Wow, I can't believe its been 7 months since I've updated this blog. I can't believe it has been 2 years and 4 months since I met my arch enemy- CANCER.
This is what my children so lovingly call each other. Arch Enemies.
And, yes, I realize this does not reflect positively on my parenting skills.
I hate cancer today as much as I hated it over two years ago when it penetrated itself into my life and the lives of my family.
Since then, it has taken several of my colleagues and one of my favorite rappers of all time, MCA of the Beastie Boys, at age 47!
Yes. I like rap. I realize it is hard to believe, but its true.
As a matter of fact, the only reason I tune into American Idol these days is because of Niki Minaj. "Wow Boo, that song was tappen!" The kids say I embarass them, when I say things like, "Yo, Yo, Baby Pop, What Up, and True dhat. And, God forbid if I get my groove on to a song by Lil Wayne, Pitbull, or Flo Rider while driving.
Hey, I'm sorry, rap is way better than country music. I actually heard a country song on the radio the other day, called, "I drank a beer with Jesus!" Really? Now, I can understand if it was titled, "I drank a glass of wine with Jesus." But a beer!
Sorry, I digress... as usual.
Dave's cancer continues to be inactive. Another words, he continues to be in complete response (remission) since finishing initial therapy at the end of 2010/beginning of 2011. He was in remission when he got the stem cell transplant in June of 2012, and it was, and continues to be, our hope that he will be in remission for a very long time. He still goes to the doctors monthly and has an infusion of zometa for his bones and is still fighting peripheral neurapathy caused by the cocktail of chemo that helped to save his life. Pain management will probably be something he has to deal with from now on. It's part of his new normal.
There has been so much new information and new drug therapies getting approval that are providing more and more options for multiple myeloma patients. It is amazing what is happening in the multiple myeloma community in terms of research.
I've learned more and more and have more and more questions I want answered.
The most interesting information that I've learned is in regard to Dave's abnormal chromosome (4;14) which makes him a high-risk patient. Before, it was thought that if you had any traces of this abnormal chromosome, or other high-risk deletions, you had a poor prognosis, i.e. the high-risk prognosis. Well, it has recently come to light that it is not the fact that you have the abnormal chromosome that makes your prognosis worse, but the amount of cells that are affected by the abnormal chromosome. So, my next question to Dave's doctor is, how much of this abnormal chromosome cells does Dave have?
The high-risk prognosis typically means that the patient doesn't stay in remission very long (Dave has been in remission for 2 years). Note: The average remission for a low-risk patient is 2-3 years. Also, high-risk patients don't respond as well to therapies found to work on low-risk patients. Dave, responded with the best response you can get from initial therapy and from a stem cell transplant!
If, or when, Dave does end remission (at this point there is no cure), he has so many options for continued therapy. There are so many new combinations of drugs that are proving to be very affective and even some combinations that are working on patients that had become refractory to other therapies.
What was once considered a terminal cancer is very close to becoming labeled a chronic illness. I really believe this will be the case in the very near future and that would mean a cure could be not far behind.
Sadly.
Dave has been wallowing in this cancer thing.
I mean, seriously, all he does is sit around a mope.
He doesn't even leave the house.
He makes sure that everyone knows he has CANCER!
NOT!
Reality.
Dave is now on a two-week cruise in the Orient, along with my mom, his brother Steve (and Jerri), and cousin Randy (and Sharon)...
After, spending Thankgiving in Costa Rica with my mom in November...
And, after, spending a long weekend with my husband Cory, and brothers Ben and Vern, in Washington in September.
Dave is living life.
Like there is no tomorrow.
He is loving his family.
Like he'll never see them again.
He is treating cancer.
Like it has no power.
Dave is a constant reminder to me on how unique we are. Statistics don't define us. Cancer does not define us. It is the ability of our human spirit to have hope, curiosity, and purpose. It is only when our spirit dies, that our body will follow.
Please say a special prayer to the family of my Aunt Kay who was laid to rest this past Saturday. Watching the highlights of her life in pictures was beautiful. She had an amazing life, was loved by many, and made a difference in the lives of all that she touched. Until we meet again. I love you Aunt Kay.
