GRADUATION

Once a patient is healthy enough, to not need any post- transplant medical needs met, they are considered having graduated!!!!!  Today Bob was told he had graduated. HURRAH, HURRAH.  I have never seen such a wide, wide smile from Dr. Bahlis  :-)))     We would have whooped and shouted but not everyone in the BMT clinic was happy today.  We saved the whooping  until we were out side.

We were told that the two vials of liquid from the bone marrow contained......wait for it.........NO myeloma cells.  However, the more solid sample that contained scar tissue had 30% active myeloma.  The remission word was used but with the caveat of this spot of myeloma.  Tomorrow Bob has a PET scan scheduled (cycletron must be up and working again).  The scan will show if that is the only active spot or if there are others.  To receive that news we will have an appointment in two weeks.

In two weeks time we go back across the hall to Dr. Bahis' regular clinic where we will have the PET scan results AND Bob will begin another regime of  chemo.  So pleased Bob graduated but sadly this is the clinic that has long waits.  This is also a Wed. clinic.   Being on Wed. doesn't really mean to much, as our calendars are able to be very fluid!!!!!LOL

The plan is that Bob may receive radiation on the spot of myeloma.  He hasn't had radiation since he was first diagnosed and it was only on his back.  Radiation will depend on the PET.  Bob will also begin a maintenance dose of velcade and pomalyst.  This will be 3 weeks on and 1week off.  The velcade is given by intravenous once a week at TBC.  The pomalyst is oral.  We are so thankful, that for now, Bob will not be on a steroid.

For my medical friends and family:  WBC  5.2
                                                            RBC  3.3   still a wee bit low
                                                            HGB  104    "    "         "
                                                            Platelets  104    "   "   "'
                                                            Kappa free   9.04
                                                            Lambda free   11.10
                                                            Kappa/Lambda free ratio    .81   (this is where we all whooot)
                                                            U protein     .09
Is that all you need,  Donna??????

Soooooo we are pretty pumped.  Dr. Bahlis said he hoped that we would have a good year but was hoping for a long life for Bob.  The nurse said she hoped  for lots of good years.  That is our prayer too.

Dr. Bahlis does not want Bob to go back to work until the new year due to the immunity issue and the vaccines that Bob may require.  We still have lots of trips to TBC too.  Not sure what the future will be like but the One we trust with our lives does.  Let 's give it up for God--Hurrah and thank you.

Thankyou from the bottom of our hearts for the many prayers that have been offered up to God on our behalf.  God has heard the cry of our hearts and is doing a miracle in Bob's body and in our hearts and faith.  We are so encouraged today, but each day has its own challenges.  This is true for each one of us.  My desire would be that each of us know God so intimately that each moment of our lives are dependent on Him.  No matter the outcomes of life's daily challenges we would be able to trust that God has our backs.