Soooo we are into a month of no cancer. This was confirmed by the testing done this past week. The protein free light chain was unchanged. The monoclonal #1 was at .5 a month ago and was not tested or the test had not come back by our May 30 appointment. All the folks we are in contact with at Tom Baker were excited and happy for Bob. I believe that even Dr. B is in awe of this. He won't call it remission until several more months have passed. One thing he said was "that I will never give up on a patient". Then added "don't take that the wrong way". We will let you interpret that however you desire.
So Bob has fought tooth and nail for a decade. I was thinking about some of the things that happened in the past decade. Our son was married to Cori, we went to Arizona, grandkids graduated and others left school. We were blessed with four more grandkids, the oldest is now 9. We moved from a house to a condo. I left my job at the preschool at stem cell transplant time. Bob retired and was honoured by the company. We had at least 4 different vehicles. We took 3 kids on a trip to BC. We made several trips to Niagara Falls. Bob's dad passed away. We also had several friends and relatives pass away. We went on a helicopter ride over the Falls. Lots of life going on in a decade. Think about what happened in your life this past decade.
As we try and understand what a real remission means we are at a loss. Don't get me wrong we are totally thankful and praise our Lord for His great mercy to Bob. Bob's physical body is dealing with the ravages of this fight. Dr. B has said that it could take up to a year for the bones to BEGIN to repair themselves as the cells needed for repair are hiding.????? Naturally there may be holes that never heal. Bob's spine has also been affected. All that to say Bob does not really feel any different today than he did 30 days ago. The first adrenalin surge has passed. I think we thought we could go back to precancer and Bob would be able to do everything and anything. So we will take this day by day. We trust God for each day and what He has for us each day. We pray that we can serve and will be able to know what that looks like. Then take each month as it comes and trust remission would be a real word in our vocabulary.
Bob is still on the 3 chemo treatments. Altho Dr. B thought one extra week off is great idea. I think the doc doesn't want to stop treatments yet. The what ifs pop back in and why perhaps allow the cancer to start again? Would it?
This is a new trail on this cancer road and we will be learning how to navigate it. Trusting God to show the way. Psalm 119:105--Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.
Friday, June 1, 2018
Monday, May 7, 2018
CEASE FIRE
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.
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.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
DOMINOES
The game of dominoes that I play with Bob is fairly relaxed. We go about matching the dots at a fairly even pace but with the anticipation that one of us will not be able to make a play and who will that be? With just the two of us playing, the game can go on for a bit and we become comfortable with the play. Once in awhile we have stood the dominoes on edge and did the little swirl and then touched the first one and watched them fall one after the other in a neat row even around the swirl.
Today is Wed. and already we have seen a live game of dominoes take place this week. We were becoming somewhat comfortable with Bob's health. Nothing new was happening as far as the cancer went. The dots were matching up. Perhaps we were a bit frustrated as even tho the dots matched we weren't really winning either. Last week Bob had an MRI done of his neck and upper spine. On Friday Bob's oncologist called saying he would like to go over the results with us. This was somewhat unusual as he always did that sort of thing at the scheduled appointments. We met with Dr. Bahlis and all of a sudden the game changed. We have a picture of the MRI and are able to clearly see what has happened and understand what we were told. I will quote-more or less--from the findings: Destructive lesions are again demonstrated at C3 and C7 progressed as compared to previous, pathological fracture at C3 with approx two thirds loss of height, retropulsion and epidural tumor, eccentric to the left resulting in mild cord compression, pathological fracture at C7 at approx 25% loss of height anteriorly and extending into the anterior epidural space on the right effacing the thecal sac and slightly flattening the anterolateral cord without evidence of cord suppression. Mild disc disease is noted at multiple levels. There are some other notes but the above notes were what put the upright dominoes into play. Lab work, wait to see the oncologist radiologist, this doc is straight forward, 'we do radiation on those two sites, cord compression will lead to paralysis", then to radiation department, CT scan, then the marks for radiation, mask made to keep the head from moving during treatment and at 5:15 the first radiation treatment. That is a lot of falling dominoes over a short period of time. Today Bob was back for the second radiation treatment. There will be 5 all together.
Our oncologist also talked about surgery at the C3 point. Everything will be re-evaluated once radiation is complete. Unless notified differently our next appointment is the 28th. Having a collar for Bob seemed to be something both docs mentioned but that was as far as that went. Bob was told to be careful with no sudden movements or head jerks????? Tomorrow we see the oncology radiologist before radiation and will ask him about a collar and how to go about getting one. The collar is Barbie's biggest concern what with all the pot holes etc. Amazing, one day we don't know and continue on with life and then freak out the next because we do know.
