Battling another infection

Unfortunately, Terri and I will not be going to our cabin in Michigan this weekend because I am fighting a troublesome bladder infection that just doesn't seem to go away. I need to stay close to home in case anything should change. That's really disappointing as we were looking forward to a Super Bowl party with our friends from Harbert Community Church. Of course, an approaching weekend winter storm which will probably drop several inches on the area would also have kept us in the city. Snowstorm driving is not a favorite of Terri's. Perhaps EVERYTHING will clear up by next weekend so we can get away. I hope so.

Finally--The Results

I was finally able to see my oncologist last week to receive the test results from my stem cell transplant. They show a "very good near remission" which, while not perfect, is certainly good news. It means that most of the disease was eradicated by the transplant but that there are still traces of it in various bones. He is confident that a monthly chemotherapy infusion and a daily oral pill will control the disease and possibly improve my condition. We will continue to pray for that outcome and ask that you do too.

Overall I am feeling good and glad that I will only need to go down to the clinic once a month rather than on a more frequent basis. It will finally give me the opportunity to fill my time with more interesting things to do. Since Terri and I had not been to our cottage at the lake since September, we were very happy to go last weekend for a restful time--to have dinner and brunch with friends and to see all of our friends at Harbert Community Church. What a wonderful community of believers--as are those of you who have been hoping and praying for us during this challenging time in our lives. Thank you so much.

Another Illness and Delay

As you are probably aware, I was supposed to meet with my oncologist to get the test results from my stem cell transplant on Friday the 9th which I had wanted to share with you this weekend. Unfortunately, on Wednesday I came down with a gastrointestinal virus. By Thursday I was so dehydrated my daughter Elizabeth took me to the ER at Northwestern Hospital where I was admitted overnight for fluids and observation. I was released yesterday, the 9th, and have been resting at home. Of course, my appointment with my oncologist was cancelled so Terri and I are waiting to reschedule it. We are terribly disappointed and do hope that we can reschedule it quickly so we can get the results and move forward with any treatments needed. Pray for patience for us as we have been waiting for this day for a long time and are very anxious to get the news.

New Year's Update

I apologize for not updating my blog in awhile, but Terri and I have been busy with Advent and Christmas preparations and celebrations which I think is a GOOD thing. It was great to be busy around the house and see it transformed during the holiday season. We did see the doctor a few times during the month and his initial review of the tests from my stem cell transplant indicate that while the multiple myeloma (MM) is unfortunately not in complete remission, it has shown marked improvement. As a result, he does want to start me on a monthly maintenance therapy and a new daily oral medication to help clear it up even more. Terri and I are praying that this change will be keep the MM under control.
Unfortunately, I did come down with a cold/flu which prevented me from beginning the monthly maintenance yet. Twice we had to cancel the treatment over the holiday season. I had had a flu shot earlier and the doctor did put me on tamiflu to clear up the infection. I am better now so we are scheduled to begin the treatment next Friday, January 9, when we will also meet with the doctor to get ALL the results of the tests and know exactly where we stand. We do ask that you continue to pray that the news will be good and that the new therapy and medication will work.
I was fortunate to get permission from the doctor to fly to Minnesota the weekend of December 13-14 for our granddaughter, Greta Margaret Douglass's christening. And we had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with daughter Elizabeth and her family (her son Drew is in the photo in the prior blog entry on Christmas Eve) and with the whole family in the days following Christmas when Andrew and his family came to town from the Twin Cities.
Now it is back to the business at hand of getting this disease in line. Pray that 2015 will bring that good news to us. Thank you for that and for your prayers, good wishes, cards, care and concern for both of us during this past year.