Happy Birthday Bone Marrow!
It’s hard to believe that it has been a year, but it has! Karl’s new bone marrow and immune system is a year old today.
All in all it has been a good year. Karl takes chemo in pill form (Revlemid) every day, he gives himself an injection of blood thinner (Lovenox) every day, and he still has a bone builder (Zometa) via iv every month, but gradually all of the other meds have been stopped. As each drug was taken away its side effects also vamoosed, albeit slowly. Unfortunately the three remaining drugs often leave Karl tired, sore, achy, and with some digestive and bowel issues. But when you consider the alternatives,...
At the 100 day mark Karl was told he had a very good partial response to the bone marrow transplant. His myeloma markers were still visible, but they had dropped considerably. All of his other blood and kidney markers were within the normal range. Basically that’s still where he is. We know that currently there is no cure for Multiple Myeloma, but for Karl right now, Revlemid appears to be working as a maintenance drug. Fingers crossed that continues!
Cancer is the big negative in our lives, but most everything else is positive. Best of all, in late July our granddaughter was born! Last night her mom and dad went out without her for the first time and we were honoured to be able to babysit. When we hold her and cuddle her it puts everything in perspective.
All in all it has been a good year. Karl takes chemo in pill form (Revlemid) every day, he gives himself an injection of blood thinner (Lovenox) every day, and he still has a bone builder (Zometa) via iv every month, but gradually all of the other meds have been stopped. As each drug was taken away its side effects also vamoosed, albeit slowly. Unfortunately the three remaining drugs often leave Karl tired, sore, achy, and with some digestive and bowel issues. But when you consider the alternatives,...
At the 100 day mark Karl was told he had a very good partial response to the bone marrow transplant. His myeloma markers were still visible, but they had dropped considerably. All of his other blood and kidney markers were within the normal range. Basically that’s still where he is. We know that currently there is no cure for Multiple Myeloma, but for Karl right now, Revlemid appears to be working as a maintenance drug. Fingers crossed that continues!
Cancer is the big negative in our lives, but most everything else is positive. Best of all, in late July our granddaughter was born! Last night her mom and dad went out without her for the first time and we were honoured to be able to babysit. When we hold her and cuddle her it puts everything in perspective.
So happy and proud of you both.. xo
ReplyDeleteWow, guys so glad to hear you’re doing good. Karl you haven’t been far from my thoughts, with you added in my prayers. Caytlyn just said last night mom he was some nice to me. Remember when I (Caytlyn) lightly touched the wood stove and Karl took care of my hand, then she laughed. I loved Sam (Karl’s dog) he was so friendly. I would get on his back and ride him like a horse, and sleep between his legs on the cabin floor by the wood stoves. (Caytlyn is doing so good you would be so proud of her.) Karl time passes you by so quickly treasure everyday and create loving memories. Take care and God bless.
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