Doctor Update

We saw the oncologist today. He received all the tests results from the ER visit on Saturday. What we were most concerned with were the blood and urine cultures. Steve has continued to have a fever, spiking at times to 100+. There are no signs of infection at this time so the doctor feels it's either due to the clot or the Myeloma itself. Steve will continue with the antibiotics and will probably be on blood thinners indefinitely. He is going to the Coumadin Clinic tomorrow for testing. They will monitor him and determine how much coumadin (blood thinner) he should take. Once this is determined he will no longer have to take shots (Arixtra).

Now to why we really were there. The m-spike blood test revealed that the chemo not only didn't help but his number went up from 3.5 to 4.2. Not good. So the doctor wants a new bone marrow biopsy (scheduled for Wednesday morning) and is referring him to UCLA for a consultation. He wants to first find out if Steve is a candidate for a stem cell transplant (SCT)and also what course of action the other oncologist recommends. Since Steve's cancer has been so resistant to treatment he wants to get another opinion before moving on to the next "chemo cocktail". There are some chemos which can damage stem cells, and if Steve is a candidate for a SCT he needs to avoid those chemos.

Needless to say we are feeling discouraged. But we are not going to give up. If you have ever seen anyone undergo chemotherapy or suffer through a chronic illness you will understand my next statement. I have great respect for my husband. He's not giving up and is willing to endure the next test, treatment you name it. I see what he goes through and can't help but think to myself, "I could never do what he is doing". But as a wise pastor told me....."God gives us the strenght we need. You don't know today, what you will be able to do tomorrow."

Please keep us in your prayers. And if you could also pray for our friends who are fighting cancer, Margaret, Dale and Hayden.