WELCOME TO MY BLOG





By Grant Falk

Friday, June 20, 2008

It's been a long week.....Grant is still fighting

Tomorrow the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training are running their marathon tomorrow in Anchorage. Go Team!! I believe most of the team ran in San Diego a couple weeks ago, but the rest of them are running tomorrow. These people, who we never met before January, have been an inspiration to Grant & our whole family. They have taken us under their wing, made Grant an honorary member, and have been a constant support to us. The team we are on has raised over $200,000 for the fight for a cure. They are really something, so go check them out at http://www.teamintraining.org/ Maybe they will show them on their website tomorrow. I will be praying from 7am to 1pm for them all to make it with no injuries. Maybe next year we could attempt to walk a half marathon.....???? I know I couldn't run one!! I better start training right now!!

Anyway, it's been a long week. Grant is fighting. There hasn't been much change since my last post. He's still breathing good, his kindeys are functioning normally, and he seems to be pretty comfortable. Although, he was having more pain today, so we increased the pain medication. His speech is improving a bit, but our physical therapy is on hold for now. His legs are still enormous, so there is back up of the blood in there. The blood is making it to his feet, just not back up to his heart fast enough. I pray his body can make new veins, and his blood will quit clotting. We've run out of medical options, so it's up to Grant's body now. God willing, he can make it through.

School is out, so we've seen some of Grant's friends lately. Thanks boys for coming down. It's hard to see him this way, I know, but he does hear us & understands everything. He knows we all love him.

We'll keep you posted. Hugs to you all.

Monday, June 16, 2008

Another setback.........more prayers needed

I'm sorry to report that Grant got more blood clots in his legs over the weekend. Both of them this time, and again, from knee to pelvis. We cannot thin his blood again, because of the head bleed. The only thing we can do is wait & pray that his body will absorb them, and that his body will make new pathways around the veins that are clogged, to get the blood back to his heart. Meanwhile, his thighs have puffed up, and they are under a lot of pressure. He's again in a lot of pain.
Once again I don't know what to say, or even what to think at this point. I'm so discouraged with this news. I don't know how much more he can take. But, he keeps fighting, so I will continue as well.
Keep praying, he loves you all.

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Off to the Rehabilitation Unit

Welll.....it's another day. We got out of ICU the night before last, when a bed was finally available on the SCCA floor. We are back in the room that we had when we got the transplant. But today, we got good news. They have room for Grant on the Rehabilitation Unit, and they plan on moving him tonight. That must mean that medically he is doing ok, now it's just getting his body to work again. Grant's been talking a little, still very weak. He can't pull himself out of bed yet, but he is able to weakly move his arms & legs. It really doesn't take long for your muscles to deteriorate. He's got a lot of weakness, but everyday he seems to get a tiny bit better. It's going to be a long summer for him, and the workout of his life. I know he's strong, and he is very brave, and that's what will get him through this.
God bless you all for caring. Thanks to everyone for the meals, the cards, the visits, the cleaning and your constant prayers. I dont' really know what I would do without you all. Until later....

Saturday, June 7, 2008

On my way out of ICU..........Good news for a change!

Yes, it's true, they are going to let Grant out of ICU today......as long as there is room on the "floor" (That's what everyone here calls the cancer ward or the SCCA on the 3rd floor)
This past week has shown how strong Grant really is. He opened his eyes about 6 days ago. They weren't very clear & very puffy the first day, but now they are very clear & he's obviously in there. He is starting to talk, but still very weakly. It's taking a while to get the words out, but, oh was I happy to hear some words!! His first words were "I'm thirsty".
He started Physical Therapy last week, and every day he improves. Jeanine & I did the physical therapy today ourselves (as they aren't there on the weekends), and Grant actually got his legs over the side of the bed all by himself. He got his arms over his head as well.
It's not going to be a fast recovery, but I do believe he will recover. I must admit that the week before, I wasn't so sure.
We are well past our 100 days after transplant. We, too, thought we would be over the hump by now. Who would have ever expected all of this to happen on top of the cancer stuff? It hardly seems fair sometimes, but the alternative is not an option, and we will all fight to keep Grant alive & well.
To all our Team in Training folks, you are awesome!! Thanks for continuing to help us out & keep Grant in your prayers. All the food, the cleaning, the presents.........everything! I know some of you have already run your marathon last week in San Diego, and I can't say how proud I am of all of you! You all do these marathons, and raising money for the cure, out of the goodness of your hearts & my hat is off to you all!! Good luck to those who are running in 2 weeks! I hope Grant can someday do the same thing you are doing. If my knee wasn't so bad, I would consider it myself! We will be there next year cheering you on!!
So............... here's to another week of recovery. Thank you ALL!