Hi Friends and Family-

                Well, I’m back to my normal pattern again of waiting for more results/conversations before updating and therefore it’s been a while. I noticed yesterday that I feel the anxiety coming on with some big labs coming up this week and I have learned that getting those worries out can be really beneficial. The Caring Bridge format has been a good way for me to journal, hear from you and it is always followed by a sense a peace (that transcends all understanding) I didn’t have before I updated. So, here it goes.

We started the new treatment plan in late January to attack the rising cancer markers with a new combination of drugs. I had to use a substitute drug the first month but the results were excellent. The cancer markers dropped significantly, and we felt relieved and so hopeful. My liver and kidneys did well with the new drug, Pomalyst. (This was the class of drug, an IMID, that I had previously been unable to take because my liver and kidneys couldn’t tolerate it.) Life felt lighter for the first time in months.

The Month 2 results were not as we expected. The cancer markers were down but only by 3 points and I was able to be on the Pomalyst the entire month. We were all a little perplexed. We met with Dr. Becnel from MD Anderson and she directed to keep on with the current plan and we’d see what the next month’s labs look like. One of the most positive things and praises was that I felt (and still feel) great. No symptoms, other than fatigue by the evening.

Month 3 labs came in and my cancer markers increased slightly (by 20 points). We were discouraged for sure as we have prayed and prayed and then prayed some more that this new treatment would work to drive the cancer back into remission and that doesn’t seem to be how things are going. We talked to Dr. Becnel again and she continues to encourage us to give the Pomalyst some time to work. She also made the decision to increase the dosage of the Pomalyst (one of the three drugs I’m taking with this regimen). Last night marked the beginning of month 5 and I started the increased dosage of Pomalyst.  

Here is where I come back to you all AGAIN humbly asking for prayer as a part of this update. This week, Wednesday, they will pull labs for Month 4. I didn’t start the increased dosage of Pomalyst until yesterday. (Side note: Pomalyst is incredibly challenging to get. I spent hours last week between insurance, the doctor’s office and two pharmacies trying to get the medication approved and delivered on time. It is a stressful and frustrating process that takes so much coordination that I end up having to be involved with and direct. Nobody talks to each other unless I get them on a conference call. A rant for another time BUT we got the medication approved and delivered on time for me to start this weekend with only one eruption of tears.) Unless Dr. Becnel is right and I need to give the Pomalyst time, the labs that come in this week probably won’t be awesome. As someone who has come to put a lot of importance on the numbers, this will be a challenge for me not to worry or get upset. We basically made no changes when the numbers slightly increased in Month 3 because we had to wait until I finished the current prescription of Pomalyst before I could get a new one with an increased dosage.

We are asking for prayers that my liver and kidneys can handle the increased dosage of Pomalyst and that this adjustment to the treatment plan will do what we hope and kill those nasty cancer cells and we’ll see that in the decreased cancer markers (Lambda Light Chains) at next month’s lab check.

When we met with Dr. Becnel, she said the way you monitor Mulitple Myeloma evolves. You can measure from the monthly labs (that I’m asking for prayers for), bone marrow biopsies and PET scans. She’s not really getting what she wants from the labs and Bone Marrow right now. She’s seeing more from the PET scan. She wants us to come to Houston in a month or so for another PET and that is how she will truly evaluate how the new treatment plan is working and what we do next. The PET hasn’t been scheduled yet which has been fine with me because the kids are keeping us hopping busy with all the Spring and end of school activities. We’re hoping we can push that off until early June…so far that plan is working.

Again, the best news is that I feel great. I’m grateful to have been able to go to all the Track meets, baseball games, end of school activities and generally for just every single day with my family. Being at the kid's events brings me so much joy. It's been a wonderful Spring. My mantra this year has been to live in the moment and I feel like I’ve been fairly successful although upcoming weeks like this test my resolve.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all the cards, check ins, prayers and support. We are constantly humbled by how many people love us and care about our family and how we are doing. We covet your prayers during these next couple of months hoping that we can continue with this treatment for a while longer before we have to move on to the next big thing. We continue to believe God for healing. Below is a scripture that was shared with me by Jana, one of my Aunt and Uncle’s Sunday school classmates (who are some serious prayer warriors), that also popped up in my Bible Study last week. It's posted on my work computer so that I read it multiple times a day.

We love you all so much!

Psalm 138:7-8

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O LORD endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.