Maylong weekend is over so now we can say that summer has arrived. Bob and I haven't been away on the Maylong for....... sheesh I don't know how long!!! ;} This Maylong we took a road trip to SK. to see our son Mike and his family. It was a lovely uplifting time. Bob did really well even tho he had had chemo on Fri. We drove out on Sat. and back on Monday. Kinda short time for a long drive.
It was so enjoyable to be out in the country and seeing all of the spring activities taking place on the farms. Lots and lots of seeding. Huge equipment doing what I could only imagine would be acres and acres in a day. I didn't see one husband and wife team loading a 12 foot disc drill by pail fulls hmmm. Lots of fields were already beginning to grow---you could see that hint of green just emerging from the soil. We also saw the most amazing deep green field of alfalfa (once our specialty). Wow, "that will be ready to cut in a matter of a couple of weeks." Then there was either fall rye or winter wheat that was a good size. We saw so many cow/calf herds with all the sweet baby calves. I took special note of the farm yards---rotor tillers parked by or in gardens----BIG gardens, nice, bright white stakes to mark the rows of each vegetable, garden tractors cutting grass, push mowers doing the trimming around trees and flower beds. Bob and I couldn't help but talk about our old farm and all the things both great and crazy that we had done. Knowing what details are involved in all these pastoral scenes made us stop and think!!!!!!!!!! and give thanks that we have been there, and done that.
As I write this we are still awaiting another wee granddaughter. Thot we might have been with Mike and Cori to help out but no, baby is on her own time schedule. The family is doing well, Cori is amazing as a wife and mom. The three little ones will be 27 months apart from oldest to new baby. Taylor is 12 and is a big help. Mike is doing well, sorted life out and dealing well not only with baggage but also the future. Mike and Cori see and correspond with Mike's 3 kids in MB and I think that is a positive. They are looking to God for input and direction in their lives. No one knows the direction or purpose or how God uses ones past to impact our future. We trust Mike and family to the Lord and pray that the Lord will continue to make their path straight and sure as they go on in their lives.
NORMAL------ever changing. It seems that Bob's normal will be chemo in some form forever. We will both be dealing with the side effects of that chemo most of the time. Bob will be having pain from neuropathy and will be using a walking stick to help keep his balance. Do not be quick to judge someone who stumbles on a flat even floor. See only the love between two people when someone has his arm or hand on a companions shoulder. We are not stopping the fight or to deal with the cancer, we are dealing with the new normal and the reality of multiple myeloma.
There is a beautiful rain as I write this almost a week after the Maylong. The rain refreshes and brings hope. That is how we always thought of rain in the Brandon Hills. In my little yard I still see it that way----my shrubs and trees will love this first real rain of this growing season. Near the rivers folks are beginning to think of high water and beginning to plan for flooding, as the spring runoff from the mountains is still to come. I am still thinking 3 inches of rain is darn nice plus I have my cool rubber boots by the back door.
Each new day brings hope as well. Enjoy each day.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Times a ticking
Bob had such a reality check yesterday!!!and it hurt , don't we all still think we are young and able to still leap tall buildings in one leap? Actually I didn't do well at hurdles so tall buildings would be a streeetch. hehehe. I still think my husband can do anything and he rarely disappoints. The government has different ideas. Yesterday he got the papers to fill out for OAS, go on you can figure out what those letters mean!!!! He also got the papers to fill out for CPP!!!! Yikes, How did he get to be this age? and oh we are so thankful that he is getting this old...... These papers are mailed out 11 months before one's 65th birthday. Still time to process this upcoming event. Of course it will be awhile before I receive mine as I am so much younger!!!! A note of encouragement to those who are younger---KEEP WORKING AND PAYING THOSE PREMIUMS !!!!!
Have you ever sat and pondered how quickly our lives pass, how quickly we become adults, educated, working, raising a family, retiring and then----ultimately on to glory. This life really is like the blink of an eye. I am thinking that is why we need to be prepared for life after death. I suppose that is why we are to store up our treasures in heaven and not here on earth. Bob and I will be spending forever with Jesus in heaven and yep,,, we can know that for sure. Now we become more aware of the need to take as many people, as we are able, with us to spend eternity with Jesus. Praying for our families is more fervent, seeing them sell out to God is cause for rejoicing. Trusting that those around us will realize that the bible is truth and not mess around with the foolishness of this world -- where time is short, but set their eyes on eternity. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Want to know how? Give me a call or email, or head over to McKenzie Towne Church some Sunday morning esp if you are in Calgary!!!!!!!!!!
