Updating...

I shouldn't have waited so long to update this blog.  Updating all along would sure make this post a lot easier.  However, after Daddy's transplant, I think I subconsciously thought that if I put myeloma out of my mind...it would go away.  Well, that was not the smartest thinking.  

     Let me just dive right into what is going on...Daddy goes for bone strengthening injections once a month.  Each month they do blood work.  This is a simple way to look at one cancer marker-the M-spike.  His m-spike has been 0.8 since the transplant (0 is where it should be).  As long as it remained stable, all was good.  In December, it crept up to 0.9 and in January it was again 0.9.  At that visit, the doctor said if it moved up again, we would have to do some other tests.  Well...it was 1.1 after that visit.  This rise is indicative of a relapse.  I can tell you we were not at all prepared for this. Like I said, we tend to block things from our minds and relapse was one of them.

    I do want to stop here and explain a little to help everyone understand.  I know this is a relatively rare kind of cancer and it is a little hard to understand.  It is a blood disease (think in the family of lymphoma or leukemia).  The difference is myeloma cells get into your bone marrow and actually start to "attack" the bone so to speak.  I won't get real technical but basically lesions form which eat away at the bone.  It can also cause kidney problems due to the calcium and protein from the bones breaking down.  Lastly, it weakens the immune system.  Thankfully, Daddy has done very well with his kidneys and his immune system.  He did have a couple of broken ribs when he was diagnosed but praise God it wasn't his back or something worse.

   Anyway, now that I have told you more than you wanted to know, Daddy did have bone scans last week to check for lesions.  They are present on the larger bones of the body and his skull and this is indicative of active myeloma.   He also had a bone marrow biopsy done as well.  The doctor explained once again that this is a chronic disease and he considers these recent findings a bump in the road and not a roadblock.  That is reassuring to us.  From my research (I like to be in the know and can get a bit obsessed :), I feel very blessed that there are many, many treatment options available and many more in the pipeline.  This wasn't the case ten years ago.  So, all of you that support Relay and the American Cancer Society...thank you!!

     We go back to the doctor Thursday for the results from the bone marrow biopsy and the 24 hour urine test.  The doctor in Georgetown is going to consult with the doctors in Charleston and they will recommend a treatment plan.  We don't know what the future holds but praise God we know who holds the future.  I know Daddy is not too thrilled about the possibility of another transplant (which is one of the options).  Please pray for the doctors as they make treatment decisions and please pray for Momma and Daddy as they do also. 

    I know most that read this blog are friends and family.  But...in my "research" I have come across many personal blogs from people that had/have loved ones suffering from Multiple Myeloma.  I can't even begin to tell you how much these have helped me understand this disease and how much hope they give us.  So, I may tend to go into details that you might just want to skip over.  But, I thought this blog might help people who are like me looking for details, treatment options, and just plain hope.  God has allowed our family to face this trial for a reason.  I'm not sure what that reason is but we choose to trust God and know that no matter what He is in control.

    Last thing and I promise I will quit.  We had prayer at church today and it was awesome.  It was a spirit I can't explain and I am choosing to believe a healing that can only come from God took place this morning.  I am so thankful for our church family and all our wonderful friends and family that continually lifts Daddy up and holds our hands as we walk through this battle.  I promise the next post will not be this long...thanks for reading if you have made it this far.  Please keep praying AND praising on Daddy's behalf.  

~much love to you all

A sweet friend sent me this on facebook at just the right time so I thought I would share:

  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7