Tuesday, March 9, 2010

There's no place like Dr. J's myeloma clinic... click click click.

We had our last meeting with our myeloma clinic team today before we're passed on to the Bone Marrow Transplant team tomorrow.

It was bittersweet.

Our good friend Zak blogged about this very thing recently, and while our journey is far from over and we will reconvene with Dr. J and his trusty sidekick BN after transplant, this marks the end of a significant chapter in the Cancer Book. Induction is done, and we're now entering the next phase. It feels... weird.

Dr. J had wonderful things to say to us and we left, as we always do, in awe of not just his competence and knowledge and determination, but also his compassion for and sense of responsibility toward people suffering from myeloma. Remission is not good enough for him, as it shouldn't be good enough for any of us who are touched by this terrible disease. I respect Dr. J as a physician and also as a person. As my aunt Tweetie would say, he's a good egg.

BN, P.A., is awesome too. I won't say too much about him on here because everything we say on this blog always gets back to him somehow (hmmmmmmm...) and I don't want him to feel uncomfortable. But basically he's single-handedly made the last five months not suck. He's the best of the best and we lub him somethin' awful.

So now we've been turned loose to the bone marrow transplant team. I wonder if they know what they're in for? Cackle, cackle...

I also wanted to mention this article. I'm sure you myelomians (myelomiacs? We really need a cool name.) have seen this but I wanted to post it here for anyone who hasn't yet read it. Because while hope is absolutely necessary, so is the realization that this cancer is not like other cancers and something needs to be done. My kids need their dad and ten or fifteen or even twenty years of remission simply isn't good enough for a 29 year old. Awareness is key, people. As I've said in the past, I'll chill out a bit when spell-check recognizes myeloma as an actual word. So anyway, Kathy Giusti of the MMRF is a rock star and this article is a must-read for, well, everyone.

I am going to actually try and get in bed before 10:00 tonight. I find myself staying up too late once the kids are in bed because the house is just so darn peaceful when the preschoolers aren't brawling. I hate to waste all that quiet on crazy pregnancy dreams. But sleep will be hard to come by soon, so sleep I must.

Pleasant dreams to all of you, and we will update later this week after Phil recovers from his bone marrow biopsy. (He really doesn't mind them. I've never had one but I think know I'd ask for the epidural.)

10 comments:

Unknown said...

Cassie didn't mention that we were both in tears...I was fighting them back big time. When he played the empathy card for a number of minutes and I just broke. To hear your Dr. empathize with your situation and then say its because of cases like ours that makes it the responsibility of him and his staff to push forward in treating this disease was very much appreciated.

We too empathize with anyone touched with MM and we also feel it is our responsibility to not only raise awareness, but push towards a cure for all. Domination will be had by all!

Karen said...

I agree! Kathy G. is awesome! Good luck!!

tim's wife said...

I'm thinking MM=myeloma mashers.
Tim doesn't mind the bone marrow biopsies either even though his doc does not look at all like he's being gentle to me so I enlist the help of the biggest, baddest nurse
there(a woman our 275 lb. doc admits he does not want to ****
with and yes he said the F-word)
and she promises to help me kick that doc's butt if he hurts my guy!
We love Gladys dearly but admittedly would not want to tangle with her either.I think she could deliver a serious thrashing! ;o)

Meredith said...

Kathy Giusti is AMAZING!! Some colleagues of mine saw her speak a few years back and said it was one of the most inspiring talks they've ever heard...

Good luck!!

Alysa said...

Just read the article. Thanks for linking that! Praying for you guys!

Unknown said...

love you guys! BTW, did I miss the opportunity to dye my hair purple in solidarity?? When are we going to dye our hair?!?! love, Aunt Tweetie

Unknown said...

Hello Phil- good luck with your SCT. I just finished mine in January and while I was told it would take months to recover, I'm travelling in India at the moment. Keep the spirit. Also was wondering if you've read my blog: www.lisaraniray.wordpress.com
I'm an actress and I was diagnosed with MM at 37. I'll be doing a charity screening for MM in LA in April. Will be thinking of you and drop me a line if you ever feel up to it...and I agree: Kathy Giusti rocks!

Unknown said...

Hello Phil- good luck with your SCT. I just finished mine in January and while I was told it would take months to recover, I'm travelling in India at the moment. Keep the spirit. Also was wondering if you've read my blog: www.lisaraniray.wordpress.com
I'm an actress and I was diagnosed with MM at 37. I'll be doing a charity screening for MM in LA in April. Will be thinking of you and drop me a line if you ever feel up to it...and I agree: Kathy Giusti rocks!

powercord said...

Great work. Keep it up. Lisa referred your blog to all her followers.

Nerissa Picadizo said...

Dear Phil,

I'm praying all the best for your SCT.

I always Believe that miracles are everywhere and is in all of us… with that said, I am directing my “miracle wish” towards a cure in this lifetime.

You have no idea how I deeply agree with this: ten or fifteen or even twenty years of remission simply isn't good enough…

Btw, I can’t wait to see your TED talk… dominate that talk!

Much Love & Blessings!!