Bob had his oncology appointment yesterday----with Dr. Bahlis. His counts are all good and the next PET scan will be at the beginning of June, to see what is really going on. The velcade dose is being dropped down to counteract the neuropathy. He has also been given ANOTHER drug to act as pain relief for the neuropathy. Neuropathy is the destruction of nerve cells. Bob describes his feet, when he walks, as being like walking in a pair of socks that are to big and the socks have become all bunched up on the bottom of your feet. OR like walking on a whole lot of ball bearings. His toes are becoming numb so that is somewhat frightening. Bob is using a walking stick outside and in the estate house---just to help with balance. His attitude about this has been exceptional. Learning to live in a new normal means just that; living in this normal and never going back to what was in the past. Takes time and lots of grace to accept.
I guess our summer won't be as carefree as we first interpreted the last news to be. Yes it will be a maintenance dose but will include all the drugs. The velcade is the one Bob goes to the hospital to receive. Thinking that after the PET scan we will be more aware of the timing of the routine. We are still planning on a trip to MB from June 22- around July 6. We may not be there the whole time but that is the holiday window Bob is taking off. All you MB friends best polish off those rocking chairs, set them in the sun and get the bug zappers out. I hear you may have a large gathering of mosquitoes. We will watch as you golf and work and cut grass and all those other summer adventures. Talk again soon...............
Have you ever sat and pondered how quickly our lives pass, how quickly we become adults, educated, working, raising a family, retiring and then----ultimately on to glory. This life really is like the blink of an eye. I am thinking that is why we need to be prepared for life after death. I suppose that is why we are to store up our treasures in heaven and not here on earth. Bob and I will be spending forever with Jesus in heaven and yep,,, we can know that for sure. Now we become more aware of the need to take as many people, as we are able, with us to spend eternity with Jesus. Praying for our families is more fervent, seeing them sell out to God is cause for rejoicing. Trusting that those around us will realize that the bible is truth and not mess around with the foolishness of this world -- where time is short, but set their eyes on eternity. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life. Want to know how? Give me a call or email, or head over to McKenzie Towne Church some Sunday morning esp if you are in Calgary!!!!!!!!!!
Bob had his oncology appointment yesterday----with Dr. Bahlis. His counts are all good and the next PET scan will be at the beginning of June, to see what is really going on. The velcade dose is being dropped down to counteract the neuropathy. He has also been given ANOTHER drug to act as pain relief for the neuropathy. Neuropathy is the destruction of nerve cells. Bob describes his feet, when he walks, as being like walking in a pair of socks that are to big and the socks have become all bunched up on the bottom of your feet. OR like walking on a whole lot of ball bearings. His toes are becoming numb so that is somewhat frightening. Bob is using a walking stick outside and in the estate house---just to help with balance. His attitude about this has been exceptional. Learning to live in a new normal means just that; living in this normal and never going back to what was in the past. Takes time and lots of grace to accept.
I guess our summer won't be as carefree as we first interpreted the last news to be. Yes it will be a maintenance dose but will include all the drugs. The velcade is the one Bob goes to the hospital to receive. Thinking that after the PET scan we will be more aware of the timing of the routine. We are still planning on a trip to MB from June 22- around July 6. We may not be there the whole time but that is the holiday window Bob is taking off. All you MB friends best polish off those rocking chairs, set them in the sun and get the bug zappers out. I hear you may have a large gathering of mosquitoes. We will watch as you golf and work and cut grass and all those other summer adventures. Talk again soon...............
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Mercy
I was reading my bible today---using the One Year Bible---. I had decided I needed to be "in" the Word more than what my devotional readings were giving me. The OT part I am reading is in Deuteronomy. Moses is preparing to die and the Israelites are preparing to cross over to the promised land. The part that really caught my attention yesterday was that Moses was to write down a song for the Israelites so that they and their children would remember what the Lord had done for them in the past and also how the Israelites had disobeyed God and the consequences of their many disobedience's. The main point for me was to "write it down" lest we forget how we have seen God's Hand at work.
This past weekend was totally unreal for Bob and I and we are shouting God's praises for the whole world to hear. This was the third week of chemo. Bob had had yukky side affects the first two weekends especially the second weekend (Easter) so we were prepared for the worst seeing that this was the week three accumulation. Long story short----very,very minimal yukky side affects, no bloating, minor cramping and minor neuropathy. We kept waiting until we were almost giddy----Praise God for His mercy. Oh me of little faith I waited until Bob came home from work last evening---Bob didn't have to come home early and didn't use his walking stick and didn't have any delayed side affects. So like Thomas I could now totally say: "My Lord and My God" you are alive, alive, alive (sounds like the song) and totally care about us and gave Bob's body relief from the drugs' negative affects. This next week is drug free. Bob is back to see the oncologist on the 17th and back on chemo Friday the 19th.
