Mary Beth Rand

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Hello dear friends and family,
This first journal entry is to give you an account of Mary Beth's journey so far that has led to a diagnosis of cancer.  In late December when all of the family were on holiday in Hawaii, mom was experiencing quite severe chest and rib pain.  When the pain would not subside, mom and dad decided that it would be best for them to return home early from their holiday.  After a successful flight home, mom went to UBC urgent care the following morning and was diagnosed with possibly costochondritis.  A follow up CT scan was ordered for later that week.  Mom was also given pain medication to handle the pain. After the CT scan, the result came back that mom had bone lesions and that this was most likely multiple myeloma.  A bone scan last Tuesday confirmed the cancer diagnosis. This type of cancer is of the plasma cells in the bone and can cause bone lesions as well as other affects but mom has not yet experienced.  The hemotologists that mom, Jackie and dad spoke to on Friday, had recently returned from a conference in San Diego on the current treatment protocals for this very type of cancer.  They were excited to report to mom that they were starting a clinical trial that very day at VGH hospital. (coincedence, we don't think so).  Mom's doctors feel that she would be an ideal candidate for this clinical trial but she has to meet their credentials. Appointments are being made for this to happen. In the meantime, mom has been given steroids which will suppress the plasma cells that are multiplying in her bones and causing the lesions and the pain.  I am sure that after reading this story, you would all agree that God is in this and he is to be trusted with the best plan for mom.  In talking to mom yesterday, she would like to request that people update this caring bridge website as the best way of communicating with her.  As you can imagine, this has hit our whole family pretty hard and she needs to rest.  She knows that God is with her, protecting her, and has His best plan for her.  In the meantime, please pray for the following things:
1. That she will get an appointment with the clinical trial doctor to discuss if she would be a suitable candidate.
2.  Pray that the steroids that she is taking will do their job in suppressing the plasma cells in her bones.
3.  Pray for our whole family, especially dad as he takes on the role of care giver.  We are praying that the grandchildren will replace fear with faith. 
4.  Pray that God will restore mom to full health.

I know that all of you deeply care and love mom dearly.  She covets your prayers and support.  As practical needs arise, I will post them on the caring bridge website and if you are able you can respond to them.  May God be glorified through this difficult time.



Love,
Darrell Thomas
(middle daughter)