Revlamid, Steroids, Late Nights and New Toys

I started my second round of Revlimid today, or rather on Friday. The Docs have mentioned several more rounds of it, and I'm not sure what they mean, I hope they don't mean what I'm afraid they mean, pushing the transplant into late this year. I really want to get this done, for my sake, yes, but also for my donor sister. I don't want her to miss work if she does not have to. Ah well, all we can do is wait. Along with the Revlimid come the steroids, so little sleep tonight. That's why I'm posting this at nearly 2:00 AM EDT. I'm up late but I do have a new toy to play with. My wife and I bought the reduced price iPhone today, uh, Friday. No I didn't need it, and in different circumstances I probably would not have bought it. Not to get morbid, I simply decided that I wasn't to going to pass on any new experiences. If I have a chance to go somewhere I either want to see again or have not seen, I'm going. If there are friends I can see and enjoy time with, I will. If there is a meal I really want to try, I will. If there's something I want and it is reasonably possible, I will get it. I really can't be sure if I will get the chance again, so if God blesses me with the opportunity, I'm taking it. Selfish, maybe a little, but trust me I won't get silly, at least not to silly.
St. Peregrine, Pray for Us
Blessed John XXIII, Pray for Us
Deacon John
Feast of St. Cyril of Alexandria
June 27, 2009 (barely)

Closing in on the Transplant

We are definitely getting closer to the bone marrow transplant. Friday I had two of the tests the insurance company requires to make sure I won’t drop dead in the middle of the procedure. Despite everything my body has been through my organs still seem to be in pretty good shape. So, barring any odd results, we seem to be on the way. Since the tests were ordered, the insurance company must have approved the transplant. That makes it a good end to a not so hot week. Apparently, taking a break from dexamethasone and Revlimid, at least for me, ran me into a wall. The week started very well, but by mid week I crashed. But, I hung in there and I’m ok now. Monday I see my oncologist, to evaluate how Revlimid worked, and to get started on it again. I said last week started well because last Monday my wife and I celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary. That has made me all the more determined to beat Poindexter because 35 years with her simply is not enough. God has definitely blessed me by allowing me to share life with this remarkable woman. I want at least 35 more years, so Poindexter, you just can’t have me yet.

St. Peregrine, Pray for us
Blessed John XXIII, Pray for us
Deacon John
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 21, 2009

Revlimid is OK by Me

Today I saw my oncologist. It also happens to be the end of my second week on Revlimid.This drug is working wonderfully. The oncologist noted that my blood counts remain good, and that the plasmacytomasare going away. The only real side effect bothering me is fatigue. I will admit that I remain very tired, no matter how little I seem to do. Once Poindexter is in control, the dose of Revlimid can be adjusted to help compensate for the fatigue. I have been working part time, but I plan on pushing myself a bit more, and hopefully getting to a full time schedule in a couple of weeks. If, my wife and my boss and my co-workers will let me! The great thing is being nearly pain free. My ribs are still tender from the largest tumor, which is now virtually gone. I'm sure some kind of bone damage must have been done, but that's ok, I'll trade it for the move toward remission. All we can do now is jump through the insurance hoops and wait for the bone marrow transplant, donation courtesy of my youngest sister. I still can't find the words to express how much I owe her, and how grateful I am. I pray God's greatest blessings on her everyday. Ironically, my sister's 89 year old mother-in-law passed away a few weeks ago from...Multiple Myeloma. I think this has given my sister a perspective that no one else shares. Things are lining up, and I fully believe complete remission is just around the corner. Poindexter will not prevail. Keep praying for me as I pray for you.
St. Peregrine, Pray for Us.
Blessed John XXIII, Pray for Us.
Deacon John
Feast of St. Boniface
June 5, 2009