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
3 comments:
dear derrick & mindy,
you are an amazing couple w/ an amazing faith in God! PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW!! can't wait to hear about the Hope Lodge. thanks for keeping all of us updated and letting us know what we can pray for, we will continue to do so!!you are fortunate derrick, not everyone who goes through such a trial like this has such a faithful and selfless 24/7 supporter. but i am sure you know that. i pray that others could have someone in there corner like you have had w/ mindy, your family and friends. keep on fighting, you give hope to others!!
NICE!!!!!!
Derrick, it is so wonderful to hear that you are out of the hospital. God is good! I have been thinking of you and saying a prayer every time. My brother Mel Esch made the announcements at church on July 28th. the first since his stem cell/bone marrow transplant in Feb. He said he wanted to be able to walk up to the podium by himself and he did!! Praise God! We are pulling for you too.
Love and prayers, Linda Gwinn ENB Denver Branch
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