We are thankful for friends who are taking Bob to radiation and to our family for their prayers and continuing source of information!!!!! We are thankful for the medical people and the actions they take to deal with Bob's cancer. Should you be one who prays please pray for much wisdom for these doctors and all the medical teams. Pray for our mental health, our physical health and our spiritual health. Pray that we will not doubt that God is still on the throne of our lives.
Today is Wed. and already we have seen a live game of dominoes take place this week. We were becoming somewhat comfortable with Bob's health. Nothing new was happening as far as the cancer went. The dots were matching up. Perhaps we were a bit frustrated as even tho the dots matched we weren't really winning either. Last week Bob had an MRI done of his neck and upper spine. On Friday Bob's oncologist called saying he would like to go over the results with us. This was somewhat unusual as he always did that sort of thing at the scheduled appointments. We met with Dr. Bahlis and all of a sudden the game changed. We have a picture of the MRI and are able to clearly see what has happened and understand what we were told. I will quote-more or less--from the findings: Destructive lesions are again demonstrated at C3 and C7 progressed as compared to previous, pathological fracture at C3 with approx two thirds loss of height, retropulsion and epidural tumor, eccentric to the left resulting in mild cord compression, pathological fracture at C7 at approx 25% loss of height anteriorly and extending into the anterior epidural space on the right effacing the thecal sac and slightly flattening the anterolateral cord without evidence of cord suppression. Mild disc disease is noted at multiple levels. There are some other notes but the above notes were what put the upright dominoes into play. Lab work, wait to see the oncologist radiologist, this doc is straight forward, 'we do radiation on those two sites, cord compression will lead to paralysis", then to radiation department, CT scan, then the marks for radiation, mask made to keep the head from moving during treatment and at 5:15 the first radiation treatment. That is a lot of falling dominoes over a short period of time. Today Bob was back for the second radiation treatment. There will be 5 all together.
Our oncologist also talked about surgery at the C3 point. Everything will be re-evaluated once radiation is complete. Unless notified differently our next appointment is the 28th. Having a collar for Bob seemed to be something both docs mentioned but that was as far as that went. Bob was told to be careful with no sudden movements or head jerks????? Tomorrow we see the oncology radiologist before radiation and will ask him about a collar and how to go about getting one. The collar is Barbie's biggest concern what with all the pot holes etc. Amazing, one day we don't know and continue on with life and then freak out the next because we do know.
We are thankful for friends who are taking Bob to radiation and to our family for their prayers and continuing source of information!!!!! We are thankful for the medical people and the actions they take to deal with Bob's cancer. Should you be one who prays please pray for much wisdom for these doctors and all the medical teams. Pray for our mental health, our physical health and our spiritual health. Pray that we will not doubt that God is still on the throne of our lives.
Sunday, February 11, 2018
February 2018-----Happy Valenines Day
We, as Canadians, make a big deal out of Valentines Day. Show those you love how special they are. Chocolate, lots of chocolate, roses, hearts and a sea of red and pink are to be part of the celebration. Yesterday we gave our three youngest grandkids their valentine treat. They had no clue what these heart shaped boxes of chocolate were. I gave them hints: did your teacher tell you about cutting out heart shapes, did you buy valentine cards to give to your friends? Nik, being very perceptive says is it about girls? Yeah, kinda. So each of you, get with the programme and let those you love know it!!!!
In Sept Bob had radiation on his spine and since that time he has not had the horrid pain in his hip or back. That has now been five months of celebrating Valentines day. He only takes small amounts of opiates and has functioned at his new normal pace. Bob was even able to do two pieces of glass. He had given that up, so being able to do the glass was a positive. He has been able to drive wherever we went. Bob drove himself to his last infusion. For me this time has been me not being on the edge of the cliff, being able to breath.
The last two visits to the oncologist have shown the cancer markers going up. Don't get me wrong they only went up a wee bit and all the med people celebrated how great Bob is doing. All I can see is the graph going the other way. I guess I am a glass half empty person. Bob has been sleeping so much more and not getting up for night snacks, sleeping until like ten am. He has now started to have pain again in his back and hips. I hate it!!!! It means more pain med, new drugs, chances of all past events happening again. Today I have lost my grip, the anchor is slipping and I am afraid. This is not who I have been and I struggle with it.
