Down, Down, Baby!

The M-spike is almost DOMINATED! For the first time in almost three months and six rounds of aggressive chemotherapy later, my M Protein has gone from 0.2 to 0.1. I was starting to get pretty irritated from hearing 0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 0.2, 0.2 while aggressively treating the disease through consolidation therapy following two autologous bone marrow transplants this summer.

I realize everyone is different, but most of the young people I follow with MM have achieved CR (Complete Response) following induction therapy that was much less aggressive than mine, followed by a single autologous transplant. We have found that because my disease was advancing slowly, it has followed that same trend on its way out of my body.

To be transparent, this news brings a big sigh of relief. I had a number of folks remind me to remain patient and that a M-Spike of 0.2 is great, but when your goal is CR and you have been taking aggressive therapy for 4 months with no signs that the disease is diminishing; it can start to weigh on your emotions especially when you are physically being taken down to the weakest point in your life.

Thanks to everyone who has remained so supportive throughout this journey. We cannot thank you enough for the meals, the words of encouragement and other support that has come in various forms. A special thanks to Daniel for challenging me to believe that God has healing for me and wants to dominate this disease. My prayer for the entire week was to receive this word and live with an expectation that my M-spike would be lower.

Where to next? Well 0.0 of course! I begin maintenance therapy which takes me from three drugs to one; and the one that I will be on is only 60% the dosage. We will be checking the M-Spike again in 5 weeks.

I'll end with a picture of Coach Hoke and me after the Washington Kick. Watch out Myeloma and watch out Ohio!

Blessed Amidst a Curse

I'll try to tone down the deep reflection, but I am blown away by how such a horrific diagnosis is paving way for new opportunities in the thick of the storm. Tonight I will be sharing my journey of Faith, Football and Cancer with the Michigan Football team. All of this while I am on chemo heading into a stem cell transplant...craziness...

Those who follow college football know that my Wolverines have been on a very challenging journey as well. There is so much we can all learn in our darkest moments whether a loss to Appalachian State or a cancer diagnosis. Sometimes the forest needs to burn a little longer so a new forest can be raised from the ashes.

I don't know how 2010 is going to unfold for my personal health, nor the health of my beloved football program, but I think we all need to keep the faith and continue to trust.

Cycle #5: Much of the same...

Just a quick mid-cycle post. After I finally decided to have folks pray for me following my 12 day bout with projectile vomiting and 6 days of not being able to hold down even a teaspoon of water, my body has bounced back. I can't explain it, nor can the Docs. I was literally heading towards hell and no drug could stop it. Isn't it funny how many people only turn to a hirer power when things get really, really bad. I am hoping my kids don't follow suit when they are older and only call me when they need bailed out!

News on the transplant #1 front and other happenings:

• All my tests, labs, doc meetings, cytoxin infusion, and harvest are on the books. Cells will be pulled mid-Feb
• High dose chemo and transplant still not scheduled; waiting on Cycle #5 results
• I purchased Rock band for the Wii and will not break it open until post-transplant. Video games is totally out of character for me...thanks cancer for allowing me to be a kid again.
• Maize and Blue hair dying will probably happen the first week of February!
• Cassie is still holding up like a champ, but her belly is getting huge! 3 more months until baby #3 is here!

Praise:

• Cassie for putting up with my dex ideas and being somewhat of a single parent during this time
  
• Family for watching the kids during my infusion, getting genetic testing done and all that other good stuff
• Friends for continuing to bless us with at least two meals a week...unbelievable
• My new MM friends who unfortunately are given the horrible fate of MM, but can join the hope train with us
  
• Michigan Faithful for continuing to show your support
• Dr. J and BN for providing the best medical support and growing friendship
• ..and God...I'll try to call your name out on some of the high moments, although it's easy to forget