Bone Marrow Test Results: Encouraging News! -- Jud's CaringBridge Journal Entry Number Two
The results from Jud’s bone marrow test came back this evening and are as good as we could have hoped. Jud and Jan’s daughter, Heather, is a psychiatrist, so she has the medical training to explain today’s findings. Here, in her words, is a picture of where Jud is tonight and what’s ahead for him.
“So we got the good news today that the marrow has been ablated (meaning that the marrow was empty). This was the best possible outcome of the massive chemo my dad has received over the past 2 weeks. The odds were about 1 in 3 that this would happen. The next 2-4 weeks he will be in the hospital waiting for his bone marrow to recover. During that time, he will continue to be kept alive by transfusions of red blood cells and platelets (until his bone marrow recovers and starts producing again), as well as multiple broad spectrum antibiotics (until the bone marrow starts to make healthy white blood cells again). During this time, he remains at risk for infection (because of low white blood cell count, the cells that fight infections) as well as spontaneous bleeding (caused by low platelets). He is also very tired from the anemia (caused by low red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the body). In 2 weeks or so they will do another bone marrow biopsy to see if the healthy marrow has started to produce again, making sure that the healthy cells have re-established themselves as the rulers of the marrow. This whole first stage is called the “induction” phase of the treatment of acute leukemia. It will be followed by the “consolidation phase” in which he will begin bone marrow transplant or another round of chemotherapy without transplant. But there are many weeks to get through before the consolidation might begin.
We are all happy that he has survived these weeks, and that the results of the treatment are excellent so far.”
The road ahead remains daunting, but let’s celebrate and give thanks for today’s hopeful news!
48 Comments
Dearest Jan and Judson, Our prayers have gone up for you daily and ask that He return you¨ to good health and strength≥ We're particularly thankful that your daughter can translate your condition to us as it ˙happens so we can be better prayers for you both.. We're grateful for this bridge( Carebridge) that we can now use. You have our love during this heavy trial. Bob and Betty
Keeping you so close in our hearts and prayers . . ."May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Sending much love to you both!
So glad that things are going as well as can be. Praying for the whole family through this journey. Will be thinking of you all each and every day. Stay positive.
Praying for you throughout this time, Jud and Jan.
In Christ's great mercy,
Agnes
Keeping you in constant prayer knowing He is our Great Physician!! Blessings on you all!
Dear Jud and Jan,
We are all praying for you in the BioLogos office. I am amazed at the grace God gives to those in dark places. Praying that you won't feel the need to 'look' strong but that you'd be lifted up on eagle's wings in this time! And of course, praying for healing.
Kathryn
Grateful for this good news. We pray for God's hand on the doctors and in all of this, especially for peace and continued courage and strength for each day.
Jody and Dick
Jud and Jan,
Thanking our Great God for this encouraging news. Praying you through the storm.
Love,
the Varelas
Praise God for this wonderful news and a big thank you to Heather for translating it all so that we can understand and direct our prayers. I said from the beginning that if anyone could beat this it would be you with God's help and grace. I look forward to the day that I can give you a BIG hug...I love you both to the moon and back!!!
Dear Jud and Jan, We are so encouraged by your news and pray that the next few weeks find you growing stronger each day. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Peace be with you,
Leslie and John
What a helpful and encouraging report. May the God of love and wholeness give you an extra measure of a sense of God's sustaining presence. You and Jan and family are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the good work!!!
Love, Polly Ann and Ken Brown
Jud and Jan,
We are encouraged by this hopeful report. Jud, it was so good to speak with you the other day. You have always been a source of inspiration by your spirit in the difficult times. We are praying for you that your physical strength will be bolstered in the weeks ahead.
With every best wish,
Mark and Arlyne
You and the family continue to be in our daily prayers for strength and healing.
With our best wishes,
Marv and Polly
Praising God for the good news. Dear Jud, Jan and family- Please know you are in our prayers as you progress on this journey.
Dears, what joyous news, and what a helpful explanation by Heather of your situation, Jud. She's a wonderful teacher as well as daughter! Being in isolation is not being alone, is it, for a child of Christ. And the love and prayers of the great cloud of friends and family from all over the world cover you. hugs, Judy
Pulling for you, Jud, and praying in earnest for you and your family too. May you feel God's love, peace and strength surround you.
Dearest Jud, Jan and all (& Martha)
We are so very grateful for the good news and that this site is in place so that those of us afar off (in CA) can be updated without constantly asking for news. You are totally surrounded by loving people and their prayers and by God's angels ever guarding you from harm. Rest in that blessing this weekend. Praying "always"
T & J
We lift you up. Be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might.
You are now in the "wait on the Lord" phase, never my favorite experiences...
Love from Judy and Bill
Dear Jud and Jan,
We will continue to pray for healing and for you to be immersed in a great measure of Gods love.
With love and affection.
Both of us are grateful for Heather's most helpful description of Jud's
condition. So much hope! More prayer ascends than tongue can tell!
Our grateful love for 50 years of your friendship!
