An update on Dad

My dad, David Muller, had some more blood tests in Winnipeg. The results suggest that he has CLL (Chronic Lymphocyctic Leukemia). Of the 4 or more variations of Leukemia this is perhaps the most manageable. Fortunately there is lots of information on the internet, via national Cancer Society websites, if you want to know more.
The doctors have given us a hopeful outlook and now we "wait and see"what will happen in the next few months. The next blood tests will determine how quickly the CLL lymphocytes are doubling, like normal cells they divide to reproduce, unlike normal cells CLL cells do not die. That in itself is pretty amazing, but it is also the crux of the matter. As they reproduce they take up space and eventually crowd out useful cells like red blood, platelets and non-mutated infection fighting white blood cells.
The ultimate problem is that eventually this competition for space results in a depletion of the good guys and a glut of CLL cells. This leads to susceptability to disease and infection.
Please continue to pray for my dad and the doctors, as we wait to see what happens next.

Please Pray for my Dad

In the last few days I have been praying and waiting to find out what the tests that my father had this week would result. I had almost built up some hope that I would hear good news when they called me this evening. The white blood cell count indicates that rather than a normal count of ten (and I must admit I don't know what that number means), my father's test returned with a count of 65. The doctor's say that this means my dad has Leukemia. We don't yet know what kind of Leukemia because that requires more tests and a removal of a lymph node for analysis.
Please pray for my dad and his health. The doctor's and their skills. And my family as they adjust to this new challenge.