Message from Dave sent via email to friends and family

Family and Friends,

I would like to update everybody on Kristine's current condition. On Tuesday May 17th, Kristine went in for a routine blood check with Dr. Jack Jacoub (google his name) and everything came back positive. She is in a very good remission (cancer free) stage.  Kathy (Kristine's sister) who is a match for a bone marrow transplant flew into town Tuesday for her physical at UCLA.  Wednesday May18th, Kristine and I took Kathy up to UCLA for her consultation and detailed bone marrow doner physical.  Today, I received a call from Sara Gaby (UCLA bone marrow coordinator) and was told Kathy passed the physical.  Not that we were worried about the results, but finding a bone marrow match is one thing--having a sibling as a match is phenomenal!  Kristine's gene makeup of Japanese and Caucasian would be difficult to find in the general bone marrow registry.  The next phase for Kathy is Neupogen shots twice a day for four days.  Neupogen helps stimulate the growth of white blood cells in your body.  On Wednesday May 25th, Kathy will go up to UCLA where she will give blood to be harvested and stored for Kristine at a later date.  The procedure for Kathy will take about three to four hours were her blood will go into a leukapheresis machine, which extract out the white blood/stem cells used for Kristine's bone marrow transplant and then Kathy's blood will be returned back into her body.  This is a non-evasive procedure without any side effects.  Medical science has come a long way.  Bone marrow transplants used to be painful for the doner and recipient.  UCLA needs to collect three million stem cells from Kathy which might take two blood donations.  If needed, the second one is on Friday May 27th.  Kathy is so proud to be able the give Kristine a second chance on life.  Those of you that know Kathy know her as outgoing, talkative and always on the go.  Will Kristine take on some of those characteristics???

 Kristine is scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy on Monday May 23rd at UCLA with Dr. Ronald Paquette (google his name).  Kristine is very fortunate to be getting some of the best cancer treatment available.  Dr. Jacoub, her Oncologist, and Dr. Paquette, the transplant specialist, have been very compassionate and positive about a successful outcome for Kristine.  If Kristine's bone marrow biopsy comes back good (less than 5% leukemia cells) then she is scheduled to be admitted to UCLA on Thursday, May 26th or Friday, May 27th.  Once admitted, Kristine will go through a dose of three to four days of chemotherapy to wipe out the bone marrow of leukemia cells before the transplant can take place.  Kristine's bone marrow transplant will only take one day.  UCLA calls it her new birth date.  She will stay in the hospital for one month due to a suppressed immune system and to prevent any complications or infections.  Once discharged, Kristine will spend another month at a local hotel close to UCLA for routine blood work and checkups.  Visitors are welcomed but only when cleared from doctor.  All the support Kristine received from family and friends has helped her stay positive.  

I would like to share with everybody how strong and positive Kristine has been through this ordeal.  She has been through hell and back during the chemotherapy treatment.  And if not sick, Kristine would have a smile on her face and always happy to see family and friends.  Kahlen and Logan keep her positive and a willingess to beat this disease.  As for me, I don't always show my emotions.  This ordeal has sucked my soul out, but the support from family and friends has helped alot.  It is a surreal feeling and I keep thinking I am going to wake up from a bad dream...

This is a great forum for me to express my gratitude for all that have helped, called, sent cards, emails and prayed for Kristine and the family. 

Karen, your blog has taken the stress off of me having to update family and friends of Kristine's condition.  Kyoko, thank you for spending two months at our home caring for the kids, cleaning, cooking and visiting Kristine at the hospital so I could return to work.  Pat, your support and picking up the slack at home so Kyoko could spend time at our home is much appreciated.  Rick, I know you have your hands full with kids and sports, but with Karen able to come down and help means alot.  Dad, Sean and Dea, I dump alot on you guys from last minute babysitting to emotions, thank you.  Mom and Gary, you both have always been there for us and thank you for the love and support.  Bonnie and Dennis, thank you for the phone calls and I know if you were closer you would be here.  Kimberlie and Andy, if you didn't live in England, I know you would be here all the time.  Vicki and Joe, you are always there when needed, thank you.  Daryl, Trista, Scott, Mariann, Dan, Carissa Tony, Janene, Jeff, Yelena and Deanna you are our closest friends from day one and thanks for helping out when needed.  Devin, you inspire Kristine and myself, being a cancer survivor and supporting us from the beginning.  Deb, Dee, Ed and Bryce, Dana, Jason, Renee, James, Maria, Christina, Mark thank you for taking care of the kids and supporting us.  To the family on the East Coast-- Sharon, Bob, Kelly, Maureen, Billy, John, Kumi, Timmy and family, your phone calls and cards keep Kristine smiling hope to see you all soon.

And last to my Anaheim Fire Family it makes me proud to be part of such a great organization.

I want to add a shout out and special thanks to our friend, Hayato Yuuki, for all his efforts in fundraising money to help pay for Kristine's medical expenses and additional daycare costs.  He spearheaded the Kristine DuFrene Leukemia Awareness Wristbands, helped organize the OC Marathon group who ran in Kristine's honor and has just been so supportive of us during this trying time.  I can't thank him enough for everything he has done.

Keep the prayers coming,

Dave