The Chemical Life

With Sabine at the Mallard's game -- 38 of us!

Some of the cyclists assemble before their ride --
the weekend theme: "Life's a Sweet Ride!"

Daughter Sarah, Sabine, Niece Teak, and Daughter Catherine
at the Ridgeway Station,

The families assemble!As I was expecting (with the rise in the "numbers" last month), Dr Sheehan has Sabine back on a heavier dose of chemo (Velcade + Dexamethasone) for the next month. In the past, Sabine has been very responsive to this drug combination and we will see how it goes.

We had a wonderful joint birthday celebration on July 6 which brought family and friends together from near and far. It was a joyful time for both of us as our birthdays fall on the same day. You are probably thinking, "At least with the same day you should never forget your spouse's birthday." Well, not quite, but that's another story.

We have had to cancel some summer vacation plans but we intend to do shorter day trips so that we are in the general area during the chemotherapy. In the past, we have worked together as a team, adjusted our schedules, and grieved together when it didn't work out the way we wished. We will continue to do so.

Enjoy the summer. Life is still good!

Moving Along

Peace flags at New Journey Farm

Another round of chemotherapy as we begin to try and control this disease.
Dr Sheehan was pleased about the "numbers" and it looks like to prescription is to continue this level of chemical intervention.... watch out for neuropathy... and decreasing platelets in her blood.

In the meantime... both Couper and Lobitz families will be assembling next week at our farm in the unglaciated hills west of Madison.

I will be leading (hanging on) a cycling group to celebrate my 75th year and Sabine will be biking in celebration of her 60th! (And entering her 6th year of the cancer fight.)

We have a beautiful (if somewhat damp) summer here in Wisconsin.

Life is good. And I continue to be reminded that it is not where you are going in life -- it's who we are becoming that counts!

A Check-In

Here we are enjoying beautiful summertime in Wisconsin. We just received a report on Sabine's latest cancer"numbers." The "normal" range of lambda light chains is from 6-26. Dr Sheehan started chemotherapy when Sabine's numbers got up to 142 and the last three three-week cycles of sub-cute Velcade (1/2 of her usual dose) with oral dexamethasome has respectively reduced those numbers to 127, 102, and now 85.

We meet with Dr Sheehan this Wednesday and expect he may continue to try and get those numbers down.

In the meantime, Sabine remains active -- cycling, kayaking, hiking -- and expects hike up to Granite Park in Glacier Park this summer after hosting a big family get-together in July to celebrate her 60th birthday!

Granite Park Chalet -- no vehicles -- you must HIKE there!

Recovery and More Chemo

We saw Dr Sheehan on Wednesday. Sabine's lungs remain clear. The calcium level within normal range. And with some progress in suppressing those nasty lambda light chains, another round of chemotherapy (Velcade [subcutaneous] combined with oral dexamethasone) was again prescribed.

The fight continues...

Other than that little setback a couple of weeks ago, the Energizer Bunny is looking forward to our combined birthday party (60/75th) on July 6 with lots of friends and family present for a barbeque, live band, dancing and appropriate amounts of beer.

And, oh yes, a 75 mile/60km bike ride at the Blue Mounds bike trail at 7 a.m. on that day.

E.R. -- Again!

Just when I thought it was safe to go back into the water...

High temp... congestion... lethargy and the oncology doc on call asked me to take Sabine to the ER suspecting I imagine pneumonia. Many tests and five hours later she was admitted. Lots of antibiotics and now things have stabilized to the point that she is expected to be released today.

So what's my problem? First of all, this seems to be the way multiple myeloma patients go. Pneumonia and we have seen it take many from our support group.


So this isn't about a common ER run that many of us have undertaken over the years. No, this might be IT. And I still am not ready for IT!

This was one scary night.

Yes, God was certainly there, mightily present but I was still afraid, not wanting to lose her... yet.

Fear is a not a stranger to me. I can literally taste it. I know his character, who he is. After years as a cop and fighting this cancer, I think I've got him under control.

I was wrong.

p.s. Sabine spent the night in the hospital. Dr. Sheehan was on call and released her with a healthy dose of antibiotics late that morning. Pneumonia seemed to be the culprit and now, a week later, she is on the "mend." A little tired but recovering. Thanks for all your healing thoughts and prayers.

Back in the (Chemo) Saddle Again...

At our appointment with Dr Sheehan today we decided to go back on a chemotherapy regimen. It will be a weekly dose of Velcade (sub-q) at the hospital with a dexamethasone chaser. We will check the progress with monthly appointments until the "numbers" reduce -- then, hopefully, a maintenance dose.

It is a rainy day, but we both remain grateful for each other, our family, and what world we inhabit. (And lunch at the Sushi Box made it all better.)

Blessings...

Lambda Light Chains Chart

These are the "numbers" we anxiously await before our time with Dr Sheehan. On the left is November, 2011 and the far right is the result of last week's test (142). We meet with Dr Sheehan tomorrow and are expecting to be back on chemotherapy. In the meantime, life is good...