Dave, Carol, Dexter, & Shelby
Hi family and friends, first I want to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope everyone enjoys their family time together and cherish every moment as we celebrate the birth of Christ. This is such a special Christmas for my family as we will all be together for the first time in many years. I want to thank my baby brother and his family for taking this trip from Washington so we can all be together. I know this is a sacrifice for them and we are out of our minds excited. Dave and my Mom went to Standford on December 15 to meet with a specialist about options we have for treatment. Dave and my mom really liked the doctor, but naturally felt overwhelmed with all the information and choices they will have to make in the near future. Since the beginning, an agressive approach has been taken to fight Dave's cancer and that seems to be the continued concesus on how to proceed in the future. The doctor went over the different options, such as clinical trials and stem cell transplantation. In mid January, Dave will have his bone marrow tested so we can see exactly how well he has responded to the chemotherapy. After doing much research and talking to others whose family members has multiple myeloma, I have to tell you we have been blessed. Sometimes its hard to not feel sorry for yourself when your family is fighting something like this, but then you realize some have had it so much harder. Dave has been blessed with no lesions on his spine which often makes it more difficult for patients to be mobile, he's been lucky to have minimal side effects from the chemo, hasn't lost much hair (tee, hee), and has felt well enough to go to work. I personally believe this is a gift from God based on all your prayer and also a testament to Dave's spirit and strength. Dave will start his next round of chemo (5th) with a goal of completing 8. Dave has made it clear that he plans to review and research his options and look at all the pros and cons before making a determination of what is next. Stem cell transplantation is a big consideration and a lengthy process. In Dave's case, if he choses stem cell transplantation he would most likely use his own stem cells. If he does this he would be have to go to the hospital prior to the transplant and go through a process called "harvesting". He would then go back at a later time to have the actual transplant. I will let you know the specifics of if and when this is determined.
If you are interested in learning more about the process of stem cell transplantation, please click on the following link: http://www.cancercenter.com/video/treatments-technology/stem-cell-transplants/autologous
This is a video from a different institute than Stanford, but offers a easy to understand video.
Thank you to my mom and grandparents who have shown great love, support, and care for Dave. I have a lot of respect for my mom after watching her be a partner to Dave. She's a take-no-prisoners kind of gal and doesn't like to listen to any noinsence of doom and gloom when it comes to this. She's has strength I didn't know she had. She's amazing. I have to say, there is nothing like be taking care of by my mom. Even as an adult, when I'm sick I still want my mom. Dave is very lucky.
Much love and joy to you and yours. We are hopeful that 2011 will continue to bring our family blessings and an appreciation for life.
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