A Bend in the Road

     The Myeloma cancer became active again since the last chemo treatment in March. The doctors feel it is necessary to do more chemo to get the cancer back into remission before they do the stem cell transplant.  It will have a much greater chance of succeeding.
     So, here is the plan, at least for the next month!  Don was admitted Monday morning to UH for 4 days of 24 hour round-the-clock drip chemo.  This regimen will be tougher than previous ones.  The doctors hope that this will put the cancer back into remission.  After this 4 days, he will have 3 weeks off.  Then, they will check "the numbers" and see where the cancer is - hopefully, in remission!  At that time they will plan again when the stem cell transplant will take place.  If the cancer is not inremission, they will do another 4 days on - 3 weeks off regimen of chemo.  So, the journey continues through the summer. Otherwise we begin the transplant at the beginning of July!
     This has reminded Don of a story he heard about Central Park in New York City and Chautauqua Conference Center in Western NY .  The architect of the roads in both parks, Frederick Law Olmsted designed them in such a way that one cannot see more than 1/4 of a mile ahead without continuing to walk along the road that is before you. So, we are going to continue on this road before us, around the bend, and keep going until we see the end.
     As you read Genesis 12:1-9 we see that Abram (Abraham) was simply told to leave where he was; his comfort zone.  He finally arrived in the land of Canaan and set up a camp and simply trusted God for his future.  You may be going through a period in your life where you have left the familiar but cannot see what is ahead.  Marcie and I are in that place right now.  Let's agree to trust the God of our past and the God of our future to abundantly meet all of the needs of our present. 
     
We have lots of specific prayer requests this week.  Please pray that...

• This chemo will be effective, putting the cancer in remission and getting us back on track for the stem cell transplant.
• That there would be little, if any, negative side effects from the chemo.
• That there would not be any more blood clots.  (Likelihood of having another is increased since Don had the one in his neck.)
• That he would not get an infection.
• That he would get relief from the pain in his right hip and leg. 

Praise for:

• All of the nursing staff who have been so wonderful!  Especially for a young lady who is a believer  and knows many of the same friends we do at CCC.
• Good communication so far this week with medical personnel.  
• A room being available for Marcie at Hope Lodge.
• An excellent, qualified Spanish teacher to cover Marcie's classes this week. 
• Continued support in innumerable ways from family and friends.
• The stem cell collection has been successfully completed and will be ready for the transplant.

We'll keep you updated as we continue forward around this bend in the road.  Thanks for being on this journey with us.

Love,
Don and Marcie

PS - Approximately 11 hours of chemo completed and so far no side effects!  Keep praying!