Tuesday, October 26, 2010

October 25th, 2010

First of all I want to thank everyone who came to visit me in the hospital, those that sent me cards, those that said they would pray for me, my wife, Mom and Dad for being there regularly and bringing me food from the outside world.  The hospital food wasn't too bad but VP, Rosa's, Mexican, Chinese, etc. made the experience more enjoyable.

I have been out for 2 and a 1/2 weeks now.  Gaining strength, getting rest and recovering quite well.  Blood test results have continued to improve overall and am feeling fairly normal.  I am now in my second 2 week phase of chemo which is a nightly revlimid pill and twice a week trip to Dr. Bryson's for am injection.  There is a once a month intravenous procedure that lasts about 3 to 5 hours.  Anyway, enough about me...what about you.
Thanks to all of you who responded to the blog also. 
Everyones kind thoughts, prayers and concerns have been wonderful medicine for my heart.  Now if it will just work on the MM too.
Love to all, Dave

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

October 13, 2010-Update

Hi family and friends, Dave has been chilling at home since Saturday.  On Sunday, I went for a visit and he wasn't home.  I asked my mom, "Where's Dave?"  She said, "Ben and him went to Colimas for breakfast."  Seriously, he just got out of the hospital!  This man is made of steel!  Appetite has not been an issue.  This week Dave does not have chemo.  It's two weeks on, one week off.  His doctor is monitoring him daily as an outpatient, so there has been daily doctor appointments.  Dave has had many special visitors since being home. This weekend, he had a visit from his cousin and yesterday a visit from his sister Linda.  Ben went back to Washington on Monday, but will be returning for Christmas. 

Saturday, October 9, 2010

October 9, 2010- Dave is Released from the Hospital

Good news family and friends:  Dave is home from the hospital.  Blood work looks good and Dave is enjoying the fresh air in his backyard.  He will go in for a follow-up with his doctor on Monday.  Still grasping this whole process and as soon as we understand everything we will let you know.  Today, we will enjoy the beauty of the day and appreciate all that God has blessed us with. 

Thursday, October 7, 2010

October 7, 2010- All blood work normal!

Good news from the hospital.  Dave's current blood work is normal, including his potassium level!  Do I know specifically what this means?  No.  But I do know that "normal" is where we want to be.  Tomorrow Dave will have his last Plasmapheresis treatment so we are all crossing our fingers for a Saturday release.  We will keep you posted.

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

October 6- Day 8-Hospital Stay

October 6, 2010

Hi there family and friends.  Day 8 of the hospital stay and it looks like it is getting extended.  They have one more "plasmapheresis" treatment which I believe they are doing today or tomorrow and he is still of the potasium drip.  Needless to say, he is bumbed because the playoffs start today (baseball, right?) and his tv doesn't get that channel.  You men and your sports.  My husband is hooking him up with a lap top (beneift of having an IT guy in the family) so he can catch the games.  He didn't sleep too good last night so he's a little pooped today, but looks great!  Feel free to call Dave or my mom if you like to visit to see if he is up for it.  This guy is so loved and has so many wonderful family and friends, I actually text him for an appointment, wink, wink.

October 5, 2010- Hospital Update

I heard from Dave this morning.  He says that he met with the doctor who stated that his blood work is improving in most areas.  He continues his chemotherapy and has one more treatment of  Plasmapheresis (see definition below).  This is Dave's last treatment in a series of five.  While his blood counts are improving, his potasium level is still low which they are treating.  Low potasium in not unusual for Dave's condition.  Dave has a very special visitor all the way from Washington this morning, my brother Ben.  Ben, although not biological can not be better defined other than Dave's "son".  I wish I could be there for their reunion.  I can guarantee you it will be a beautiful sight.

I'm trying to get more information and a better grasp on what is going on so I can inform you better.  I told Dave this morning I might have to make his Doctor my next husband (sorry honey) just to have time with him to pick his brain. 

Lesson Learned:  Life is precious.  Love the one you are with.  Quit looking for the greener grass on the other side.  And God is good. 

Plasmapheresis
If too many M-proteins build up in the blood, causing the blood to become too thick, the patient's blood may need to be filtered through a special machine in a process called plasmapheresis. The patient's blood is transfused, and blood plasma is removed, discarded, and replaced with donated blood proteins. The procedure relieves symptoms but does not kill the cancer cells.

Diagnosis- September, 2010

1st Post-October 3, 2010
 
Welcome to the newly formed "Kiss it Cancer" club.  It was my attempt at stating in a less crass manner that Multiple Myeloma can Kiss my ***.  When we heard Dave was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma, our first thought was what the heck is this, how bad is it, and how can we fight it.  I'm sure by now many of you have done some reseach on this cancer to understand it better.  I've started this club for family and friends of Dave to share information, reseach, prayers, and updates on his condition.

First and foremost, my Mom and I would like to thank all of you for your loving concern.  I'm not surprised to see how many people are shocked, frightened, and concerned about Dave's condition.  I told him that I would have to call in advance to make an appointment to visit him since he has had so many visitors. 
 
DIAGNOSIS:
 
Dave went in over two weeks ago to get blood work done after suffering nose bleeds that wouldn't stop.  It was with those results that the doctors found an "abnormalty" in his blood work and asked him to come in for more testing, eventually including bone marrow testing.  Based on many tests to confirm disease and "stage" it, Dave was told he had Stage IIIb Multiple Myeloma.  There are three stages in this disease, Stage III obviously being far into the disease.  Dave immediately started Chemo on September 27 and being the Super Hero that he is went to work the next day.  When he came home at the end of the day, he was achy and feverish and my Mom, after consulting with the doctor, took him to the hospital.  Dave has been there ever since.  Infection and the affects of the disease itself is the cause for this stay.