Mayo Clinic annual visit 4.6.10- Craig is still in remission

Craig, Carl, and I started the drive to Rochester on Easter Sunday. We stayed in Sioux Falls with friends and arrived in Rochester Monday. We returned to our home away from home, Gift of Life Transplant House for a 2 day stay.

Craig's tests all came back with good results. It was interesting and a surprise to see on the x-rays that the small lesions on his skeleton are circled with calcium and filling in. Doctors only told us about a few small lesions and one larger lesion when he was diagnosed. The larger lesion has filled in with bone. The body has amazing healing power. The monthly IV infusions of bone strengthener helped, too.

Several of our friends from our transplant stay were back for annual check-ups, also. It was fun to visit with them and hear they were all doing well.

Carl wore his SDPR Favorite Composer Sweatshirt from 1994 at the House. A man asked where we from when he saw Carl. It was Bruce Ley, a former Pierre resident now living in Rapid City. He was the caretaker for his wife. She was on Day 5 on her transplant for multiple myleloma. They were doing as well as could be expected. He was trying to find food that might appeal to her.

On Craig's day 5, he ate potato chips and Honey Nut Cheerios only. At the time, we thought they were miracle food.

Carl was very patient with all the waiting for appointments. We all preferred to be home than there.

We had an uneventful drive home and are back into our routines.

Today was the Destination Imagination State Tournament in Pierre. We went and watched performances in all the challenges. We enjoyed seeing the talented teams from the state and the tournament was running smoothly. Craig and I know how much hard work goes into organizing a tournament since Craig was a tournament director for several years. Kudos to Cozy and Lauri and all the volunteers from across South Dakota who volunteered! Gail

Join us for a double celebration May 30, 2010

Sunday May 30, 2010, we celebrate our 35th anniversay with an open house from 2:00 - 4:00 pm at Faith Lutheran Church in Pierre. Please join us.

Benjamin Saniuk will be baptized that morning at Faith Lutheran by Pastor Urbach who baptized, confirmed, and performed the wedding of his mother, Anne.

We're looking forward to a joyous day and seeing friends and family.

March Madness is over

March was a difficult month. Craig was in the hospital again for 4 days in Sioux Falls with pneumonia. This week he went back to work for a few hours everyday.

Craig felt really good today and we attended church tonight.

Easter Sunday we leave for Rochester for his annual check-up. A year ago today he started "killer chemo" and had the transplant April 3. Even though this year has been difficult, it's much better than last year. We have much to be thankful for. Gail