At the present time, he's fighting two types of life-threatening cancer.

He's not only battling a rare cancer for the 3rd time (Recurring Hodgkin's Lymphoma, in the form of a large tumor by his heart) but he is now also fighting cancer of the blood and bone marrow (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia).

As of December 28th, he has just entered into the hospital, and will be there for 2 months straight.

Jim cannot work, and his wife Sera was informed that she will be laid off in a few months. Even if she can keep her job, their medical bills are overwhelming.

I never ask for favors. But I am asking now, to please help my friend. 100% of the money donated will go to their family, for food, transportation costs, medical bills, etc.

Please see the donations page for more details.

About Recurring Hodgkin's
Lymphoma

About Acute Myelogenous
Leukemia

News

7.24.08
The good news: is that Jim and Sera are going to be able to go back to Ohio. Jim successfully contracted GVHD and he has 0% leukemia cells. His doctors feel he is doing good enough to go back home. This is wonderful news!

The bad news: Sera's company is terminating her employment in approximately one week when they move back to Ohio. This is their main source of income right now. It raises some difficult questions, will they be able to get or afford health insurance. Now more than ever, prayers and donations are more than welcome.

7.03.08
After a lot of waiting and after his second transplant, Jim finally contracted GVHD (Graft-Versus-Host Disease)!!! This is wonderful news, and I know it sounds bad but it's actually a good thing. The doctors want this to happen. It means that the new (donor) immune system is taking over. It is a critical time for Jim (he essentially has one immune system taking over another right now), but we are confident he will do well. To my understanding, he is not feeling much worse than he was before he contracted GVHD which is a very good thing. With their medical expenses, they can always use donations. If you would like to donate, please visit the donation page.

6.08.08
Jim's leukemia is back at 0%!!! This is great news to hear. They are gave Jim 4 million more donor cells on Monday and trying to induce GVHD (Graft vs. Host Disease). Since he has no immune system right now, his body is taking longer to heal, from everything, like the shingles. Please keep Jim and Sera in your prayers and thoughts.

5.07.08
We received the news Saturday morning that Jim’s leukemia is back at 20% now (that is up from the 5% he had just a couple of weeks ago)…so obviously the Vidasia chemo has not done anything and is not strong enough to kill the blast cells. Dr. Holland suggested that we break out the big guns again do another round of FLAG chemo, which is the same induction chemotherapy he received when he was first diagnosed and is obviously the very potent stuff. That regiment goes Mon-Fri and he is starting that today. We will most likely be in the hospital thru next week as the side effects from the chemo will start showing up towards the end of this week into next week (fevers, mouth sores, not being able to eat and swallow, vomiting etc). The goal is to obviously get him back at 0% leukemia cells in order to give him more donor cells again. Providing that will happen, they are not going to give any immune suppressing drugs this time, to try to fully induce GVHD. It is crucial that he get a little bit of this in order for his new immune system to fully take over; so it knows to attack the leukemia cells. However, if the GVHD is not controlled, it could be just as deadly as the leukemia itself…

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