Our monthly trip to the oncologist on May 2 turned out different from the norm. The kappa free was at 1.19 and the lambda free was less that 1.40 which made the free ratio to be less than .85. This protein free chain is what the doc follows to check on where the cancer levels are. Bob basically has no active cancer at this point. Blew me over, well, Bob too. Dr. Bahlis showed us the graph and seeing that downward arrow was amazing. We didn't know what to do with this news. The battle with this cancer has been 10 years minus 2 months. Is this cease fire for real? We seem to be on hold waiting for the other shoe to drop. The first thing Dr. Bahlis did was stop the oral drug cyclophosphomate. This is the one we think gives Bob the most side affects. He is still on two oral chem drugs--pomolyst every day, dex once a week and the once a month infusion of darzalex. He had that infusion last Thurs.
We are thrilled with Dr. Bahlis who is not only Bob's oncologist but a cutting edge researcher on multiple myeloma. God used Dr. B's procedures and expertize to get to this point. The Lord also used the radiation from mid March to destroy cancer cells.
This weekend I could see a difference. He didn't sleep as much and had more energy. We went to church at the church. We weren't part of the FB church this week. Bob barbecued at noon. Mike and his family were here. Bob went to the playground with the kids and still did not have a nap.
Imagine what you see on a battlefield when a cease fire is called. In my mind I see black scorched land, helmets strewn about, weapons left helter skelter, burned out vehicles. Some things can never be the same. In Bob's cease fire I see 3 larger sizes of jeans, masks,bandages and tape, a huge mountain of pill bottles, hospital beds, a stroke, paramedics, a clam shell from back surgery, patches of pain meds, the smell of the transplant, isolation, tremors, MRIs, PETs, CTs and volunteers bringing a drink and a snack in a waiting room. Bob's body will never be the same. On May 10 we go to see a surgeon. The tumors in the neck have shrunk but still seem to concern Dr. B. Bob gets an xray and then we see the surgeon.
There isn't any myeloma in the skull for which we are most thankful. The following is s short quote from the neuroradiologist: " Redemonstrated are osseous lesions lesions at C3 and T1 compatible with known myeloma with slight progressive vertebra body height loss at C3. There is slight improvement in previous mild cord compression at the C3 level. no new focus of osseous metastatic disease. No new regions of cord compression." The cord suppression is what is concerning as it could cause paralysis. The radiation has helped that situation, we believe.
Thankful for the snot getting knocked out of the cancer. Doing our best to grab hold of the cease fire and enjoy the pause.
