Here we go again...

    I absolutely cannot believe I haven't updated this blog before now.  I started this blog for two reasons...one was to help keep our dear friends and family updated and the second was to help people who were searching for a "real" person's story when they have a loved one diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.  Blogs like this helped me so much when Daddy was first diagnosed.  And, I couldn't stand it when the story just ended and was never updated.  Then, I did the same thing!  Oh well...one day I will go back and fill in the gap for the past year or so.  For now, I want to update all of you wonderful prayer warriors on what is going on with Daddy. 

     Daddy's Myeloma began acting up again (remember it is not considered a curable cancer...just treatable) last December.  He has been on two different chemotherapy treatments since then.  The last one is a brand new drug, Carfilzomib, that has just become available.  He has responded really well to this.  So, his doctor here and at MUSC feel like it is time to do another transplant while he is having a good response.  There is currently a clinical trial at MUSC that uses the drug you normally get with transplants for Myeloma (Melphalan-the same drug he got last time) along with Carfilzomib.  So far they have completed one round of the trial and the participants have had great success.  There is one opening and they feel like Daddy is a good candidate.  So, he will be having another Stem Cell Transplant beginning on November 5th.  It will be very much like last time except the additional chemo will be added. 

     I asked him today if it was worse knowing what he was facing this time or facing the unknown.  He said as bad as he knows it was, it is much easier knowing what to expect.  So, the battle is on.  I think we have tried to block Myeloma out of our minds for a long time. Especially while Daddy was on the chemo pill at home.  When it was out of our minds, we didn't have to face reality.  Which probably explains my lack of blogging.  However, reality is here and we are ready to face it.  I went back and read this blog from start to finish the other night, and as bad as the transplant was on Daddy,  I couldn't help but praise God the entire time I read it.  He blessed Daddy over and over and over during this entire journey.  Everything they warned us about and said would probably happen, never did.  Daddy got along great and we know God is still the same God today that He was then, and expect and thank Him in advance for the same this time.  

     Daddy is one of the strongest people I know.  I witnessed him having a bone marrow biopsy for the first time today.  I can tell you that you want to pray that you never, ever have to have that done.  He not only had to have one today, but they had to do a second because the sample wasn't good.  He never complains.  Daddy just faces whatever it is head on with a peace that is unbelievable.  I have never heard him once question why me, why this, why 2 totally different kinds of cancers, etc?  I don't think the man has a selfish bone in his body.  What an example he is of Christ!

    So, this isn't the news we had hoped for, but it is the journey we will walk.  Thankfully, we don't walk it alone.  Besides having all of our wonderful friends and family to lift us up and support us, we have a Savior who holds Daddy in the palm of His hand.  What a comfort that is!  I don't know how we could face this journey again without our hope in Christ Jesus.  I am thanking God everyday for complete healing. A while back the preacher was praying for both Daddy and Wilson and said something about our family receiving multiple miracles.  Ever since then, I have really believed that God was going to heal both of them.  I prayed that God would send a sign that they both would be alright.  Most of you know Wilson had to have two ablations to "fix" his arrhythmia.  I told Daddy today that that was our sign that this second time was the charm for him as well.  God has taken care of Wilson, now it is Daddy's turn.  Please join us in praying, believing, and thanking God for that!  God has given us all of you to walk this journey with and we can never tell you how much the love of friends and family sustain us.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

~Much love to all of you

PS...Joey and Deanne's baby is set to arrive on Nov 5th (don't you just love the timing??) if not before...so if you'd like to throw in a little extra prayer that he would decide to come on his own in time for Poppie to see him that would be great as well :)