Friday, June 5, 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

3 comments:

Unknown said...

awesome that the news is good. Fatigue is God's way of saying slow down buddy, Listen!!!!!

I realize how much you love your work, and that it truly is a ministry to you, but right now getting better is also a ministry that you need to be atentive to.

Unknown said...

So, you're involved with a program called RevAssist. Coincidence?

Thank God and Celgene that Poindexter is going away!

Deacon John said...

RevAssist. I hadn't noticed that, or at least missed the connection. Who know's? The Spirit's ways are mysterious indeed.
And I promise, with you reminders, to take care of myself.
Hope to see you soon.