood cells are coming up on their own which is a good sign I am engrafting. The days are just going by here at the hope lodge, I am looking forward to day 100 when Mindy and I can get back home. Thanks to all who are praying for us and continue to pray that the results of my BMB are good, that I'm 100% donor and no leukemia cells are found.

I lift my head up to the hills, where does my strength come from, my strength comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.

Day +25

Derrick fell asleep before he could post, so I thought I'd give a quick update. He felt pretty good all weekend and is slowly starting to eat more. He's still waiting on being able to taste food. My family came to visit today, which was wonderful because I haven't seen them in so long. Derrick has his first bone marrow biopsy on Tuesday which will determine if there is any leukemia and if he is 100 % donor. This is really important, so please keep this in your thoughts and prayers. Tomorrow, derrick plans on just resting, because Tuesday is going to be a long day since his has the biopsy, a meeting with his doctor, then a four hour infusion of special immune system recovery stuff :) Hope everyone had a great weekend!


Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart's desires.

Psalm 37:4

Day +24

Today was another good day, my grandparents and my mom came up to visit for a little today. Mindy and I just watched Phelps win his 8th gold medal, what an athelete. My skin is still really peeling off which is weird, but normal they say. I am still eating a little and drinking maybe a little more I am slowly trying to eat more. I am drinking a lot of gatorade, it has good calories and I can taste some of the flavors a little bit. I started with just orange but then moved to lemon lime, fruit punch and today I got grape and cool breeze. Tomorrow I'm going to try some frosted flakes for breakfast. Hopefully Therrrreee Ggggrrrreat!!!!

I look up to the mountains: does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from GOD, who made heaven, and earth and mountains.
Psalm 121:1

Day +23

Today I had to go to the hospital for blood tests to check my levels, and they were great, I didn't need to get a shot to boost my cells like I thought I would because they are holding steady on their own. My mom and grandma and grandpa are coming to visit tomorrow which should be nice. Don't really have to much else interesting to say. Pretty much just eat sleep and hang out in our room unless we have an apt. We do venture down to the 6th floor every now and then and play some Wii. We did watch Phelps win his 7th gold medal in one of the best finishes I've ever seen in any sport, he's the man.

Day +21 Part 2

Hello everyone, what would I do with out Mindy? Sometimes at night I just get in bed an don't feel like doing much but trying to sleep. I just got done having a pop tart and two bowls of cinnamon toast crunch for breakfast. Still can't taste too much but certain things I am able to tolerate. I don't really get hungry yet either (can anyone believe that) but I just kinda have to force the food down. But hey, whatever it takes right? Mindy and I are enjoying our stay so far here at the hope lodge, our days seem to go by rather quickly. I can't believe we have only been here 5 days, it seems much longer than that already, what a drastic change from being in the hospital though. I was telling Mindy that sometimes when your in the hospital you just feel like you should be sick. And eating and drinking wise I have come so far since last Saturday when I could barley eat anything and I was only taking little sips of drink. My skin is really dry and I have to lotion up at least twice a day. There are still some real dark spots all over my body from the radiation but they will go away with time.

The Lord is always with you

Day +21

Derrick fell asleep again, but he will post late tomorrow morning. He had a pretty uneventful day today which is always good. I know some people had some questions regarding donations to the Hope Lodge, so I wanted to quickly try to answer some of those. In an earlier post I accidentally had a typo where I said that someone had taken care of all the donations. What I meant to say was someone took care of the dvd player donations. Derrick went back and fixed it, but most of you probably read it by then. I guess I should proofread :) Anyway, the Hope Lodge provides many things for their guests. Some things they can always use are; dishtowels, paper plates,cups, plastic silverware, paper towels, cascade dishwasher soap, throw blankets, condiments such as ketchup, cooking supplies such as pans, and simple things like Pam cooking spray. Basically the only thing that the Hope Lodge doesn't provide for it's guests is food. I know some of you expressed just writing a check to donate. If you wish you can just make it out to the American Cancer Society and mail it to the address we provided. This money will be put to good use as it can be used for some of the families who have difficulty providing food for themselves. Once again, please do not feel obligated. Derrick and I feel truly blessed to have family and friends like all of you. :) We love you.


Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6

Day +20

Today I had a meeting with my doctor. They took blood which they will do routinely to check my counts and various other stuff. My counts were all really good my WBC was low which is normal so I got a shot to boost them up. The doctor was very pleased with everything and was very positive in our meeting which made Mindy and I both feel great. We watched Phelps win his 11th gold medal last night which was awesome. Today we just plan on relaxing and hanging out. Please continue to pray that I am leukemia free and that any residual leukemia is killed off by my new immune system, also that my donors cells engraf sucessfully, and if you want that my taste buds come back but that is really the least of my worries right now. Thanks to all. Mindy and I were doing our daily devotion the other night and we came across this verse which really touched both of us.

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18

Day +19

Derrick feel asleep before he could post tonight, he was preoccupied with the Olympics! He had a really good day all around today. In the morning he was able to eat two small bowls of cereal, then he had a Popsicle, 2 packs of oatmeal, mandarin oranges, and a can of Chef Boyardee. So there is much improvement with his eating. He also has been drinking a lot more. Things still taste really bad, so he is avoiding his favorite foods! we have a pizza date set up for the first day he can start to taste things again. This is the only restaurant like food he can have, but the pizza must come directly out of the oven and into my hands and they can't slice it with their pizza cutter (too many germs). Since our last stay at the Hope Lodge someone donated a Wii, so Derrick and I played both tennis and bowling today, and then he played golf. Derrick had a lot of fun and he was surprisingly energetic. We got moved rooms today, one with a bigger bed, since Derrick didn't fit on the last one because his legs were too long. He has his first follow-up appointment with Dr. Papadapoulous tomorrow, so please pray that everything goes very smoothly. Right now we are just waiting until day +30 for confirmation that the stem cells completely engrafted, and we are waiting on the cells to attack any residual leukemia so that it never comes back. So please agree with us in prayer for that! On a side note Derrick posted yesterday about the wish list for the Hope Lodge, and I just wanted to let everyone know that the lady here told us today that a past visitor to the Lodge has donated all of the DVD players. How wonderful! Both of our families are coming this weekend, so we are excited to see them! Hope everyone has a great week!

In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:3

Day +18

Today was our first full day at the Hope Lodge. I was able to drink a little bit more today, but I still can't taste anything. We watched a lot fo the Olympics today, it's great that they are on tv, because it gives Mindy and I something to do. I have an appointment on tuesday afternoon with my doctor just to get bloodwork and a physical exam. We greatly appreciate all the cards that everyone has been sending us lately, but we feel so blessed that we have everything we need right now ( my health), so we are asking that instead of sending any cards or care packages, you instead help keep the American Cancer Society's Hope Lodge up and running by sending things as simple as dishclothes. We figured that the average card costs the same as a dish cloth. The Hope Lodge has been another blessing for us and they function basically on donations. I have attached the link to the list of things they need as simple as paper plates and throw blankets. http://www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/hopelodge/NY_NewYorkCity/nyc_our_wish_list.asp

You can send any donations to us at:
Derrick Dull
c/o American Cancer Society Hope Lodge
Po Box 2284
New York, NY 10116

Please don't feel obligated at all to do this, but we just want to see others helped in the way that we were.

Having returned from Sunday school, a little boy was playing with his dog in the front yard. A neighbor, a local cynic, walked by and stopped to visit with the boy. He asked him what he had been doing that morning, and the boy told him he had been to Sunday school, where he'd learned a lot about God. The neighbor laughed derisively and challenged the boy. " Well, if you can tell me where God is, I will give you a quarter." The boy responded in a polite and calm voice, " Sir, if you'll tell me where God isn't I will give you a dollar."

Day +17

First day out of the hospital......Awesome. It took a little while today to get out of the hospital, Mindy and I and my Mom and Dad didn't leave MSKCC until around 3. It felt very weird to set foot outside and smell the fresh air and see all the colors of the sky and trees in person once again. This is the first time that I am not connected to anything, other than the 3 days I had right before I was admitted into MSKCC since I was diagnosed in January. I took a shower today in our room and it felt great to be able to spin around and not have any cords attached to me. My mom and dad came up today to help with the move Mindy and I had a little more than we could handle especially since I couldn't carry much at all. We got to the hope lodge dropped our stuff off in our room and headed down to the 6th floor which is the only floor where you can have visitors. The hope lodge got a Wii since the last time we were here. We all had some fun playing some of the sports games. Well needless to say today was a great day and a huge day in my recovery process. Mindy and I just watched Micheal Phelps win his first gold medal, what a cool guy, I hope he breaks the record and wins more gold medals than any one ever. Mindy and I are going to watch some more Olympics and get some shut eye in our new beds.
Thanks to all.

