M-Spike Update December 5th

Well it wasn't what we were hoping for or even expected. Steve's M-spike went up from 0.9 to 1.1. There is one good number to report on and that is the other "marker" that is checked, the IGG continued to go down. The IGG is the plasma cell protein that has become monoclonal, cancerous. It went down from 1480 to 1300. Usually both markers go up or both go down, but this time one has increased and one has decreased?

I'm sure the doctor will have an understanding for why this has happened.

Yes, we are discouraged, and we are hoping this in an anomaly and not a sign of something bad. Please pray for good news at our next appointment.

God Bless you!

Steroid Free Has It's Benefits

It's been 2 weeks since Steve stopped taking the steroid with his pomalidomide. The cramps have almost completely stopped (a few hand cramps and one minor foot cramp)! This has resulted in both of us sleeping better, he's even stopped sleeping in the recliner! Nice to have his warm body next to me, especially in this weather!

Every night Steve makes notes on how he felt during the day and what symptoms he experienced. There is no rhyme or reason to it, but some days he feels pretty good, and on others he can feel lousy. He told me last night that for the first time he feels more like he use to, before he started the new treatment. That was our new normal and it was actually pretty good.

If he can continue with the pomalidomide without the steroid, then maybe life won't be as difficult as we experienced in Sept, Oct & Nov, and maybe we can start planning some short trips, have the grandkids stay with us, who knows!

We are still waiting for the test results from our last visit. Last time his m-spike was 0.9. We go back on 1/2/15…..pray the absence of the steroids don't result in the pomalidomode becoming ineffective.

Merry Christmas to everyone and don't forget to tell others about Jesus and his sacrifice for us!

Pray for Julie, Mike, Jim, Natalie, Rosemary, Skip, Matt, Marcie, Earl, Mary, Stephanie and the Persecuted Church.

Love,

From a very grateful christian and wife to Mr. L,

AKA

Deanna

Cycle 4 Is A Go

With the increase in side effects we thought that this month the doctor might take Steve off of his treatment based on our last conversation with him in November.

Steve had a somewhat better month and the only change that was made was to stop the steroid (after my inquiring of the possibility) to help with his moods, sleep deprivation and other unpleasant side effects he has been experiencing. Our first thought was maybe the dose could be reduced…..but the Clinical Trial protocols require a complete absence of the drug for a time and then reintroduce it at a lower dose.

We did this only because he has had such good results so far.

Now hopefully this will make for a more pleasant Christmas celebration! 

Unfortunately the worst side effect he gets is not from the steroid but from the Pomalidomide. They can be so painful, and take so much out of him. The most unpleasant episode happened on Thanksgiving. At one point his jaw locked up for a brief time. Very scary!

We are hopeful the lab work done today will reveal another drop in his m-spike, which we won't know for another 7-10days. Prayerfully a big drop!

Thank you so much for your prayers and the love you have shown us. We are blessed to be a part of God's family, through the work of his son Jesus Christ. 

Have a wonderful Christmas, we love you all.

Here is Steve with his early Birthday/Christmas present. I hardly ever see him anymore!

I never have to leave my recliner again!

Please pray for Julie, Rosemary, Griselda, Michael, Jim, Jim, Natalie, Rosemarie, Skip, Marcie, Earl and Mary. 

Love,

The most blessed wife

Mrs. L