ERIC'S JOURNEY FOR A CURE FOR LEUKEMIA

Eric and the silent auction winner for his handcrafted cedar birdfeeder at the FORJULIEWALK 7-25-08 Birdhouse sold at $75.00

My husband Eric Hauck 39 yrs old was diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous leukemia in Sept. 2004. Upon hospital admission Eric's white cell count was 279,000 far higher than a normal 5000. After 1 week of hydrea treatment ( a form of chemo ) Erics counts were normal. But not cancer-free... the cancer would continue to progress to a terminal state without treatment.

After the initial shock our family needed to make plans. Eric and I had to close down our successful home remodeling company Sparky Construction. In order to put Eric into remission Eric was prescribed "GLEEVEC" 800 mg per day.

After a week Eric's counts were still normal however the Gleevec's side effects were brutal. Extreme bone pain, vomiting, nausea, diaherra, eye bleeds to name a few. He has been unable to work since then. He has good days, and then bad days. Erics oncologists insisted he is a great candidate for a cure for leukemia- A bone marrow transplant.

Other than the disease Eric is in perfect health. We just needed to find a donor, since neither of his brothers were a match. We went to the National Marrow Donor Program ( link below ) As chance would have it a perfect match was found... 10 of 10 perfect match for HLA which is a 1 in 5.5 million people chance. The donor is a 39 year old female. We won't know more about her until 1 year after the transplant (donor bank rules)

The outlook is good! Eric starts high dose chemo on May 16, 2005. Our children Casey 13, and Courtney 10 are doing well. Our family and friends have been fantastic with support! We are still raising money for our fund for family expenses, medical, special accomodations and special home renovations for Eric's return, etc.


To Donate write or call Kris Islam (847)515-8100 at the CASTLE BANK , 4520 West Route 62, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 Donations can be made to the Hauck Leukemia Family Fund.

I will be with Eric for the first month at Loyola to help him through the High Dose chemo and transplant. Around June 10 my mother Sherri will live with and care for Eric at the Townplaces by Marriott in Lombard for approximately 100 days. Eric must be secluded and within a 1/2 hour of Loyola. I will update the journal everyday or every few. Please check in with us! Thank you. Your support is appreciated please contact (815) 356-3904 if you want to help. Leave a message for Ginni THANK YOU to everyone for your donations and support.

Our Family thanks you! Please click on the photos button for more pictures, and please leave a note in the guest book!

Journal

Wednesday, August 6, 2008 9:29 AM CDT

Its already August! I posted a picture of Eric and the woman who won his birdfeeder at the silent auction at FORJULIE last week. She has set the price for Erics handcrafted Cedar Birdfeeders. $75.00 for the one of a kind handcrafted by a survivor bird feeders. The are all numbered and signed by Eric also. The one she got was # 2, I have number 1 and 3 & 4 are for sale. Eric now has the prototype down to an art. Number 3 & 4 have scalloped roofs they are beautiful. Please contact us at sparkyconstruction@sbcglobal.net or 815-356-3904 to buy or order yours today. He is working on 5 & 6 now. It takes him a week to do 2!

The FORJULIEWALK was great. Courtney, Eric and I went, it was a beautiful evening. Courtney and I did the 2 mile walk and Eric visited with other survivors, Mary Doody and others. We had a lot of fun watching the bidding on Erics Birdfeeder, and we enjoyed the raffles, food and good company for a great cause.

Eric has been feeling okay. He is really struggling at times with fatigue. He is and told me last night really worried about the surgery coming up. He asked if I was worried about it. Well of course I am concerned but.....given all he has been through, how far he has come this could be a major turning point in his bodies recovery. Unfortunately it will take away his new found freedoms, of walking, doing stairs, driving, and feeling decent but it is a necessary actually imperative operation. They said 3 weeks before he feels like himself and months to get back to normal...well it will be better than Erics normal if all goes well!! Prayers on that

We have scheduled it so he could enjoy some summer and spend a few days with the kids. Work on his birdfeeders, and enjoy family and friends. This coming Saturday we are all going to a Concert, and then we are going to Michigan to stay a few days in a cabin August 18th. (thanks to Tracy Harpers generosity) When we return home on Erics Birthday August 23rd we will stop at House on the Rock in Wisconsin where Eric and I had one of our first official dates years ago. The kids will enjoy it..us too. On Sunday Eric will rest for Surgery on Monday 8/25. Casey starts his JR year on 8/25 also. Courtney starts 8th grade on Sept 4th.

So that is where we are now. We had a visit with Dr. Stiff last week also. Erics counts are okay, a little lower but Eric was sick for a few days a couple weeks ago and that does affect counts. His protein levels in his blood are lower than we want so we are pushing protien as he will need it to recover from surgery quicker. Dr suggested protien/boost shakes. We will see Dr. Stiff again Sept 9th after surgery. On another note we are waiting on the finalization of our home refinancing....all papers in just waiting on Closing date hopefully it will be before Erics surgery.

We are so thankful for everyones support, and love over the last almost 4 years....who could of known our journey would bring us here. Without our friends, family and supporters we could not have made it thanks for holding us up everyone. You all make the difference. Please keep letting us know your're here with your messages in the guestbook and contacting us. One last note...if anyone out there has a bed or knows where we could get one reasonably. Casey desparately needs a new bed his mattress is starting to show springs and he's just too big for what he has. He is adult size and needs an adult bed. THANKS TO EVERYONE AGAIN!!!!


LOVE AND PRAYERS TO ALL!


Ginni Hauck

Read Journal History

Hospital Information:

Loyola University Hospital
2160 1st Ave
Maywood IL

Links:

E-mail Author: sparkyconstruction@sbcglobal.net

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Note: The foregoing information was authored by the patient, parent or guardian, or other parties who are solely responsible for the content. Such announcements or their content are not necessarily endorsed by CaringBridge, Inc. or any sponsoring agent. This information does not confirm that anyone is or was actually a patient at any facility.