Update...

Ralph seems to be progressing well. He works about 1/4 of the day! Each day brings more strength and more hair!!!! Again, thank you for your support and prayers!

Vertebroplasty...Monday, August 17th

To relieve the discomfort in Ralph's back, he will have a procedure called Vertebroplasty as an out-patient at Shadyside.

http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=vertebro

What gave me strength...

Beyond the love and support of family, friends, and prayer groups, I frequently remembered and read:

Isaiah 41:10 (New International Version)

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

and...

http://www.footprints-inthe-sand.com/index.php?page=Poem/Poem.php

I also believed that whatever God would bring me to, He'd bring me through. Oddly, the calendar quote for August 12th, the day we got the good news, read:

"God will never, never let us down if we have faith and put our trust in Him." ~ Mother Teresa

I will continue to call upon God for continued patience, strength, courage, understanding, good health, safety, expert guidance, and all that is truly important for myself, my children, Ralph, our family, our friends, and for those who are in the most need, but for now, I am going to thank Him and give Him praise!

Celebrate! Exactly 7 months later!

Tests results indicate that, as of this moment, there is no cancer in Ralph's body! The transplant worked! All levels are NORMAL!!!!!

Good thing...I have work for him to do...hehe!

Fixing his back...

Ralph's discomfort will be relieved on August 17th! He has to get an EKG and some blood work, first. The procedure is out patient and will be done at UPMC, Shadyside. I will post the name of the procedure later. I do not have it, handy, right now.

He seems to be doing well. Every day he accomplishes more of an every day normal routine. I think that when he notices progress, he finds some peace of mind. He is at home less and out and about more! BASEBALL WORLD SERIES IS HERE....you know where he is!

Let's be nervous another week...

MRI is done, and Ralph behaved for the 1.5 hours with medicinal help. At the UPMC Sport's Complex, the machine is wider and shorter...fyi

His blood work will hopefully not be misplaced, and we will know how well the stem cell transplant worked.

He has noticed more range of motiom with his shoulder....no therapy, just time!