G+G
What a helpful and encouraging report. May the God of love and wholeness give you an extra measure of a sense of God's sustaining presence. You and Jan and family are in our thoughts and prayers. Keep up the good work!!!
Love, Polly Ann and Ken Brown
Jud and Jan,
We are encouraged by this hopeful report. Jud, it was so good to speak with you the other day. You have always been a source of inspiration by your spirit in the difficult times. We are praying for you that your physical strength will be bolstered in the weeks ahead.
With every best wish,
Mark and Arlyne
You and the family continue to be in our daily prayers for strength and healing.
With our best wishes,
Marv and Polly
Praising God for the good news. Dear Jud, Jan and family- Please know you are in our prayers as you progress on this journey.
Dears, what joyous news, and what a helpful explanation by Heather of your situation, Jud. She's a wonderful teacher as well as daughter! Being in isolation is not being alone, is it, for a child of Christ. And the love and prayers of the great cloud of friends and family from all over the world cover you. hugs, Judy
Pulling for you, Jud, and praying in earnest for you and your family too. May you feel God's love, peace and strength surround you.
Dearest Jud, Jan and all (& Martha)
We are so very grateful for the good news and that this site is in place so that those of us afar off (in CA) can be updated without constantly asking for news. You are totally surrounded by loving people and their prayers and by God's angels ever guarding you from harm. Rest in that blessing this weekend. Praying "always"
T & J
We lift you up. Be strong in the LORD and in the power of HIS might.
You are now in the "wait on the Lord" phase, never my favorite experiences...
Love from Judy and Bill
Dear Jud and Jan,
We will continue to pray for healing and for you to be immersed in a great measure of Gods love.
With love and affection.
Both of us are grateful for Heather's most helpful description of Jud's
condition. So much hope! More prayer ascends than tongue can tell!
Our grateful love for 50 years of your friendship!
G+G
Jud, surely Jesus has born your sicknesses and carried your diseases. The punishment for your peace and well being was placed on Him, on the cross, and by His stripes and wounds you are healed and made whole.
We love you
Jud and Jan,
As I was praying for you, I recalled Psalm 91 that you (Jan) and I read on our mission trip to Costa Rica so many years ago. It was true then and is true today: that you can rest in the shadow of the Almighty; He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; and HIS faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. I am praying that he will command his angels concerning you - to guard you in all your ways. I love you and pray for his hand of grace and mercy to sustain you through this long and difficult trial.
We join the many many other friends and family who are praying fervently for your healing and success in treatment Jud. The latest news is encouraging and we pray it will continue to be as God makes Himself known to you both in numerous ways. Love Lyn and Tom
Dear Jud and Jan,
Darlene and I always remember you with deep gratitude for your friendship and your faithful service to Christ. We pray God's Spirit to heal and strengthen you.
Caleb and I pray for God's grace to shower down on you, Jud and Jan. All that is good is of God and we trust he is "showing up" here and there - through the love of his people, etc. You are much loved by us and everyone.
Glad to hear that all is going according to plan. We are lifting you up in prayer and thanksgiving. You are in the very best of hands….His Hands.
The Power of Prayer !!
:)
Thank you for this uplifting, news.
Go TEAM POPO !!!
Praise God for this encouraging news!
Dearest Jud and Jan,
Anna and I want to assure you that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this season of hard testing! We pray that you both draw great strength from our God as you move through this season of mental, physical, and spiritual challenges. We love you both !
Peter and Anna
Jud, surely Jesus has born your sicknesses and carried your diseases. The punishment for your peace and well being was placed on Him, on the cross, and by His stripes and wounds you are healed and made whole.
We love you
Jud and Jan,
As I was praying for you, I recalled Psalm 91 that you (Jan) and I read on our mission trip to Costa Rica so many years ago. It was true then and is true today: that you can rest in the shadow of the Almighty; He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; and HIS faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. I am praying that he will command his angels concerning you - to guard you in all your ways. I love you and pray for his hand of grace and mercy to sustain you through this long and difficult trial.
We join the many many other friends and family who are praying fervently for your healing and success in treatment Jud. The latest news is encouraging and we pray it will continue to be as God makes Himself known to you both in numerous ways. Love Lyn and Tom
Dear Jud and Jan,
Darlene and I always remember you with deep gratitude for your friendship and your faithful service to Christ. We pray God's Spirit to heal and strengthen you.
Caleb and I pray for God's grace to shower down on you, Jud and Jan. All that is good is of God and we trust he is "showing up" here and there - through the love of his people, etc. You are much loved by us and everyone.
Glad to hear that all is going according to plan. We are lifting you up in prayer and thanksgiving. You are in the very best of hands….His Hands.
The Power of Prayer !!
:)
Thank you for this uplifting, news.
Go TEAM POPO !!!
Praise God for this encouraging news!
Dearest Jud and Jan,
Anna and I want to assure you that our thoughts and prayers are with you in this season of hard testing! We pray that you both draw great strength from our God as you move through this season of mental, physical, and spiritual challenges. We love you both !
Peter and Anna
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