Hi Everyone!

It seems like so long ago that I wrote a journal entry, but it was only three weeks ago. Donnie has completed three months of treatments and is into his fourth month. We saw the lead doctor yesterday and he told us that Donnie is not just doing well, he is doing EXCELLENT!!!!! And is exceeding his expectations! PRAISE THE LORD! Donnie told me last week that he feels like he's turned a corner and continues to feel better everyday! One of the many things they are watching is Donnie's Lambda Free Light Chains. Donnie's number was at 90 in January and dropped to 3.59 last month. He said if this number was under three he would be very happy, if it was under two he would be very, very happy. We had to wait for his results to be uploaded to Donnie's MY Chart. We checked last night when we got home and it was down to 1.88. Praise God again!!!! Donnie is responding to the treatments very well. He is also done getting an Albumin infusion because his body is doing the work it should and doesn't need it anymore. Getting that infusion would take an hour and half each week, so we are thankful he is done with that.  However, he has a long way to go before he is close to being back to normal. He gets short of breath pretty easily still, because of the amyloid around his heart. This will take a few years to heal, unless of course God decides to heal him quicker. Now that the amyloid numbers are so much better in his plasma cells, his body will start healing itself.  His kidneys will take a few months, up to a year to heal and his heart longer as I said. Because of his medications Donnie's immune system is low, and because his kidneys and heart are also compromised we are doing our best to keep him healthy. He will be on this same weekly treatment plan until the middle of July.  Then he will receive his treatments once a month for a couple of years or maybe the rest of his life. Some people try going off the treatment plan after a few years and stay in remission and others notice through bloodwork that the amyloid are multiplying again, so obviously they stay on the treatment plan for life.  Donnie continues to sleep and eat well and has no pain or side effects. He's excited about getting a big garden in. He has a very great attitude about everything and continues to lay it all at the feet of Jesus, trusting HIM with everything, no matter what.  

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR KEEPING US IN YOUR PRAYERS! IT MEANS SO MUCH TO US!

Praises:

1. That Donnie is responding to his treatment plan as well as he is
2. For all the brilliant doctors Donnie sees at Mayo:  the lead doctor, a Hematologist, a Nephrologist, a Neurologist and a Cardiologist
3. For the many kind & caring nurses
4. For the great place to stay overnight when necessary because of early appointments
5. For all our safe travels 

Prayer requests:

1. That Donnie's kidneys & heart would heal quickly and not have any further damage
2. That Donnie stays healthy
3. Safe travels back and forth to Mayo
4. That his shortness of breath would get better

Nehemiah 8:10

The Joy of the Lord is your strength.

Kelly Z.