Day + 11

Mark's mouth and throat are still real sore. The staff said he spiked yesterday, so now he is on his way up. He should begin letting Amy's cells unpack their boxes and feel welcome in their new home. He still doesn't feel like wearing the pink boxers yet, so I don't know.

Day + 10

Mark still has a sore throat and hasn't eaten anything since yesterday morning. It just hurts too much. He walked one mile this morning, but only walked 1 1/2 total yesterday. He will get blood today because his H.G.B.C. red blood is low. That is normal for this point after the transplant. Thanks for all the prayers!

Day + 9

Mark has a real bad sore throat. Please pray he doesn't get another infection. He did walk 1 mile this morning. Kenny came to visit him last night. It was good to see him. Amy will come up today. Mark won't do much talking it hurts too much, but it will be good to see her too. Mom sent some homemade cookies. It's too bad Mark's throat hurts so bad. I guess I'll have to eat them. :)

Day + 8

Mark just went for his first one mile walk for today. He has been walking 2 miles a day and is feeling pretty good. He tires easily, but we hope he stays strong so we can get out soon.

Day + 7

Mark received his second Neupogen shot this afternoon. His blood counts may still drop a bit before the shots turn them around. Everything else is going good. His exercising and appetite are good. We are PRAISING GOD that everything is going so well!

Day + 6

Mark is feeling pretty good this morning he went for his one mile walk. He is now taking his nap. His blood counts are way low - just how they are supposed to be right now. He will get his Neopogen shots at 2:00pm this afternoon, then his counts will start coming back up. Day +6 is the bottom for his blood cells, then they start coming back up using Amy's.

Day + 5

Things are going good. We are hanging in there and doing what we can to make time go faster. Its not easy, but we are managing the best we can. I should start my Neupogen shots tomorrow, which should get my counts starting to move back up again, and hopefully us moving out of here in about a week or so.

Day + 4

Mark is doing pretty good this morning. He already went for a mile walk. His blood counts are coming down, just as they should. He is getting a blood transfusion right now. He is tired and bored and ready to get out of here.

Day + 3

Mark is feeling pretty good. He did finish his 1 mile walk yesterday, and already has 1/2 mile in this morning. He is working on the model ship Mom got him. Good job, Mom! The days and nights are long here, but we are counting the days until we can get out. Thanks for all the prayers!

Day + 2

Mark went for a 1/2 mile walk this morning and said his stomach feels a little crampy, but other than that not too bad. Yesterday he walked for a full mile. He will go for a walk again later today if he feels up to it. Keep him in your prayers.

Day + 1

Just trying to get through another day. The time really goes slow and it is really hard to not keep watching the clock. This is day +1. Did go for a little over a 1/2 mile walk this morning.

Transplant Day = Mark's Second Birthday

Mark got his stem cell transplant today at 2:26pm. All went well and we were happy to have Amy, Mary and Mom here with us. They made the day go much better because they had the doctors and nurses laughing so much it was more like a party. We just thank God for our family and friends and for all their prayers. We know that we are truly blessed.

Wednesday, August 18

The transplant was rescheduled to Friday, August 20. Mark has developed a secondary cancer and will need two extra days of chemo before the transplant takes place. Thank you for your continued prayers!

Tuesday, August 17

I'm not sure what to expect after the transplant. HOPEFULLY I WILL START GETTING LESS QUEASY AND THINGS WILL GET BETTER COME THURSDAY!!!!!!!

Monday, August 16

Good morning, Mark is pretty much the same. His pills are making him sleep a lot, but that's good because he doesn't get much sleep at night. Two days of chemotherapy down now, and today he starts a different kind. Keep us in your prayers. Met Brenda VanderWege yesterday, she and her husband are from Holland too.

Sunday, August 15

Mark is still having issues with his stomach, but everything else seems to be going OK. We need to go for a walk and doesn't always want to, but you know me, what Lola wants, Lola gets. He doesn't have to like it.

Friday, August 13

Mark and Lola have checked in at University of Michigan Cancer Hospital. He starts chemotherapy Saturday morning. Mark's stomach is giving him problems. Please pray that all goes well.

Wednesday, August 11

Mark still is not feeling his best, but is getting closer to his time at U of M. I have to pack what we need to for three or four months, but can't think straight. I know I will forget something - Oh Well! Thanks to all our family and friends, we are truly blessed. Thanks to my nieces for all their hard work by having a yard sale to help with expenses. Please keep us in your prayers.

Tuesday, August 10

We did get the test results yesterday, and we are still on schedule. We check in U of M Hospital Friday morning, start chemo Saturday, and have the transplant August 19. I'm still having some stomach issues lately, but they did start me on some pre-chemo pills that are supposed to keep me from getting real sick. Lola's getting everything packed. 100 days seems like a long time to be away from home.

Monday, August 9

Two weeks until the Bob Evans Restaurant benefit for Mark VandeBerg.

When: Monday, August 23, 2010, 6:ooam to 9:00pm

Where: Bob Evans, 594 E. 24th St.,Holland, MI 49423

What: 15% of sales will benefit Mark VandeBerg toward his fight with leukemia when you present the flier.

(Please print attached picture and bring with you to Bob Evans)

Hosted by East Saugatuck CRC.

Friday, August 6

Asking for extra prayer for Mark. He had a sore throat and Doctors gave him an antibiotic to take. He has to have a blood test in Grand Rapids on Monday morning at 7:30. Blood test will be sent to U of M. Please pray that the infections will be gone from his body so there will be no road blocks to the scheduled transplant. Thank you!

Thursday, August 5

After many tests, physicals, and deliberation, it has been determined that Amy will be the stem cell donor for Mark. Amy begins preparations for stem cell harvesting on August 15, with the stem cell harvest scheduled for August 19 and August 20 if more stem cells are needed. Please continue to pray the harvest, transplant, and stem cell growth in Mark will all go well. Thank you!

Tuesday, August 3

My brother, John, had some abnormalities with his liver and kidneys from his blood tests in Ann Arbor yesterday. This could be from his long trip up from New Orleans, and from the energy drinks he was drinking. Now both John and Amy will take tests on Wednesday to see if Amy may need to be the donor if John's tests don't improve. I guess we'll see on Wednesday.