The Plan

     We went back to the doctor in Georgetown today for the results of the bone marrow test.  He showed us a picture of Daddy's marrow and pointed out the myeloma cells which are at 20% now.  Just for a comparison, they were 70% when he was diagnosed.  So, praise God we are better off than we were.  This confirmed a relapse.  He is still waiting on results from the chromosome study.  When Daddy was initially diagnosed, he had the "good" gene mutation.  Please pray that this is still the case.  He said if the results come back and it is the "bad" gene mutation, we may have to change the course of treatment a little.   

     So, the plan is for Daddy to start Revlimid, which is a chemo pill, sometime the middle of next week.  A special drug company has to ship it to him. But, apparently he is still child-bearing age (isn't that funny :), so he had to be counseled today and will have to be counseled again by the drug company about how he cannot have children while on this drug.  Good thing we don't have to worry about that:)  He will take this in combination with Dexamethasone, which is a powerful dose of steroids.  Daddy has been on these steroids before and it is not a whole lot of fun!  He loses a couple nights sleep and then crashes.  But, he is ready, and we are ready to support him.  Hopefully, he will respond well to this treatment and we will go from there.  In April, he will meet with his doctors at MUSC and decide if another transplant is the best option or if we should wait.  It will depend on the chromosome study and how he is responding to the Rev/Dex combo.  

     Overall, I feel very relieved after going today.  I was really praying and believing for complete healing but that is not God's plan yet.  I have a couple of specific prayer requests.  First, that Daddy will respond to treatment and it will knock this myeloma out!  Second, that his chromosome study will come back that he still has the "good" gene.  Lastly, please pray for strength and minimal side effects for Daddy.  As I read other myeloma stories, and believe me I have scoured the internet :), I am amazed at how well Daddy has done.  God was so good in allowing us to find Daddy's cancer before it affected his spine or his kidneys like so many.  We have many, many things to be thankful for!  

    One more thing just to show you how good God is.  We are reading through a little bible story book the boys have each night.  You won't believe what the story was on tonight-faith...the story of the mustard seed.  How fitting!  God's is truly allowing my family's faith to grow through this.  I was amazed at the timing and I think it was more for me than them tonight.  

Anyway, one of my favorite verses that means so much right now...

Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass ... Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him. (Psalm 37:4,7)

    Thanks for your prayers.  Please keep them coming!

~much love to you all