We totally know and appreciate the prayers of the so very many who are praying for Bob. God heard and answered your prayers and our prayers in such a real miraculous----hmmm---"sightful way" for us.
Now, I have recorded this time of mercy and know God's hand and so in times of doubt, fear and panic I will read this post and say "my God is faithful, He will never leave us or forsake us."
This past weekend was totally unreal for Bob and I and we are shouting God's praises for the whole world to hear. This was the third week of chemo. Bob had had yukky side affects the first two weekends especially the second weekend (Easter) so we were prepared for the worst seeing that this was the week three accumulation. Long story short----very,very minimal yukky side affects, no bloating, minor cramping and minor neuropathy. We kept waiting until we were almost giddy----Praise God for His mercy. Oh me of little faith I waited until Bob came home from work last evening---Bob didn't have to come home early and didn't use his walking stick and didn't have any delayed side affects. So like Thomas I could now totally say: "My Lord and My God" you are alive, alive, alive (sounds like the song) and totally care about us and gave Bob's body relief from the drugs' negative affects. This next week is drug free. Bob is back to see the oncologist on the 17th and back on chemo Friday the 19th.
We totally know and appreciate the prayers of the so very many who are praying for Bob. God heard and answered your prayers and our prayers in such a real miraculous----hmmm---"sightful way" for us.
Now, I have recorded this time of mercy and know God's hand and so in times of doubt, fear and panic I will read this post and say "my God is faithful, He will never leave us or forsake us."
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Easter---2013
Easter is here once again. Spring is here. It is a time of renewal, a time to once again be reminded what Jesus did on the cross, He didn't just die. He died with my sins heaped upon him, but not only mine---the sins of everyone in the whole, big world--past, present and future. Jesus took those sins so that I do not receive the punishment that I deserve for my sins and sinful nature. Jesus received my punishment. That truth becomes more real and more poignant as I become older and know Jesus better. However Jesus didn't stay dead---He rose from the dead, not as an apparition, as a human being in the flesh, who could enjoy having a meal with his followers. Afterward He ascended into heaven and is with God the Father. The many truths from the bible that are associated with Jesus' death and resurrection make me beholden to Jesus. Each year Easter brings all these thoughts and truths to the forefront once again.
My friend Nancy sent the following and after you read the whole story of the salesmen think about how Easter reminds us of our need to follow Him and become more like Him.
My friend Nancy sent the following and after you read the whole story of the salesmen think about how Easter reminds us of our need to follow Him and become more like Him.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did. The 16-year-old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her; no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?” She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride ... and he wondered. He gently went back and said, "No, I am nothing like Jesus - He is good, kind, caring, loving, and would never have bumped into your display in the first place.
"The girl gently nodded: "I only asked because I prayed for Jesus to help me gather the apples. He sent you to help me, so you are like Him - only He knows who will do His will. Thank you for hearing His call, Mister."
Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"
Do people mistake you for Jesus?
That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.
If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day .
You are the apple of His eye even though you, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked up you and me on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.
Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know...."Being happy doesn't mean everything is perfect.
It means you've decided to see beyond the imperfections
Friday, March 22, 2013
Double Whammy
Bob left the house this morning in somber acceptance of the day and days ahead. He is back to the chemo regime and knows what the next three weeks will hold. These past weeks have been the worst because on top of the chemo, he got that terrible cold that has been making the rounds everywhere. I have never heard anyone cough so much. For sure no sleeping, (Bob thinks people over rate sleep anyway LOL), and we now have shares in every tissue manufacturer there is, in the western world. HOWEVER.
Bob was at the cancer clinic on Wed. March 20. This was his regular appointment with Dr. Bahlis. We praise God The Father,,,,,, again as He has used these drugs to beat back the cancer again. Halleluja!!! Bob had had a fair number of lesions on different parts of his skeleton at the last PET scan but the scan that was taken a couple of weeks ago--Mar.7??- didn't light up so the active spots of cancer were routed!!!! This is such amazing news, as we were somewhat concerned with the number of cancer spots that Bob had in his body. The doc has decided that Bob will finish 3 more rounds of chemo with all 3 drugs. This will take 3 months---up to summer. For the summer the thinking is that Bob will just have 1 drug for chemo--Revlamid--making the side affects somewhat tolerable and minimal. This will be a maintenance dose, my thinking anyway. Perhaps we will now begin thinking of leaving the city for a road trip??? Some people think that travelling is a given so if it is a given in your life go for it, while you can do it easily. That part of our new normal is not a given, and even knowing that we are not travellers, it still feels constrictive when you know travelling isn't an easy given. Of course, I only need to look at Tim and Barbie and realize that my new normal is easy.
