Well, I don't feel like there is much to post, but we did finally hear from the GI Doc, not the hematologist. The GI Doc says that the bone marrow biopsy does not show anything that would cause the severe anemia and lack of red blood cells. It also did not show any cancer, which is a bonus.

His speculation is that the Crohn's disease is active, creating ulcers in the intestine and thus causing loss of blood. No other tests support this, but it is the only answer there is I guess. So, now Brent will be starting a new drug that is not approved for Crohn's Disease, but has been clinically proven to work for Crohn's patients. The GI Doc has not had any insurance companies willing to pay for it, so was pleasantly surprised when ours approved it. Brent is running out of options in the biological drugs used to treat Crohn's and other auto-immune diseases. Here's hoping it is effective in his treatment and that by getting the Crohn's under control, his anemia will solve itself also. It will not be an immediate fix, of course, and he isn't happy that his entire summer will most likely be taken up by continuing the fight against the anemia.

We just continue to do what we can do. If he has a day that he actually has some energy, he tries to go into work. We are ever thankful for BYU and their patience and love and concern. We have said it many times, but returning to work for BYU many years ago was the best decision of our lives. Without this job, and without the insurance that we are fortunate to have, we would not survive.

Lisa