More Great News

Today was a day we received more good news in regards to the treatment Steve is on. His m-spike number was down from 2.6 to 1.8! The target number is zero. Steve's doctor was very happy to see this number. It means his treatment is working and his cancer is at a level where it should not cause him any problems with his bones. We are so relieved to know he his headed in the right direction. We'll know in about 2 weeks when he'll be going up to UCLA for his consultation for a possible stem cell transplant. Please keep praying.

Day #11 Cycle 3 of MPT Treatment

Sorry it’s been a few weeks since I let everyone know how things are going. Steve and I are noticing a pattern with this current treatment. Each cycle is 28 days, the first 7 days he takes all three medications; mephalan, predisone and thalidomide. Beginning on day 8 he just takes the thalidomide and this is when he starts to experiences an increase in his fatigue and peripheral neuropathy, which gets worse with each new treatment. He puts on a really good show and makes it look like he’s doing great, and yes, there are times when he has “really good” moments but I would say he is far from doing great.

The mephalan is the strongest of the 3 medicines. This is the one that is really going after the cancer, but along with the bad cells it’s destroying a lot of good cells, particularly the ones that make white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. This is where some of the fatigue is coming in.

Pray his blood counts stay in a safe range while at the same time the cancer continues to be destroyed. Pray also for the neuropathy to subside. I would say this is the hardest on Steve. Just 3 days ago he started to feel a very painful type of neuropathy in his chest. And pray for the coming months. My work load will increase a lot in September and this is the time we maybe going to UCLA. I’m not sure. But the next few months are a mystery which makes it hard to prepare for.

God is good all the time, all the time God is good.

Love,
Deanna

What We Have Been Waiting To Hear!

Today we went for Steve's monthly follow-up with his oncologist. Good news all around. First, his total protein number has gone done from 10.3 to 7.9, but most importantly the m-spike number is down from 3.8 to 2.6! Both the total protein and m-spike are related. Back in July 2009, Steve's total protein was high (normal 6-8). This is what alerted the doctor to the possibility that Steve had myeloma. So the doctor ordered a special blood test that showed the m-spike and identified the "rouge" monoclonal protein (IGG).

This is the first time we have heard that Steve's cancer is responding to treatment. We are so happy and encouraged. Also, the metastatic bone survey (glorified x-ray) came back good. No new holes! But there is a small change to the T-8 vertebrae; it's showing a slight compression. That would explain some of the pain he has been feeling for several weeks now. The plan is to watch and see what happens and check it in a month, but if it begins to hurt more the doctor will order another x-ray. There is a strong possibility it could fracture and then he would have to have the kyphoplasty procedure done again.

Steve is on day 22 of cycle 2. He will continue on the treatment and hopefully we will continue to see a drop in his numbers. If he continues to do this good, at the end of cycle 4, we will go to UCLA for another stem cell consultation.

We want to thank everyone for their prayers. Please continue to pray, particularly for energy, strength and wisdom and for our friends, Natalie, Hayden and Margaret. Our friend Dale went to be with the Lord on Monday. If you knew him, you would agree he was a wonderful, godly man who always had an encouraging word for you. He will be greatly missed.

Bye for now
Love, Deanna

Day #1 Cycle 2 of MPT Treatment

Steve just started the second cycle of MPT. He should have started last Friday, but because the doctor's office didn't specify we were to call one week before he ended the first cycle we assumed he would have a break between cycles. This is a great reminder that we need to be on top of everything and not leave it up to others. Please pray that the lapse in time will have no negative effects.

A Younger Steve

This is Steve when he was about 12. His family lived on 6th Avenue in Los Angeles. His dog Pepi was his companion for many, many years. Do any of you see any resemblance to the older Steve?

Feeling Better and Doctor Update

Thank you to everyone who prayed for Steve. Sunday he was very sick. He developed a fever that went as high as 100.5. He also threw-up. I was worried about him taking the thalidomide and possible vomiting it up so I called the doctor. He said hold off taking the medicine and start the antibiotics. Come Monday morning Steve was feeling so much better. No fever, no getting sick and the body aches were gone!

Today we went for Steve's first follow-up since starting the new treatment. Dr. D. said Steve will continue on the MPT and begin the second cycle Friday (Whoo Hoo! Steroid Man Returneth!). Even though its to early to tell if the treatment is working she did say that both his total protein and M-spike were down slightly! This was good news for us to hear. She's ordering a new bone survey for two reasons, first because its been almost 6 months since the last one and second, Steve's left arm has been getting weaker.

Love, Deanna

Day #24 of MPT Treatment

Last night at church Steve had the sniffles and this morning he woke up feeling very sick. His head is congested, his body aches and he feels nauseous. This is the first time he has caught something since he was diagnosed. Because his cancer has compromised his ability to fight infections, flu's and colds he is vulnerable to becoming very sick. Please pray for him to get well quickly and that this head cold does not turn into pneumonia.

We see the oncologist on Wednesday. This is Steve's first follow-up since starting the mpt. So include in your prayers that we will get a good report. It may be to soon to tell if the treatment is working but our God can do anything!