A Good Article on Sabine's Cancer

A good article on multiple myeloma:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2010/11/24/2010-11-24_multiple_myeloma__a_lesser_known_cancer_poses_challenges_in_diagnosis_and_treatm.html

Chemotherapy Begins Again

Let me begin by wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Despite battling cancer, we have much to be thankful!

In Dr Sheehan's office with an early Christmas celebration!

Now onto the news:  For twelve weeks now we have been watching the cancer numbers slowly rise.  We met with Dr Sheehan yesterday and we decided the best course of action now was to launch another offensive against the cancer. 

So, starting next week, Sabine will begin to take an oral chemotherapy regimen of Revlimid and Dexamethasone.  We will do blood work in two weeks to check for negative effects on her blood chemistry and report back to Dr Sheehan two weeks after this.

While this is a setback, we are thankful that we have a number of "arrows" in our quiver to fight cancer.  Thankfully, Revilmid is one of them.  And we even have a few more if Sabine's cancer becomes resistant to Revilmid.

I will be watching out for any negative physical side effects as we go forward.

Yesterday, we held our family Thanksgiving-Christmas celebration which was originally schedule to coincide with daughter Yumi's leave from Afghanistan.  But due to Matt's death, she had to come home early and missed today's celebration.  But we all held her in our thoughts and prayers as we came together around the family table and gave thanks for the love and restoration we have all experienced this year!

The Numbers!

We just received Sabine's "cancer numbers" this morning: Free Lambda Light Chains -- 133 mg/L).  While the numbers are increasing, they aren't exploding.  Twelve weeks ago we spotted the increase in our periodic blood tests.  Since that time, they have slowly been increasing and are now at the point Sabine was AFTER her first two rounds of chemotherapy.  We see our oncologist next Wednesday and will probably continue the "watching" or perhaps have to go on some form of chemotherapy.  We will see.  In the meantime, the rest of Sabine's blood work looks great and she continues her usual upbeat attitude and daily exercise.  As I told the folks at the cancer forum we attended this past summer, "Living with Mary Poppins is a real challenge for caregivers!"

So far, so good.  And, yes, life is still good! 

Thanks be to God!

On Alert

In a couple of weeks, just before Thanksgiving, we return to Dr Sheehan for another checkup.  It has been 6 weeks since the last time we saw him.  As many of you will remember, earlier this summer the cancer returned with heightened "numbers."  Six weeks ago the increase was happening, but not rapidly.  Soon we will find out what our next step is?  Chemotherapy? Or more "watching and waiting" for another 6 weeks?

For the past four weeks we have been monitoring a persistent cough that Sabine has acquired.  On Monday she went in to urgent care and had an xray taken.  The doc thought he heard something in her lungs and ordered an xray.  Doxycycline (an antibiotic) was prescribed.  At first they thought the xray was clear, then called us back because of something suspicious.  Sabine's primary car doc then scheduled another xray at the end of this month.  Waiting.

Of course the question we have is whether or not this lung thing is a result of the cancer or is it something else?  Sabine continues regular exercise and seems her old perky self.  That's good.

But caregivers like me watch their loved ones like a hawk.  Not wanting to frighten them but being careful and watchful.  We have seen too many in our cancer support group deteriorate and deteriorate quickly.  I am not alarmed.  But I remain on alert!

Fighting Blood Cancers

Our seven-year-old granddaughter, Gracie Couper (Matt's daughter)

is raising money through the Leukemia - Lymphona Society to fight blood cancer's like Sabine's.  Here is a letter from her mother, Heather:

"Hi everyone!

"Gracie and I are raising money for a very important cause, through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's 'Light The Night Walk:' finding better treatments and cures for blood cancers so patients can live better, longer lives.


"We have joined team 'Havianna's Hero' again and are excited to be walking with Havianna this year on November 5th. She will be one of the survivors caring a white ballon.

"I'm asking you to help by making a tax-deductible contribution! Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly & securely. You will receive an email confirmation of your donation as soon as it is made. I thank you in advance for your support which will make a difference in the lives of thousands of patients battling blood cancers.

"I really appreciate your generosity!!
http://pages.lightthenight.org/sd/SanDiego10/GCouper

"Thank you, Gracie and Heather."

Charlotte

Oh, oh... forgot to tell you that Charlotte was hit by a car while crossing an intersection in Mt Horeb and is okay.   Sorry! 

Charlotte was conveyed to Meriter Hospital, checked out, and then released the same day with a full leg cast.  Yesterday, she went to in to see her physician and was informed she had a broken tibia.  No weight on her leg for six weeks! (in the midst of all this we have about thirty family members on sight for my son Matt's memorial service!).

Could have been worse... an 86 year old woman is hit by an automobile and only breaks a leg!  If am afraid that two deaths in one week would have been even too much for Sabine!

What a Trooper!

Not only Sabine fighting a most viscious cancer, she is also able to come alongside and minister to her grieving husband -- me!  Last week my son, Matthew, died unexpectedly and tragically.  You can read all about it at my "spirituality blog" at http://christinyouchristinme.blogspot.com.

But what you don't get by reading the blog is that this has been a tremendous loss and struggle for Sabine.  Although she is the (and I hate the word) Matt's "step-mother," she has been a big part of  his life.

The good news just before I left for California to make "arrangements," we received a 6-week report on her "cancer numbers."  While they have increased, the rate seems to be pretty slow.  And Dr Sheehan so far doesn't want to see us for another 6 weeks.  Good news!  But Matt's death has been difficutl for all of us.

And while I was away for the past 6 days, Sabine's dialysis at the clinic was very difficult for her.  This morning (thanks be to God!) I made all the connections (sticks) with one attempt and the treatment went well.... almost... as we were in treatment we got a call from a friend in Mt. Horeb that Sabine's mother, Charlotte, had been in an auto accident and was being conveyed to Meriter Hospital in Madison!  One of my best friends is a resident chaplain at Meriter and he was able to meet Sabine's mom in the emergency room.  (Interestingly, he is also going to officiate at our son's memorial service this Saturday).

As my friend relayed us the information on Charlotte, he concluded by saying, "You know being in relationship with you, David, is quite stressful!"  If Sabine was there I would imagine she would agree!