A trip = a change

Bob has now been off of chemo for a whole week.  It is so great to see him become himself again.   The only side affect that we can "see" and put a finger on is the neuropathy.  Bob's right leg is affected the most and he can feel (sense) that a lot.  Not sure if all that nerve damage will or can repair itself.  His walking is generally pretty good.  It gets even better the more days he is away from the chemo.

 Case in point:  while we were in Niagra Falls we decided to walk that walkway along the river and falls.   I am thinking that it would be at least a kilometer one way.  That was pretty brave of us considering we haven't done much walking at home, mostly because of the ice everywhere as winter melts away and then freezes again.  The day at the Falls was below freezing and windy.  We have learned that to do this walk in the winter wear rubber boots--the warm ones, wear wind pants, a nylon type jacket with a hood and nylon covered mitts.  A wool jacket quickly smells like a sheep, leather shoes are soon white from the salt slurry that is everywhere, a toque or hat becomes wet and mittens don't keep the wind out!!!!  Even so, Bob and I had so much fun being out there.  It was raining for a ways as the mist from the falls comes down like rain fall.  Yet, we could see that things would get better as the folks returning from the far end were carrying Tim Horton cups.....and yes there was a Tim Horton's so we had hot chocolate and a sit down before we started back.  We had tried walking on the warmer side of the street.........across the road from the falls walkway but sheesh the cars just had no sense of dignity and splashed the sloppy road slush up on to the sidewalk.  There were so many people out on that walkway that one could almost think it was summer.  We could hear a rather large number of languages.....couldn't place very many tho.  In Bob's wisdom and from our experiences Bob thought that these folks made Canada their vacation destination in the winter because well.......it is winter.... and the rates to travel here may be less in the "off" season.  'Course they could all be going out west to ski!!!  There was lots of ice especially along the American falls and in the river---no Maid of the Mist for sure.  We had never been to the falls in the winter and we now can say that the falls has its own breath taking beauty in every season.

Bob very quickly got back into the rhythm of returning to chemo, doctors and needles.  The day after we came home from Niagra Falls, Bob saw the oncologist.  Dr. Bahlis  was pleased with the numbers from the blood tests done earlier in the day.  He is going to set up a PET scan to see what has happened to the cancer lesions.  The best part is that Bob will only have to go to the hospital once a week--on Fridays for the velcade injection.  Friday will also be the day that Bob will take the dex.  The revlamid continues every day.  Only the rotation changes---3 weeks of chemo and one off.  Bob was so thrilled that he got feeling so well while we were away that he is encouraged that he won't be feeling so horrible---always -----that he can get to a point of wellness again and with that thought he can continue with the chemo.  So far so good with the reactions this time around, not as debilitating as 2 weeks ago.

Have to say that our trip to Niagra Falls was very good in all respects.  We celebrated Bob's dad's 90th birthday.  Dad and Reta are both very well and look great.  We got to spend time with Bob's brother, Gerry and his wife Claire who came from Manitoba.  So glad that we all came the week after the BIG party as the week before was the snow storm that closed the airports and delayed flights into Toronto and Hamilton.  We also got to reconnect with lots of family on a couple of different days as they came to dad and Reta's home.

A Joshua Liebman is quoted as saying: "Treasure each other in the recognition that we do not know how long we shall have each other."

Working Drugs

Bob and I totally know that many prayers have been offered up for Bob and God has been gracious the first week  of this round.  The treatments and side affects have been so much better and we are truly grateful.

Being tired now is a biggie for Bob.  Bob's blood pressure is low --for him and he has been dizzy.  He also has a sense of not feeling well altho he is still eating reasonably well and so we are once again slipping into another new normal accepting and fighting the best we know how.

There was a huge reality check tho, as the face of the multiple myeloma support group and the fund raising for multiple myeloma, has passed away.  Carol Westberg was 58 years old.  She had been diagnosed only 8 years ago.  Carol was a fierce warrior with a desire to bring a greater awareness of this cancer to the general public.  Carol's death will have a huge impact on the multiple myeloma community.

The reality of the cancer makes us more aware of life and love.

It is now Tues the 5th and Bob is over at Tom Baker for the blood work and the chemo injection.  About an hour ago he sent an email but I wasn't near the computer.  I wonder if Bob thinks I sit and monitor emails and FB and Pintrest ALL day!!!!  He phoned..............I usually answer the phone unless they are those weird numbers that never leave a message.  Should you have a weird number and I don't answer make sure you leave a message. 

 Sooooo I talked with Bob and we are so very excited and so very thankful, grateful and blessed.  Bob was waiting down by the lab when Dr. Bahlis came along and asked how he was doing.   Totally amazes me that the doc knows who Bob is, and his case, as Bob is only 1 in a sea of cancer patients that come and go out of those waiting areas.  Bob told the doc  about all the side affects he is struggling with and that he really didn't like this drug.  Bob was told that the side affects were pretty normal.  REALLY!!!!!  there are sure a lot of people around who not only have cancer but struggle horribly with the meds. 

 Then the doc said "oh you won't know this yet, your numbers have come way down again--where we wanted to see them", SO I am thinking that the Kappa/lambda protein ratio must be down as that was the only blood marker that was way up.  Dr. Bahlis  then said that for the next round, which will begin in 2 weeks, Bob may only have to have the Velcade once a week rather than the twice a week injection.  The other two Drugs the Revlamid and Dex will stay the same for now. 

We are so grateful for the many people who are praying for Bob and I.  So thankful that God is choosing to help abate the cancer and to grow us.