Please pray that the pain in Bob will not get worse. Pray that I can do this with the Lord holding onto both of us. Pray that God's love that is with us every day will shine through us to our world.
In Sept Bob had radiation on his spine and since that time he has not had the horrid pain in his hip or back. That has now been five months of celebrating Valentines day. He only takes small amounts of opiates and has functioned at his new normal pace. Bob was even able to do two pieces of glass. He had given that up, so being able to do the glass was a positive. He has been able to drive wherever we went. Bob drove himself to his last infusion. For me this time has been me not being on the edge of the cliff, being able to breath.
The last two visits to the oncologist have shown the cancer markers going up. Don't get me wrong they only went up a wee bit and all the med people celebrated how great Bob is doing. All I can see is the graph going the other way. I guess I am a glass half empty person. Bob has been sleeping so much more and not getting up for night snacks, sleeping until like ten am. He has now started to have pain again in his back and hips. I hate it!!!! It means more pain med, new drugs, chances of all past events happening again. Today I have lost my grip, the anchor is slipping and I am afraid. This is not who I have been and I struggle with it.
Please pray that the pain in Bob will not get worse. Pray that I can do this with the Lord holding onto both of us. Pray that God's love that is with us every day will shine through us to our world.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
THE CHRISTMAS JOURNEY 2017
Merry Christmas to each of you who are reading this blog. Some on paper and some on blogspot. I have been posting something about the cancer journey, Bob has been on, for these many years. I think people may get tired of hearing about our journey and our prayer requests. Perhaps fatigue over the same old thing or perhaps just the fact that so many of us are on our own personal journey with many different tough situations. However when you think of us please do offer a prayer for Bob for lack of pain, quality of life in keeping with his health. Pray that I will not allow myself to slip into morose. Pray that I will continue gracefully loving and caring for my Bob.
For Bob December began and continued on from November. The pain in behind his ear radiates to his shoulder and now down the jaw. The jaw also has tingling and numbness. Our family doc gave Bob a viral cream to put in the ear. The ear is pretty much clear. The green gucky stuff is gone. Bob went back to the family doc who looked back at the Aug. PET scan and thought that the lesions (tumors) on C3 and T1 may be causing the problem by pushing on something. We got in to see our oncologist yesterday, like a Christmas miracle, on one day notice.
An aside here: Last week at the end of the week Bob received a call from Alberta Lab services that they wanted to redo the lab results that they had done 2 weeks ago. Bob went in this past Monday with the 24 hr urine and the blood work was also redone. That happened before our appointment with the family doc or the appointment with the oncologist. God always has our back!!!!!!!! We told the oncology nurse that this had been done and she was amazed that she had not been informed. This requisition had come from the lab.
As we met with our oncologist the results that he was looking at were only days old and Bob is only in the middle of his cycle. Once again the cancer markers are down and this in 2 weeks. For my medical people: Kappa Free down to 33.39 from34.2 which is going in the right direction Lambda Free1.83 from .28 also going in the right direction which put the ratio at 18.25 from 122.14 which is also the right direction. Urine protein .12 well in the normal range. Praise God kidneys are fine. Neutrophils 2.3 in the normal range---just but there!!!!! Once again Dr. B so "over the moon" with these numbers as Bob is part of his research. He assured us that he did not believe this pain was from the multiple myeloma lesions. He believes there may be an infection in the mucus??!!!!! behind the ear. He gave a name to this which I did not write down and which I couldn't find thru doc google since the name had kind of escaped me. sighhhhhh. He gave Bob a prescription for a different antibiotic this is a sulfa antibiotic. However he is ordering a MRI for the base of the skull to cover all the bases. Should Bob get better with the antibiotic then we are to cancel the MRI.
That is the medical journey thus far this month. :-} .
Since this is also partly our Christmas letter I will let you know that our families are both in a relatively stable condition. All are working or studying, or still attending school. They are all healthy. They, well at least the little ones are growing like weeds. The older ones don't want to grow in either direction. Our youngest grandchild is closing in on 5 and our oldest well on his way to 21.
We get to spend time with them regularly as both Mike and Barbie and their families live close. This has been a huge blessing for Bob and I.
Each family member is on a unique journey of their own. Learning new skills, packing away knowledge, learning about people and situations that have to be dealt with. We are proud of each and every one of them.
