Hello family and friends, sorry for the lapse in blogging, but we've been just "living life". I follow quite a few blogs from Multiple Myeloma patients and it's weird when the disease gets first introduced to you, you get nervous when a week goes by without any updates. But, what I've learned is that when the blogging stops happening so frequently, the living has started to return to some form of normalcy. I guess that is what is happening with our family to some extent. We are enjoying not having chemo, not being in the hospital, and not having to take "as many" pills. Dave is basically concentrating on getting back into fighting shape after 10 months of continuous treatment. He continues to have good days and then a "fatigue" day, but has started walking each morning. He is trying to get used to his decreased appetite and picky (more than his normal picky) taste buds. I've read his taste buds will eventually return to normal. He has lost about 20 pounds, but other than muscle loss I think he looks pretty darn good. Cory, myself, and the kids went over for a barbeque on Saturday night and really had an wonderful time. I think this was a "good" day for Dave and we all just basked in it. He even took a little dip in the pool. Just sitting in it, not emercing his entire body. For some reason, I guess you are not supposed to swim, golf, garden, etc. for a year after transplant. It has to do with bacteria and its affect on a compromised immune system. Seriously, why don't they take all the fun away? I've done a lot of research and I've seen little on this. I know a few MM patients that enjoy wine. Whatever... simple pleasures like taking a dip in the water to cool off has so much more meaning when someone tries to take it away from you.
We are now 37 days post transplant and Dave will go back to Stanford at the end of the month for blood work. His last appointment 2 weeks ago showed his number were good. We are not sure what is next in terms of maintenance. Some continue on a maintenace program of small doses of chemo and some chose not to until relapse. I'm not sure what Dave's decision will be, but either way we are enjoying our time of complete response!
Much love, Jeana