Derrick

Day +16

Today I have my chest catheter removed because guess what.........MINDY AND I ARE GETTING OUT TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!! We both thought this day would never come but it is finally here. I am watching the Olympics opening ceremonies and I must say it was maybe one of the coolest things I've ever seen. Mindy who doesn't get good sleep at night is napping right now and missing it but I think they will replay it all night so she will get to see it. I still can't taste anything and everything tastes like crap but I have to force stuff down. We have been so blessed during our stay here at MSKCC and we praise God and all of you out there who have kept us in your thoughts and prayers. We are by no means out of the woods yet but getting out of the hospital has to be a big step. I spoke with my doctor today who said the first 30 days are key and 100 days is really key and if you make it 18 months that is when you can take a large sigh of relief and know that you are basically cured. That seems like such a long time to Mindy and I but we will refuse to live our lives in fear and we will put our faith in God and in the procedure the stem cell transplant and we know in our hearts that this will cure me for life. I need to give a special thanks to Mindy, I don't know what I would ever have done without such an amazing person to push me and give me so much to fight for. She has been with me every step of the way and has slept on her little couch here in the hospital in her gown, gloves, and a mask, every single night. I truly feel like the luckiest man on the face of this earth to have such an amazing women to spend the rest of my life with. God has truly blessed me.
Tomorrows post will be from the American Cancer Centers Hope Lodge which is where we will be staying for the next 2 months or so here in NCY.
To all who are looking for things to pray for, just pray that I stay infection free and that I don't get any graft vs host disease. Also that my new immune system kills all residual leukemia cells that may have survived the treatments.

I LOVE YOU MINDY!!!!!

Derrick

Day +15

Well today was a pretty uneventful day, which is always a good thing. We got the word that the Hope Lodge has an opening for us, so God willing we will be checking out of here! Tomorrow they are removing his Hickman catheter ( Woo Hoo!) and he is scheduled for discharge sometime Saturday afternoon. They will keep monitoring him until them to make sure things are still going well, and if they are then he can go home. So we won't have official word until Saturday. Derrick's white blood cells dropped some today to 6, which is completely normal. His platelets are up to 80 and is red blood cells are holding their own! He is still having difficulty eating and drinking, but we are told that this will take some time. On day +30 he will have a bone marrow biopsy to confirm that he is officially engrafted and the leukemia is gone. We will continue to keep you posted on his discharge as we get more information. Thank you for all your continued prayers, they definitely worked!

Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name.

Day +14

Hello all, today was another good day. I woke up this morning and had an Ensure, some apple sauce and some juice for breakfast. Just hung around in the room today, watched some king of queens with Mindy and just relaxed. I got taken of my TPN today which is the nutrition that was going into my IV when I wasn't able to eat. So now the pressure is on me to eat so that I can get out of here. The docs this morning talked about me getting out of here and they said possibly by this weekend which would be awesome. Mindy and I both can't wait to get out of here. I can't wait until I can start tasting food and drinks again ahhhh what a day that will be although I don't think it will happen over night I think it will be a gradual change but man I can't wait. Mindy and I talked today just how blessed we have been through this transplant process, we have no one to thank but God and all the wonderful supporting friends and family we have out there.

Thank You,
Derrick
Through Christ Jesus anything is possible

Day +13

Derrick's white blood cells dropped down to 13 today, which is totally normal. Since he has stopped the neupogen shot, his blood cells counts should drop back down to the normal range of 4,000 - 8,000. The doctors cut his pain medicine in half today, and Derrick hopes to be completely off of it tomorrow. Tomorrow his IV nutrition will also be cut in half, as Derrick is starting to eat and drink a little on his own. Today he was able to drink to Ensures and he finished applesauce and a half a can of tomato soup. Discontinuing the IV nutrition and the pain medicine are two bigs steps in getting him ready for discharge. When he is able to drink and eat on his own, he will likely be able to leave. Since they removed three of his antibiotics, they monitored him for 24 hours to make sure he didn't get a fever, and thankfully he did not! I think tomorrow he might ask the doctor when a possible discharge date might be. I am sure he won't be able to tell him for sure, but we kinda just want a proximal time. Thanks for all the cards we received today and the messages on the blog. I know that really motivates Derrick. We will make sure we send everyoen our address at the Hope Lodge as well.

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

Day +12

So today was another good day so far. My WBC was up again today to 15.4 and my platelets came up on there own to 56. I tried to eat a little today for lunch. I had about a half a cup of an icy. Almost a whole little box of Wheaties, and some juice. Mindy's friends Casie and Grehtta were in the city today shopping and stopped by for a little visit and then all 3 of them went out to paint the town red and go out to dinner somewhere. I am watching PTI right now and just relaxing a bit. It is still really frustrating not to be able to taste anything. The one nurse told me today that it is more important that I start drinking than eating because they want to know when they send you home that you won't get dehydrated. I will try to have some soup for dinner tonight and see if I can get a few sips down. My docs even talked about me getting out of here this morning which was awesome.