The most important Christmas journey was the one that Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. This journey had been foretold in scripture through the prophets centuries earlier. Bethlehem was to be the place where the Savior of the world was to be born. Sadly Jesus was not who most of the world wanted as a Savior. He did not have an army to over throw the Romans. Even though Jesus healed many people physically He did not heal everyone. Jesus did not make 'life on earth" perfect for anyone. The journey of Jesus to earth and then his death on the cross and His Resurrection do give us an amazing way to live on earth. He promises to never leave or forsake us. He dwells within us. He gives us His strength, His wisdom, His peace, His love, His joy.
Once we accept Jesus as King of our lives and confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Savior and we want Him to journey with us through this life. We will live eternally in heaven and continue to praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ forever.
Now that is a journey worth being on.
For Bob December began and continued on from November. The pain in behind his ear radiates to his shoulder and now down the jaw. The jaw also has tingling and numbness. Our family doc gave Bob a viral cream to put in the ear. The ear is pretty much clear. The green gucky stuff is gone. Bob went back to the family doc who looked back at the Aug. PET scan and thought that the lesions (tumors) on C3 and T1 may be causing the problem by pushing on something. We got in to see our oncologist yesterday, like a Christmas miracle, on one day notice.
An aside here: Last week at the end of the week Bob received a call from Alberta Lab services that they wanted to redo the lab results that they had done 2 weeks ago. Bob went in this past Monday with the 24 hr urine and the blood work was also redone. That happened before our appointment with the family doc or the appointment with the oncologist. God always has our back!!!!!!!! We told the oncology nurse that this had been done and she was amazed that she had not been informed. This requisition had come from the lab.
As we met with our oncologist the results that he was looking at were only days old and Bob is only in the middle of his cycle. Once again the cancer markers are down and this in 2 weeks. For my medical people: Kappa Free down to 33.39 from34.2 which is going in the right direction Lambda Free1.83 from .28 also going in the right direction which put the ratio at 18.25 from 122.14 which is also the right direction. Urine protein .12 well in the normal range. Praise God kidneys are fine. Neutrophils 2.3 in the normal range---just but there!!!!! Once again Dr. B so "over the moon" with these numbers as Bob is part of his research. He assured us that he did not believe this pain was from the multiple myeloma lesions. He believes there may be an infection in the mucus??!!!!! behind the ear. He gave a name to this which I did not write down and which I couldn't find thru doc google since the name had kind of escaped me. sighhhhhh. He gave Bob a prescription for a different antibiotic this is a sulfa antibiotic. However he is ordering a MRI for the base of the skull to cover all the bases. Should Bob get better with the antibiotic then we are to cancel the MRI.
That is the medical journey thus far this month. :-} .
Since this is also partly our Christmas letter I will let you know that our families are both in a relatively stable condition. All are working or studying, or still attending school. They are all healthy. They, well at least the little ones are growing like weeds. The older ones don't want to grow in either direction. Our youngest grandchild is closing in on 5 and our oldest well on his way to 21.
We get to spend time with them regularly as both Mike and Barbie and their families live close. This has been a huge blessing for Bob and I.
Each family member is on a unique journey of their own. Learning new skills, packing away knowledge, learning about people and situations that have to be dealt with. We are proud of each and every one of them.
The most important Christmas journey was the one that Mary and Joseph made to Bethlehem over two thousand years ago. This journey had been foretold in scripture through the prophets centuries earlier. Bethlehem was to be the place where the Savior of the world was to be born. Sadly Jesus was not who most of the world wanted as a Savior. He did not have an army to over throw the Romans. Even though Jesus healed many people physically He did not heal everyone. Jesus did not make 'life on earth" perfect for anyone. The journey of Jesus to earth and then his death on the cross and His Resurrection do give us an amazing way to live on earth. He promises to never leave or forsake us. He dwells within us. He gives us His strength, His wisdom, His peace, His love, His joy.
Once we accept Jesus as King of our lives and confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Savior and we want Him to journey with us through this life. We will live eternally in heaven and continue to praise and worship our Lord Jesus Christ forever.
Now that is a journey worth being on.
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
TILT A WHIRL NOV. 2017
Another month of up and down and all around. Kinda like a tilt-a-whirl at the mid-way rides.
