Life is normal

I guess I should blog more...  But I guess that I have become comfortable on where I'm at with the smoldering myeloma.  My numbers are slowing growing but at this rate it is going to be a very long time until anything needs to be done.  My job now is to stay healthy and enjoy my life...  I'm doing both.

Only challenge is with my local oncologists.  They keep changing so I have opted to have my local primary care doctor order my testing and I will review and call UCSF if I have any questions.  My Dr. is on board with this as is Dr. Martin at UCSF.  He will get a copy and will call me if he sees something that I miss.  All in all, Life is good and I'm happy and blessed.


The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Fast update

My Oncologist called and because I'm in good physical shape, weight under control, strong positive attitude and most important, no damage done by the cancer, I can hold off on Chemo.  An answer to prayer for sure.  I'm hoping for a couple more years just doing what I'm doing now.  Keeping in shape and fighting the fight without chemo for now.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Bone Marrow Biopsy done

The results are in and I'm no longer in smoldering, I have switched to full blown Myeloma and I'm being set up to start treatment.  I don't know much more at this point as Dr. Martin needs to set up a treatment plan.

They talked a lot about Valcade and the differences in how they give it now and worried about my
PN and that the Valcade might make it worse. So I'm thinking Valcade will be the first bullet to be shot at the Myeloma.

I'm hoping to hold off starting treatment until October when I get back from our cruise.  A new phase
of my life with Myeloma.

I will keep you posted when I learn more.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

An update

It has been a while but what can I say... Things are going well.

I got my test results back today and my cancer #'s are up but not too bad.  I have put on some weight so I will be hammering at that starting NOW !!  That has historically lowered those #'s and I'm can't see why it won't again.

Dr. was pleased but not enough to let me go more than 3 months before the next checkup.

I have struggled with numbness and weakness mostly on my left side off and on.  I had a flair-up starting yesterday at 1:00 where my left foot and lower leg made the decision to just go to sleep, they didn't ask me first.  Then my left arm decided to join the party and what the hey, why not the left side of my face! It happens and I know that this too shall pass.

So.... I'm been avoiding going to the neurologist for a couple of years now and it has come time to give in, Jenni my wife was ready to tie me up and take me by force.  It is always written down at the end of my oncologist visit that they recommend I see one.  I will see him in April right after they scan my brain.  I'm sure not much will be found there but a big void.

Just because MS runs in my family everyone seem to point me in that direction.  Well, I have "multiple myeloma" why not "multiple sclerosis"  I will keep things "multiple".   This is not to say that I have MS, I don't think I do.  I will at least get a reprieve from everyone worrying about it and will get back to just being me.


The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

A normal life

Just a quick note...

All is well here.  No bone growth yet.  Next visit in December.  My GP said there is a good chance that the bones won't grow back together.  Age and a non-weight bearing bone sometimes means it never grows back together.  Not a big problem, it really doesn't hurt. 

The weather here was fantastic the last couple of weeks. So I had a long talk with my primary care person and Dr. Steven gave me permission to get back on the bike.  First weekend 53 miles in 2 days.  Last weekend 42 miles.  Dr. me is easy to work with !

California has everything. Last Monday heading off on a business trip to Merced Ca.  & driving by Elk Grove just south of Sacramento and I saw the following:

That is a tornado forming.  Watched it for a couple of min.  Fun,  Did some minor damage but no injuries or homes lost.

That's about all that's going on here for now.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

The fight is over... But not the life..

A blog friend of mine Dan Patterson died of MM today.  I have never met this man in person or heard his voice on the phone.  However, I can't stopped crying.  He was one of the first people who reached out to me when I was first diagnosed with MM. Both of the first 2  supporters of me, when I was scared and knew nothing about what I was facing, have now passed on.

I'm truly grateful for all their support and kindness to a person they never knew,  They took time out of their lives and gave support to me.  They didn't have to do that but the people they were inside came out and shined through.

I hope that I can give back just a little of what they gave.  They were truly special people.

I think it is really important for me right now to do two things.

First, to thank the three people who became friends during the toughest times of their lives.

Karen, the first to help.. Rest and be there when I arrive. You showed me I could live with this and still live a happy and full life.

Dan,  a rock when I really needed one. He showed me how to fight and not feel sorry for myself. He always had a kind word and support when I really needed it.

Susie, who showed me the importance and value of care givers.  She showed me the importance of thanking, as often as I can, my wife, for the care and love she gives me through this!

Second, to thank the people who are supporting me now.

EZ and Linda... WOW.. what can I say.. Great brother and sister in the Lord who have made a difference time and time again in the last 2 years.  I can't tell you how much joy I get in reading your blog each day!  A fantastic man and a great wife who is helping him through this.  Add to that a great family and I have a fantastic picture of what is possible, even with the struggle of a crazy cancer like MM.  Linda, you also show me the blessing that I have in Jenni.  You and Jenni would be such good friends.  True women of God!

Nick, who showed me the true meaning of how to fight.  Prayers to you and keep showing me and others the reality of what it means to not give in.

Roobeedoo, Keep reminding me that it isn't just me going through this and to thank my care giver, Jenni my wife, as much as I can!  You're a rock but at the same time you show the true side of this cancer and what it does to families. Keep posting...

I know that I'm emotional and rambling but I don't care.  It is how I can deal with the sorrow of this great loss, to his family, to his friends, and in a special way, in my life.  It will be a little harder now to face some of the little things I complain about.  I won't be able to run to the computer to see a post from Dan bring me back to a reasonable perspective about my situation,  God speed to you Dan and thank you for all you have done for me.

From my perspective... You were a great man who can not be replaced!

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Update

Hey everyone...

It has been a while since I have posted.  Waiting for things to move forward but they seem to stay the same on multiple fronts.

First:  My Myeloma... They did a test and my PN isn't related to it.  That means that my myeloma is asymptomatic.  That's good news.  They want me to go to a neurologist to do more testing.  If I have what they suspect, I just would rather not know, so I will stay on my PN meds and tough out the bad days and rejoice on the good days.

Second:  My Clavicle and the three broken ribs.  It mostly doesn't hurt.  Mildly aches from time to time.  I'm over 2 months out since the accident and I still have no bone growth,  My Ortho surgeon just smiled and said " you are over 50" !  Thanks for that ... I go back the end of September to check it again.  I do expect bone growth then based on how well I feel.  No bike riding until the Spring of 2013 :-(.

Last:  My job is still great.  Hard to believe I landed such a great job.  God smiled down on me with this one.

So....  All in all things are going well.  I continue to pray for all my Myeloma blog friends and work hard to be thankful for the blessings God has chosen to send my way.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...