March Sadness

Oh boy….where to start. Steve's last blood m-spike test came back at 1.3….same as the month before and there was no m-spike in the urine. Acceptable news…we just wanted to see a reduction in his m-spike. I found out the results the day Steve was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia (I didn't tell him until he was feeling better) on March 10th.

This came on suddenly and the ER experience was very unsettling with additional medical "events". During his stay I got sick with something that has been going around……I was too sick to pick him up when he was discharged 3 days later (Thank You Bob!) He was given instructions to receive IV antibiotics for 6 days at the infusion center. Once again Thank You Richard!

Just prior to all of this my sister Rosemary recently began home hospice care. She was battling brain cancer which resulted from her breast cancer returning. I was determined to see her but with all that was happening I was becoming overwhelmed and extremely tired. I did see her 2 more times before she passed away on March 23rd.

I have to pause here and mention the outstanding care her four children provided her. Not just when she was in hospice but throughout her battle. Kristen, her second oldest, put everything in her life aside and became her primary caregiver. She took the time to understand every chemotherapy drug, radiation, gamma-knife, prescription drug and side effect her mother was to receive and experience. I believe this really helped Rosemary live years longer than others in her situation.

Two days after Rosemary died we learned Steve had infection on his arm caused by a spider bite, which he got cutting down a bush (He was suppose to be resting!) He was diagnosed with cellulitis. Apparently it can become deadly if not treated in time. More antibiotics…..

So….when we went to UCLA on March 26th, we were both worn out and discouraged. We believed the Doctor would change his treatment because of the last test. THANKFULLY he didn't. This was a really bright spot in a long month of heartache and hardship. Both the doctor and the clinical coordinator were unavailable, so Steve saw a different nurse and was given the next month's dosage of pomalidomide. I forgot to mention that while Steve was in the hospital he missed four days of pomalidomide, hopefully this will not reflect in the next lab report!

Rosemary Dunn

For those who prayed for my sister, I thank you, her children thank you and my family thanks you. She will be missed so very much.

Please remember to pray for Julie, Maricella, Natalie, Cheryl and Tana. 

Love,

Deanna