Here We Go!!!

Well, as of yesterday, our Dave has 99.9% decided to go ahead with the Stem Cell Transplant. He will be calling the Docs at Dana Farber in the next week, to set up an appointment to discuss the preliminary procedures and the time table. Everything has to happen within a certain time limit, and now is the time.
For two reasons, first from a medical standpoint, the Myeloma is in a dormant stage and this is the best time to get the healthy stem cells to transplant, and second, from an emotional standpoint, Dave is in the best spirits that he has been in since the inception of this life changing situation.
His outlook, from all angles, looks very good. There will be a period of 'at the edge' kind of drama, but so far he has shown us that he is capable of handling the 'cliffhangers'.
What a guy!! We are blessed to be able to call him husband, Daddy, son, brother, and friend.
So, here we go-please sign his guestbook so that he can have your comforting and happy messages to bring with him to the hospital. Your words are his best medicine.
Keep a happy thought.
Marilyn

Score: Dave/1st place-Myeloma/2nd place

You gotta love that:-) Dave and Kathy had an appointment with Dr. Anamur today and he said that based on the results of the tests that were taken last week (minus an MRI-which they will do on Monday), it appears that the nasty Myeloma has gone into hiding! The Chemo treatments have knocked it down to a 'dormant' stage. This means that the 'Cancer' ride at the carnival has slowed down a bit!! Woo-Hoo!! It also means that the time has come for Dave to make that decision about whether he should consider the 'Autologous Stem Cell Transplant' ride. Dr. Anamur will be speaking with the doctor at Dana Farber this week to discuss Dave's situation and we will know more next week. Dr. Anamur explained to Dave and Kathy that this would be the best time to do the transplant, given the dormancy of the cancer. But there is an awful lot to think about. If you are interested in reading more about it-click on the link below.
He will be continuing with the Chemo sessions through the summer.
I know I've asked this of all of you so many times, and for good reason, it has worked so far.
So, keep that happy thought, would ya?-and thanks a bunch for it:-)
Marilyn


http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/treatments/3.03.02.php

A Little Chit-Chat

I spoke with Dave yesterday and he had some (actually, quite a few) test this week. The Doc's are giving him a complete evaluation, to see where all of his issues are at the moment. He even has to see the dentist! So we should have some results by next weeks end.
Brian Corey took him for an ice cream today! There's some happy news. Thanks Brian, I bet Dave loved that.
Dave takes such good care of himself, in the way of eating all the right stuff, ice cream must have tasted mighty nice.
Let's keep our fingers crossed for good news.
Keep it happy,
Marilyn

Thanks a Mil!!!

I would like to take a moment to thank those of you who have signed Dave's Guest Book and encourage those of you who haven't, to please do so. He enjoys reading them over and over. These messages to Dave are just another way that we can help him stay focused on healing, and as I have said before, there is nothing stronger than the Human Connection. The intense energy that comes from caring and loving, is the one thing that we can give him.
I would also like to express my gratitude to all of you for the compliments and support that I have received concerning this Blog. It has been a wonderful way for all of us to communicate.
There is not much change with Dave's medical status at this point. I am going to give him a call or a visit today and will update you if there is any news. What I do know is that the Docs are taking lots of tests this week. (Off Chemo week!) So we should have some answers by weeks end. I know that he is not feeling well in the AM part of the day. Nausea. But he does recover in the afternoon.
During these times when he is not feeling so well, it's nice to know that he has a Book that he can go to and get some encouraging words from friends and family. Or a joke or two. Laughter is still the best medicine, so they tell me!! Giggle
Keep a happy thought.
Marilyn