I've had some kidney issues over the past months, and after a lot of testing at a number of different clinics, I have been diagnosed with amyloidosis.
- Amyloid is an abnormal protein that is produced in the bone marrow and it can be deposited in any tissue or organ. In my case, it appears to have deposited primarily in my kidneys. - Because amyloidosis is rare (8 cases per year per million people), my hematologist sent me to Mayo Clinic, which has one of the best amyloidosis clinics in the world and is only a 90-minute drive from where we live. - Instead of having to wait for a consultation originally scheduled for Oct. 17, the Lord graciously opened the door for me to be at Mayo both yesterday and today. My hematologist, Dr. Prashant Kapoor, is one of over 20 doctors and researchers at Mayo specializing in amyloidosis. - I'll be back at Mayo on Friday, Sept. 29 for more tests - mostly to confirm earlier findings and get the necessary insurance authorizations. But we're cautiously optimistic, as the preliminary results suggest that my treatment schedule may be chemotherapy for the next 12 to 36 months, which may postpone the need for a bone marrow transplant for the shorter - or longer - term.
Hopefully, that brings you up to speed on what's happening on this end. We are so grateful for your prayers and grateful for each of you because of the richness of relationship that you bring to our lives.
Despite the uncertainty of the days, we are convinced that God's got this, and that His ways are good. So we rest in that.
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