Bob spent four days in the hospital before Hallowe'en. Bob spiked a fever and had the chills, sweats and shakes so off we went to emergency. Bob had just finished a course of antibiotics for a nasty ear infection and was still on antibiotic drops. I cannot imagine how any germs are left inside of his body as Bob was put on some heavy duty IV antibiotics. His blood count was low again. He was also a bit on the dehydrated side. The saline soon had him nice and plumped up in short order and of course using the washroom a lot.
However, with all the testing, even a CT of his head, a site of infection was not readily determined. Bob then came home on another round of oral antibiotics.
The next week was our Tom Baker Cancer Care visits. Up, up we went this time. The protein that the oncologist follows as the cancer marker was low. This blew us away as we expected something totally different. The numbers were as low as they have been in the nine year, four month battle!!!! I have never seen so much teeth showing on Dr. B's face. So we went ahead for Bob to continue on the current regime the next day. Why take a chance that the cancer would go the other way? Even in only a weeks delay. Before one of the chemos will be dropped Bob's protein numbers would have to remain stable for three to four months. He is on four chemo drugs all oral but the one, so getting off of chemo isn't happening any time soon. Multiple Myeloma would pop up without having a sword at it's throat so chemo will always Bob's normal. Bob is handling the side affects well for now. He is tired and sleeps a fair bit depending on the day. He is also rather week so lots of sitting or walking is not good. In all actuality though, this normal is doable for both of us.
Down, down we went the other day. Bob had to meet with our GP after the hospital stay. His appt was this past Mon. Dr. G took another swab of the ear. He said he wanted to be sure there was no lingering infection. Today Bob can hear? can sense? the same popping in his ear. He called the GP and got an appointment for next week, BUT with the advice to phone at 8:00am tomorrow and they may have a cancellation and they will fit him in.
We have cast all our worries and anxiety at the Lord's feet. In truth, we have ceased to worry about this cancer or the days ahead BUT as each incident comes along we do our best to battle the cancer. Bob is a guinea pig of sorts now and our desire is that a cure will be found not only for multiple myeloma but for all cancers. This is an insidious disease that robs victims and families of a life that we think we should have. Hope for eternal life with Jesus is a real and promised hope, the life we think we should have will be gone but heaven is for ever. Praise God.
Bob spent four days in the hospital before Hallowe'en. Bob spiked a fever and had the chills, sweats and shakes so off we went to emergency. Bob had just finished a course of antibiotics for a nasty ear infection and was still on antibiotic drops. I cannot imagine how any germs are left inside of his body as Bob was put on some heavy duty IV antibiotics. His blood count was low again. He was also a bit on the dehydrated side. The saline soon had him nice and plumped up in short order and of course using the washroom a lot.
However, with all the testing, even a CT of his head, a site of infection was not readily determined. Bob then came home on another round of oral antibiotics.
The next week was our Tom Baker Cancer Care visits. Up, up we went this time. The protein that the oncologist follows as the cancer marker was low. This blew us away as we expected something totally different. The numbers were as low as they have been in the nine year, four month battle!!!! I have never seen so much teeth showing on Dr. B's face. So we went ahead for Bob to continue on the current regime the next day. Why take a chance that the cancer would go the other way? Even in only a weeks delay. Before one of the chemos will be dropped Bob's protein numbers would have to remain stable for three to four months. He is on four chemo drugs all oral but the one, so getting off of chemo isn't happening any time soon. Multiple Myeloma would pop up without having a sword at it's throat so chemo will always Bob's normal. Bob is handling the side affects well for now. He is tired and sleeps a fair bit depending on the day. He is also rather week so lots of sitting or walking is not good. In all actuality though, this normal is doable for both of us.
Down, down we went the other day. Bob had to meet with our GP after the hospital stay. His appt was this past Mon. Dr. G took another swab of the ear. He said he wanted to be sure there was no lingering infection. Today Bob can hear? can sense? the same popping in his ear. He called the GP and got an appointment for next week, BUT with the advice to phone at 8:00am tomorrow and they may have a cancellation and they will fit him in.
We have cast all our worries and anxiety at the Lord's feet. In truth, we have ceased to worry about this cancer or the days ahead BUT as each incident comes along we do our best to battle the cancer. Bob is a guinea pig of sorts now and our desire is that a cure will be found not only for multiple myeloma but for all cancers. This is an insidious disease that robs victims and families of a life that we think we should have. Hope for eternal life with Jesus is a real and promised hope, the life we think we should have will be gone but heaven is for ever. Praise God.
