2/4/09 @ 9:45 am

Thank you so much to all of you for your continued prayers on behalf of Stephen and Rosemary. It seemed especially that last week, they were needed.

We are finally here. Stephen entered the hospital today for his Stem-Cell Transplant. But just a quick recap from last week so you'll know how to pray... Stephen got home from the hospital a week ago Saturday with no alleviation of the cold/flu symptoms. All tests came back negative for any infection. His doctor put through another PetScan last Wednesday and it turns out the cancer came back very quickly in just 20 days (almost as large as it was originally). This cancer has become very resistant to dieing. His cold/flu symptoms are
side symptoms of the cancer. After much debate and his doctors getting multiple opinions from other cancers centers around the country, it was decided that they would go through with the transplant.

Stephen will be in the hospital for a minimum of 3 weeks and after that is radiation for several weeks. The next several weeks are not without risk. Please pray for physical, emotional and spiritual strength. Also pray for his doctors and nurses - for wisdom and guidance. Next week could be particularly tough-as his immune system works to rebuild itself. The risk of infection can be very high.

It is possible that he might have to do another stem-cell tranplant after this, if the cancer does not go into remission. His doctors believe this is more than likely. The 2nd transplant would be a donor transplant. Stephen's sister Christina is being tested to see if she is a match. My ultimate prayer is for complete remission of the cancer but also pray that there is a match to Stephen, if this 2nd transplant must take place.

This may seem like a lot, and way more than we can handle and sometimes it feels like it, but we walk one day at a time and we see God's hand in the many little and big things. Thank you for your continued prayers and support to our family. You have been and continue to be a blessing to us. I will keep you posted as we progress through this lastest treatment.

Many blessings to you and your families. We love you all,
Dave and Marlene, Stephen and Rosemary, & Christina and Stephen.