Good Progress!

Blaine had an MRI a few weeks ago. He had developed some more significant back pain, and the docs didn't want to take any chances. We decided that his back was probably sore from two days on airplanes, unable to change position or lie back. The radiology report included the words, "Tumor Necrosis" in reference to the remaining spots on his spine and hip. Basically that means that the tumors are deteriorating - Yes! That seems to indicate to his oncologists that the current chemo regimen is doing what it is designed to do. Somewhere in the next three to six weeks there will be another MRI and a second bone marrow biopsy to determine progress. From there an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant will be planned, which is a WHOLE nother kettle of fish, involving hospital stays of a month and other fun stuff. The goal is to get him into remission and to transplant. He will be given high dose chemotherapy which will kill his bone marrow. Then he will be given his own stem cells (which are harvested earlier in a process much like dyalasis), which will hopefully replace his diseased bone marrow with healthy bone marrow. So far, so good. He is tired a fair amount, but coping well. I find myself ready to explode on a fairly regular basis. Stress? Nah. I am back at work, part time, but it helps.

Brian has just undergone surgery to remove infectious material from his chest cavity, and is draining fluid very well now. He required 2 units of blood, but seems to be feeling much better, and his mind is clear. Thank heavens! His daughter, Erin, was able to leave campus and come home a bit early and is staying at the hospital with her Dad. This is a comfort to both of them, and to his extended family who are very happy to see someone with him day and night. He has a new appointment at the Layhy Clinic for evaluation for a liver transplant in June, and is also first on the cancellations list. It seems to be a race against time. We love him, and know that since God has his eyes on the sparrow, they are also surely on our brother, and my husband. God Bless.

Marleigh