The Very Good, the Better, and the Best

We are doing fine, we just have not been doing much.

Bob has recovered from the bone marrow transplant, and his blood tests are in the normal range. His physician declared that he had a "very good, partial remission." He's just starting his long-term, low-dose chemotherapy which includes a pill per day, one 20-minute infusion each month, and monthly blood tests. He’s received a few immunizations (like tetanus and flu) but can't start his "baby" shots (measles, mumps, etc.) for over another year. But wait…

The better news is that Bob’s handsome white hair has returned – but now it’s curly. Thank goodness he likes it! He received his first professional haircut since the transplant last week. But wait…

The best news is that his neuropathy is abating and is fairly confined to the bottoms of his forefeet. He hasn't taken pain pills for the last several weeks.

So many prayers answered.

March: In like a lion

This has been an emotional week for me. I think part of it was having Bob start back on maintenance chemotherapy and not having been informed that it would include a monthly infusion in addition to the pill per day. We also hadn't been told that he'd have monthly blood tests and doctor visits, mostly to be sure that the chemotherapy isn't adversely affecting his kidneys, for example. However, the blood tests could also give an indication if the multiple myeloma is becoming more active. I'm hoping it will become routine and not a time filled with dread, that pit in the gut feeling. And, hardest of all is that this is a reminder that Bob has not been cured, that we're not back to "normal," that it's still difficult to make plans.

Oops