Day +11

Today was another good day. Derrick's mouth felt a little bit better, but he still has no voice. His blood cell counts were up again today which is a really good sign, so tomorrow they will be stopping three of his antibiotics! For lunch he tried to eat some Italian ice and applesauce, and for dinner he had a couple bites of mashed potatoes and a half a can of soup! His taste buds are still off, which is really frustrating for Derrick because we all know he likes to eat! I think tomorrow he is going to try and eat a little more starting with breakfast. He just has to work his way back little by little. I knew Derrick was feeling better today, because for the first time he turned the TV on himself. You might think this is silly, but for the last three weeks, Derrick didn't want the TV on and he wanted the blinds closed to his room. Today he actually even looked out his window to the view below. He napped a lot again today, because they gave him a new anti -itch medicine for his rash that works really well, except it also makes him sleepy. The doctors continue to be impressed with how well he is doing.

This same God that takes care of me will supply all of your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Now glory be to God our Father forever and ever.
Philippians 4:19-20

Day +10

Derrick's white blood cells shot up to 6 today, so they discontinued his neupogen shot. They will only restart it if his counts drop, which is likely they might drop a little from the discontinuation of the shot. Donna and Jim came to visit which was really nice. Unfortunately, Derrick slept most of the time they were here, but I know they were just really glad that got to visit him! Derrick was pretty tired today and was still plagued by the throat and tongue pain. He is hoping that this will subside soon so he can start eating again. The nurse said he might be so tired today, because he spent most of the day out of bed yesterday. So hopefully tomorrow he will feel better and have more energy! We also had a video chat with our niece and nephew which was really nice, since they always cheer Derrick up! The doctors are happy with the way his white blood cell count responded and they are hoping it continues to increase after it settles from discontinuing the neupogen shot. Derrick and I looked back at the first ever blog that was posted on this site, and we just paused a minute and discussed how far he really has come. So so many ups and downs that it's so hard to believe that he is ten days post transplant. We continue to feel so blessed at how far he has come and how much God has really provided for us during this process. Please keep praying that this miracle will continue, and that he will engraft the new cells and make a full recovery!

Praise the Lord from the Heavens, praise Him in the heights above.
Psalm 148:1

Day +9

So today I woke with one of my doctors giving me some amazing news. WBC 1.0 today ANC or my neutraphils .3 This was the best morning I can remember having for a long long time. The only stinky part is that my tongue and throat both really hurt again today. I still have no voice so no talking to anyone, which can get frustrating at times, like when calling my nurses into my room when I need something or even when ordering food from the room service, but we all know thanks to God I have a very special person right here with me all the time who takes care of everything like that for me.
We are having some technical difficulties with the blog and I can't see the past 2 days post but I can post which is still good. I would ask that anyone who has any comments leave them on Day +7 so I can read them and I will let everyone know when this bug has been worked out.
My tongue is really what is most sore and bothers me the most right now. I have two long sores that run down both sides right were your tongue hits your teeth. I have been rinsing with this cocktail call Sodium Bicarb which has been helping a lot. Hopefully with my counts recovering today I won't have to deal with this inconveniece too much longer. All my docs and nurses say that your GI track and your mouth are the first places your white cells will go as they come back and I should notice a drastic change very soon. Which I'm hoping for. All my cultures that were taken from my fever the other night have come back negative which is another great thing and I haven't run a fever since that day when I ran two pretty close together. Its weird to look at myself in the mirror now because of all the weird little things that the TBI and the Chemo do to your body. I have like dark spots on my sides from the TBI and my hair is all gone, but I do have like 28 facial hairs which have decided to hang around and get real long and disgusting. And just the way your body looks after you drop like 30 pounds, I can only imagine what Jarad must of thought didn't he loose like 160 pounds or something ridiculas like that.
Thanks to all my prayer warriors out there today was definitely a day blessed by God in my life and I will never forget it. The sign of engraftment is when you have 3 consecutive days which ANC of .5 or above. Today I was at .3 so i didn't make my first day, but hopefully tomorrow will start day one of that countdown. I am still really itchy in the groin area from the TBI.

God is my strength, my power, and my source, for everlasting life. ( I made this up on my own)