Saturday, June 28, 2014

MMy Update

What does it mean when a Myeloma blogger doesn't post in 4 months? Well....the positive reason is that they have returned to life, and Myeloma is but a mere distant memory.

That's our situation.  Until now. Hence, I am blogging again.

We had our three month check up to see where my M-spike was at after completing four rounds of maintenance chemo, 15mg of Revlimid, 21 day cycles, for those keeping track at home.

Before I get into the results, I want to talk about Life results from the last four months. Because my life isn't Myeloma, although Myeloma has been a strong life motivator since my diagnosis on 8/8/08.

Here are some major highlights:

  • Ocean turned 8!
  • Ruby turned 4!
  • Traveled to Chicago with Iris on the train
  • Had a guy weekend up north in Oscoda
  • We took a vacation to South Haven, MI....very lovely
  • Cassie is learning how to play the guitar so she can take her show on the road to bars and weddings
  • Cassie got 2nd place in her age group in the Dexter A2 5k!
  • My business has grown from my business partner and me...to 20ish people in less than a year
2014 has been very good to us half way through and we don't intend on the momentum slowing down now that we have beautiful weather and Michigan football is just two months away!

On to the MM results from last week. Recall, my blood work showed a trace amount of MM last fall. We watched it, and eventually it passed the threshold from not measurable, to slightly measurable at 0.1. 

From there...I went on maintenance chemo...the 4 cycles I mentioned above, with the goal at containing the disease at 0.1...or best case...eliminating it. 

Well....we are now at 0.2. What this means. We can't claim victory over Myeloma quite yet, but we will take hold of the wins we are having as a family as we build more and more memories. 

Next steps. Check labs again in 4 weeks at UMCCC. My last 5 or 6 data points all showed a slight, but upward trend...so we'll see. 

I don't get sad very often....like ever. But on Friday as I was driving into work I started to feel bummed about the results. Sometimes it feels good to feel bummed and to allow the reality of the situation to connect through all parts of your body.

Then...Feel Good Fridays popped on the radio - 96.3 for those in SE Michigan. There was a minister talking about how we need darkness to be able to see The Light. Man....those words hit so deeply. My sadness faded, my hope returned....and I had an amazing day! Part of that was because I had Ocean come to work with me.

So it looks like we are going to have to determine new/additional treatment options. I will warm up to that over the next four weeks, we'll probably seek several opinions from some Myeloma Rockstar Specialists...and make a decision. 

Find The Light in your day...it's there somewhere. 

-Phil

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Phil, we feel your pain and pray for you and the family. Keep up the good work and remember it is ok to feel bummed some days. It makes the good ones even better. Thankfully there are so many more options every day and some amazing MM rock stars out there working against this beast. The Churans

Unknown said...

Prayers for healing from a Former 1995 Chemic, I'm proud of your fight and resilience. Blessings, Haskell Shelton

Unknown said...

Phil...keep seeking His Light...everyday, in everything...and you will be delivered.

Unknown said...

Phil, we Wyatts will be praying for you and your family again. As I'm reading your post, I find myself both hurting for/with you emotionally AND encouraged to trust God in the midst of the same hurt. I suspect He is doing something special in you through this.

Shannon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Shannon said...

We are praying for total healing for you, Phil. Praying for peace for you, Cassie. Keep clinging to Jesus!

GlennJ said...

Best wishes for a total victory.

Nick said...

Phil -

It's okay to experience sadness -- but I know you don't have it in you to be negative. You are relentlessly positive and your positivity and strength will play a role as you continue to dominate your diagnosis.

As you know, there are many new treatment alternatives available to you now -- whether it's adding the antibiotic Biaxon to your revlimid (it's been shown to kickstart responsiveness) or whether it's looking at Pomalidomide or Carfilzomib or immunotherapy.

God bless you and your family, my friend. You got this!

Julie said...

Congrats on all your family happiness and professional accomplishments Phil! Myeloma doesn't stand a chance with you! You and your Docs will figure out the best treatments to dominate again! Thankfully there are new meds out now, and we have many treatment paths available. You're young, strong, brave and you'll beat this back into submission again! Julie

Linda said...

EZ and I will be praying for you Phil as new treatment options are explored, and decisions are made. How wonderful to read about your family need and business growth...awesome! You help each of us so much with your positive spirit and grit. No doubt you will dominate again! Keep posting!

Linda said...

The above should read "family news" not "need". I need to proofread before I publish��!

Sandy said...

Holding you and your family in the Highest Light of Healing and Strength, knowing you are supported in all ways for the highest and best good of all concerned, so be it and so it is!!!

I'm just knowing all that is good is coming to you now!

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