Sunday, October 8, 2017
THANKSGIVING and ACCEPTANCE
Happy Thanksgiving. The season truly is a time to be grateful for all the things we have plus all of the people we have in our lives. We have been given such a huge privilege to have been born in Canada or to have immigrated to Canada. I was reminded this week though, through our ladies bible study, that we are all exiles here on earth. We will one day go into eternity. Jesus died for us on the cross, rose again and has gone to prepare a place for us in heaven. What a hope to live with, once we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and follow Him with our lives.
I suppose the reality is----- that with all this great news Bob does not feel well. That slows both of us down. We are so very grateful for the cancer results, don't get me wrong. I guess we thought that as the cancer was getting clobbered with the chemo drugs; Bob would get back more energy, more excitement, be stronger, last physically longer in situations. That however is not the case. The pain is now pretty much under control. Bob is pleased with the control. Amazing pain team from TB so our conclusion was yippy here we go. This week as we pondered and prayed and we came (well Bob came) to the acceptance that this cancer sucks, and now into all the treatments for more than nine years, his body was not going to recover. He has accepted that and as he continues to fight this cancer it is what it is and he will enjoy as much as he can. What the doctors are doing now is learning as much as they can about the protocols and combinations of chemo. Bob will stay on the monthly darzalex infusion along with once a week dex, with 3 weeks of pomalyst and 1 week off, plus every other day of cyclophosphomide. Pray with us that his organs will continue to hold out well. Bob has some stomach issues but so far they can be dealt with. Pray that Bob's blood work will stay in a healthy range. This week he needed to take filgrastim as the neutrophils were to low. These are needed to fight infection. Soooooo Bob will be having blood work done each week to watch the neutraphil level. We had a perscription for the filgrastim to be filled this week. The dose is already in needle form. We got 6 needles, so if the counts are down Bob will be contacted and will take a dose----in the tummy!!!!!! Cost---1600.$$$ Praise God senior's blue cross covered it.
We are so thankful for the health care Bob has received here in Calgary. Thankful for everything we have, thankful for our family and their love and care. Thankful for our church family and for the friends we have made here as well as the friends we have across Canada. Please be grateful this Thanksgiving weekend for your life and situation, more importantly be thankful every day. Be content and accepting of what each of us have been given. Hugs to all.
This passed week was our full out doctor week. The lab work we were given was complete and tells us that the protein numbers that follow the cancer are once again lower than last month. The bone marrow biopsy was super. The sample showed that the myeloma cells have diminished and there were only a few in the sample. The radiation was completed on the two active spots on the spine. This hasn't caused a lot of discomfort for Bob. Such a lot of great news. News that we were not actually expecting!!!!! So hurrah and hallelujah.
I suppose the reality is----- that with all this great news Bob does not feel well. That slows both of us down. We are so very grateful for the cancer results, don't get me wrong. I guess we thought that as the cancer was getting clobbered with the chemo drugs; Bob would get back more energy, more excitement, be stronger, last physically longer in situations. That however is not the case. The pain is now pretty much under control. Bob is pleased with the control. Amazing pain team from TB so our conclusion was yippy here we go. This week as we pondered and prayed and we came (well Bob came) to the acceptance that this cancer sucks, and now into all the treatments for more than nine years, his body was not going to recover. He has accepted that and as he continues to fight this cancer it is what it is and he will enjoy as much as he can. What the doctors are doing now is learning as much as they can about the protocols and combinations of chemo. Bob will stay on the monthly darzalex infusion along with once a week dex, with 3 weeks of pomalyst and 1 week off, plus every other day of cyclophosphomide. Pray with us that his organs will continue to hold out well. Bob has some stomach issues but so far they can be dealt with. Pray that Bob's blood work will stay in a healthy range. This week he needed to take filgrastim as the neutrophils were to low. These are needed to fight infection. Soooooo Bob will be having blood work done each week to watch the neutraphil level. We had a perscription for the filgrastim to be filled this week. The dose is already in needle form. We got 6 needles, so if the counts are down Bob will be contacted and will take a dose----in the tummy!!!!!! Cost---1600.$$$ Praise God senior's blue cross covered it.
We are so thankful for the health care Bob has received here in Calgary. Thankful for everything we have, thankful for our family and their love and care. Thankful for our church family and for the friends we have made here as well as the friends we have across Canada. Please be grateful this Thanksgiving weekend for your life and situation, more importantly be thankful every day. Be content and accepting of what each of us have been given. Hugs to all.
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