GLOBAL & INTERNATIONAL STUDIES NEWS
Hi all,
Today marked the 17th day since David's transplant and the
start of the 5th week hospitalized this second time. I spent the day and
night with him yesterday. We are in a waiting mode currently watching daily
for the white cell counts to begin to rise. Currently they remain essetially
zero but all the doctors and staff say that is to be expected and that
this week is when we should expect to see them rise. Waiting can be so
hard!! The doctors constantly reassure us and David and feel he is doing
remarkably. Patience is truely a virtue. David is doing better on the pain
scene. His mouth is healing slightly but needs the immune system return
to really heal. He is eating only pudding starting this past week. He is
spending several hours a day doing jigsaw puzzles to pass the time of day.
He informs me that once discharged he will never eat pudding again nor
do a jigsaw puzzle for the rest of his life. He is also walking the halls
(masked and gowned) up to a mile a day which impresses the staff. His spirits
remain upbeat though admittedly going a little stir crazy in the hospital.
Whenever he is either down or in pain, he will comment that
"this is only temporary, right dad?" and once affirmed states
OK, I can deal with it. He never gives up. We are truely blessed by his
spirit and the support of those here and each of you. Thanks for your thoughts
and prayers.
Bob and Joan Dodge
dodgej@vcss.k12.ca.us
Hi all,
Just wanted to pass on the latest on David. He has been at
UCLA since last Sunday, 7/11/04. He remains his incredible self continuing
in good spirits with a great can do attitude and an eye to his future.
(He is already making plans for ocen fishing trips next year!) This despite
a week of heavy duty daily total body radiation (now done!) and tomorrow
completing the 4th day of heavy chemo. He has taken it in stride. Tuesday
will be hi
s off day and Wed., 7/21/04 is the big TRANSPLANT DAY!!
From that day and forward is where we need to focus all our
energies and prayers that everything goes well and that the graft "takes".
It will be harvested from the donor that morning and flown to LAX. It will
be couriered to UCLA where it will be processed over a 3-4 hour period
and then given to David late that evening through an intravenous process.
They tell us that the proceeding 2-3 weeks is where we wait and watch for
the cells to take. If all goes well, then he should look for discharge
at 3-4 weeks. I expect the side effects of this weeks treatment will come
after the transplant. They informed us last week (before admission) that
David would probably have to stay in th LA area for a month or two post
discharge waiting for the cells to mature to a functional status. They
said Ventura would be too far. He may become a short term Los Angeleno.
We'll see.
At any rate, I think we are doing about as well as can be
expected, do in no small part to all the love and support we have received
from each of you. Thank you so much!
Please pass this message on wherever you think appropriate.
I'll keep you posted.
Love Bob
Look at me closely.
I'm your child. Your brother.
Your son or friend...
...And I need your help.
I need a Bone Marrow Transplant |
David Dodge
|
My name is David Dodge. You may not recognize me all grown
up. I was six years old when I was diagnosed with leukemia. At seven, I
was the honorarychairman of DAFFODIL DAYS, the American Cancer Society's
Spring Fund Raising Drive. After attending Mound Elementary and Cabrillo
Middle School and graduating from Ventura High School, I am now twenty-two
and a student at UCSB, majoring in Global Studies. Unfortunately, my leukemia
reoccurred, and I need a bone marrow transplant. No one in my family is
a match for me. Please consider being tested to build the donor registry
to help me, and others, and make a difference in our lives!! A simple finger
prick blood test is all the City of Hope needs to be able to identify potential
donors. After a successful transplant, I hope to return to the ski slopes,
tennis courts and, of course, the classroom.
Appointments encouraged, drop-in’s welcome. Contact
United Blood Services at 805-654-8104 or 800-715-3699. There will be no
charge to be placed on the NMDP Registry.
Saturday, May 22, 2004
8:30 am - 1:00 pm
Community Memorial Hospital
8th Floor Auditorium
147 N. Brent St.
(Loma Vista at Brent St.)
Ventura, CA
Tel: 805-652-5011
www.cmhhospital.org
Monetary Donations Welcome
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