Here we go....

We visited Dr. Caton today who is a hemotologist/oncologist at Willamette Valley Cancer Center.

I'm just gonna give ya what we know point blank here.

The doctor is about 70% sure Mark has C.M.M.L. which stands for Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia. There is much lesser chance that he has C.M.L which would be better as it can be cured by medication. There is a chance that it is benign which would indicate Mark has a heavy duty infection somewhere that will get better with time. There are no indicators at this point that he has a BLOOD infection which was one of the possibilities presented last night.

Although we are obviously hoping for the best outcome, we are preparing for the worst. Early results show, however, in the very least, that Mark does have some form of Leukemia.

Today they took more blood and then took a sample of his blood marrow. They have been sent to the lab for further study and we will have a firm diagnosis by Monday afternoon at the very latest.

The feeling I got from the doctor today was that Mark has CMML. Unfortunately the only way to treat this form of leukemia is a complete bloode marrow transplant.

The following is all information for you based on the prediction that CMML is what we are facing. Please remember that there is still that chance that it will not be this bad.

Mark will start chemo therapy next week. He will take treatments every day for 3-5 days in a row each month. So basically once a month he'll be down for a week. The doctor said that this is not the type of chemo that will ravage him...he will be weak and tired, but shouldn't be sick and shouldn't lose his hair. We will keep up with the chemo for as long as it takes to find a donor for the transplant. We will be making a trip up to Seattle, WA to Fred Hutchins cancer hospital to have a transplant evaluation and be put on the waiting list for a donation. This should take 3-6 months per Dr. Caton. Hopefully that will put us in transplant mode in early summer. After the transplant the doctor said recovery could be anywhere from 3-12 months with a slim possibility that Mark would never feel like himself again.

Dr. Caton indictated that Mark will not be able to work. Luckily he has an awesome job with a good FMLA plan and he will also qualify for government disability while undergoing treatment. We don't know much about those things at this point, but I'll be studying up here in the next couple of weeks to see where we sit. Not being able to work was the hardest part for Mark to hear I think today. You all know how proud he is to be able to provide this life we have for his family and the thought of not having that was crushing.

Dr. Caton and his nurse Lisa are absolutely amazing. Every single one of our questions were answered directly and honestly. I'm a true believer in get all the facts, prepare for the worst and then sit back and pray/hope for the best. We are at that point until Monday. I thank you all so much for all your prayer, your thoughts, your messages. I've been truly overwhelmed with all the love and support received everytime I open my email. I now ask for prayer for God's will, but in that to allow for the least amount of pain, suffering and unknowing as we face this. Pray for the babies to be able to understand in their own way what is happening as they will be without us for a while when the transplant takes place. I thank God in Heaven that I will be able to stay with my shoudlabeensister when we go up to Seattle and have that daily support.

We are blessed indeed. We know this. This is our path and we will face it head on. We will fight. Mark is strong and he's a fighter. With his wife and his family at his side I am 100% positive he will beat this and live to a ripe old onery age!

Thank you all so much. We love you. I will keep you posted with definite diagnosis no later than Monday.