Speaking of Tim, his pressure sore is pretty much all healed---praise God. Once he was put on the list for surgery because the sore wasn't healing, Tim decided he was no longer staying in bed!!! He has been up and doing the computer work for Trans Alta and spending time with the family----away from the bedroom. He is very conscience of tilting time and the sore began to heal. They have begun to tentatively, very tentatively, plan for a holiday using the money from the social that was held a year ago. God is faithful and is doing a work in our family. I need to take that one step farther away and say that God is also working in our Mike and his family.
Over the years many people--well mostly women---"older women!!!!! would be the prayer warriors. They would be in prayer faithfully and earnestly for the church, missionaries, families and situations around the world. They always amazed me and inspired me to be more diligent in prayer. I prayed but not the same as I am moved to pray now. I am thinking, that in my experience, I needed to come to the point that as a woman, wife and mom there was nothing, absolutely nothing I, me, myself could do to fix situations in our family. My doings were totally useless and often negative. That is when my head knowledge of how much God cared became my heart knowledge. I opened my hurts, cares, fears and everything I am and have to the Lord and asked Him to care for them. I pray somewhat differently always acknowledging that only God has any power to care for my family. I also concede that God does all things in His way and in His time. He didn't need me to help Him do His work. Prayer is so important and so freeing, I trust that now as an "older woman" I will honor God by being willing to pray for others. It has meant stepping back and allowing God to step forward into my life and the lives of those I love.
Bob was at the cancer clinic on Wed. March 20. This was his regular appointment with Dr. Bahlis. We praise God The Father,,,,,, again as He has used these drugs to beat back the cancer again. Halleluja!!! Bob had had a fair number of lesions on different parts of his skeleton at the last PET scan but the scan that was taken a couple of weeks ago--Mar.7??- didn't light up so the active spots of cancer were routed!!!! This is such amazing news, as we were somewhat concerned with the number of cancer spots that Bob had in his body. The doc has decided that Bob will finish 3 more rounds of chemo with all 3 drugs. This will take 3 months---up to summer. For the summer the thinking is that Bob will just have 1 drug for chemo--Revlamid--making the side affects somewhat tolerable and minimal. This will be a maintenance dose, my thinking anyway. Perhaps we will now begin thinking of leaving the city for a road trip??? Some people think that travelling is a given so if it is a given in your life go for it, while you can do it easily. That part of our new normal is not a given, and even knowing that we are not travellers, it still feels constrictive when you know travelling isn't an easy given. Of course, I only need to look at Tim and Barbie and realize that my new normal is easy.
Speaking of Tim, his pressure sore is pretty much all healed---praise God. Once he was put on the list for surgery because the sore wasn't healing, Tim decided he was no longer staying in bed!!! He has been up and doing the computer work for Trans Alta and spending time with the family----away from the bedroom. He is very conscience of tilting time and the sore began to heal. They have begun to tentatively, very tentatively, plan for a holiday using the money from the social that was held a year ago. God is faithful and is doing a work in our family. I need to take that one step farther away and say that God is also working in our Mike and his family.
Over the years many people--well mostly women---"older women!!!!! would be the prayer warriors. They would be in prayer faithfully and earnestly for the church, missionaries, families and situations around the world. They always amazed me and inspired me to be more diligent in prayer. I prayed but not the same as I am moved to pray now. I am thinking, that in my experience, I needed to come to the point that as a woman, wife and mom there was nothing, absolutely nothing I, me, myself could do to fix situations in our family. My doings were totally useless and often negative. That is when my head knowledge of how much God cared became my heart knowledge. I opened my hurts, cares, fears and everything I am and have to the Lord and asked Him to care for them. I pray somewhat differently always acknowledging that only God has any power to care for my family. I also concede that God does all things in His way and in His time. He didn't need me to help Him do His work. Prayer is so important and so freeing, I trust that now as an "older woman" I will honor God by being willing to pray for others. It has meant stepping back and allowing God to step forward into my life and the lives of those I love.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
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."
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."
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
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.
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.
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