Hair today, gone....

I knew this day was coming. We've been joking about it for some time. Doesn't seem that funny anymore. Yesterday my hair started to come out in clumps. I think I have a few days before I shave it, but it wont be long. Dani's post about me be bald, about me looking like Darth Vader... well, we'll see. I doubt that I'll look cool like Vin Diesel or Bruce Willis. I guess we're about to find out. I'll try to snap some photo's, before and after.
Hey it's only hair, right?

Everything else is good; good energy, no fevers, sleeping well at nights. Next week is my 'Off' week- no chemo. Normally that's a good week, but I miss the Dextamethasome (steroids)- it gives me energy. But it'll be good to get a break from the chemo.

Blaine

Back in control

Fun facts from WebMD:
Chemotherapy (also known as chemo) works by killing fast-growing cancer cells. Unfortunately, chemotherapy drugs can’t always tell the difference between cancer cells and fast-growing healthy cells, including red and white blood cells. As a result, one of the most serious potential side effects of many types of chemotherapy drugs is a low white blood cell count. Chemo that causes this side effect is described as myelosuppressive (my-eh-low-suh-PRESS-iv), because it suppresses your production of white blood cells. A low number of a specific type of white blood cells called neutrophils,—also known as neutropenia (new-tro-pee-nee-uh)—can put some patients at risk for severe infections and may interrupt chemo treatment. In fact, complications associated with a low white blood cell count are the most common causes of dose reductions or delays in chemotherapy. A sufficient white blood cell count may enable your doctors to administer chemotherapy according to their treatment schedule.

After my Monday trip to DHMC (for labs and infusion) life seems to be settling back to normal. I feel like I'm back in control. My White Blood counts have returned to normal (almost 3.6 where 4.0 is normal). My other numbers have all rebounded, so I'm feeling much better than the last time I posted. Before my white blood counts made me 'neutrapenic'- see the above description. So I really had to lay low for a few days with very limited exposure to the outside word.

But, as of yesterday my numbers have bounced back and I feel much more in control. My energy level is good, no fevers, no night sweats.

So for now, I feel like I'm back in control.

Included is a shot of the Three Amigo's; Dad, Alexis, and Kyle.

Enough is enough

Ok, enough with the optimism.... I'm sick of being sick! Tired of being tired. Tired of the immobility (remnants of the spinal tumor), tired of my digestive system (lost another 10 pounds this week), tired of all the trips to DHMC. LAB work, CAT scans, PET scans; sounds more like an animal hospital than a world class cancer center.

It would be nice to hit the rewind button back 2 or 3 years when I felt great. When I get through all this, I'll sure appreciate things more.

But for now... I'm not having fun.

Alright, now the news of the day. I went in for my normal routine (Labs, consult w/ Dr. Reddy, and infusion) today. Labs came back and my white blood counts are shot, almost non-existent. This was somewhat expected with the more aggressive chemo regimen I am now on.

So for now I'm in my own version of isolation (at home, limited exposure to others, face masks, lots and lots of hand washing), and if you have a cold, or are otherwise sick in any way, I need to keep my distance, etc. The good news is that my counts should recover by next weekend. Then I'll have another round of chemo.

The other good news is that my LDH levels continue to drop, which indicates that I am responding to the misery.

So this has been my one (and hopefully only) complaining blog...

Blaine

BTW-Dani sent me this photo of Mt. Timpanogas. This is where I grew up.

Monday at DHMC

(Fessing up - photos from last Thursday)

(Grandpa getting warm)

It is 3pm, Monday afternoon. I'm sitting in my 'chemo' chair along with another 20 or so patients. It's always a busy place, the medical team is great; very busy but very responsive. Today, things have gone well. My LDH numbers which have been astronomically high (over 1900 at one point), have come down substantially to 638. This in response to my return to chemo last Thursday. My fever's are gone, haven't had a high temperature since Thursday. I'm still having some night sweats, but they even seem to be subsiding. So all things considered, things look good.

(Work while you drip)

One thing that's new to me is that I'm getting a couple of units of blood. With the new round of chemo, I am receiving Cyclophoshosphamide (Cytoxin), which can cause red, white and platelet counts to drop substantially. The Myeloma cells also crowd out production of those cells. Between the two, my red counts were low as well as my platelets. White counts were OK thanks to a drug called Neulasta (sp?). The Dr.'s will correct me if that's not it, but I'm pretty sure it's right. I am receiving 2 units as well as platelets if they have enough on hand. It makes for a long day. Not too freaked out by getting a blood transfusion, more freaked out that it's a donation from Rhode Island ;).

(Citrina - pronounced Katrina - much sweeter than the hurricane)

But again, today has been a good day. We had a good talk with Dr. Bengston and Dr. Reddy. Talked about schedules, chemo changes and about our overall plan of attack for the cancer. We have great confidence in our medical team; we are also involving Dr. Richardson of Dana Farber in Boston, who focuses on Multiple Myeloma.

So that is what is happening now. We'll keep you posted.

Blaine

The Snake...

One of my favorite drives is in Utah; from Northern Utah down to the small town of Bicknell in Wayne county. Often, we'll see mule deer, antelope, elk and an occasional coyote: it's a great area. As you come around Fish Lake mountain there is a stretch of road that my family has always called 'The Snake', this is the entrance into Wayne county. What lays in front of you are several miles of very straight but a very up and down road (a little like a roller coaster; actually that would have been a good name for that stretch - but 'The Snake' stuck). For most of this road you are on the 'higher' ground, but for portions you descend a ways and then come right back up to the higher portion. When we're on the higher portion, we can see Bicknell off in the distance (around 25 miles). When you're at the bottom, you don't see much of anything. At the end of 'The Snake' you are dropped very nicely into the beautiful town of Loa (then Lyman, then Bicknell). Again, my absolute favorite place in the world.

I'm sure by now your wondering where I'm going with this, and to be honest I'm not entirely sure. But in some ways my cancer has been a little like 'The Snake'. I've spent a lot of time on that 'higher' ground; love and support from friends and family, an outpouring of the spirit. For most of it, I've felt like I could see our destination; Bicknell/complete remission with the Bone Marrow transplant. I'm not going to tell you it's all been beautiful, but it has been very tolerable. I've had the low point's; Partial paralysis, poked and prodded and poke and prodded some more, too many MRI's and Bone Marrow biopsies. It has effected somewhat my ability to perform my responsibilities at both work and Church.
Maybe a strange analogy, but it works for me.

So now, another valley is in front of us. For the last several weeks I've had fevers (almost every day), absolutely no appetite (I've lost 25 pounds since the first of June), night sweats (almost every night) and my LDH level has been very, very high; yesterday it was 1500- a normal LDH level is between 150-200. At first my Oncologist thought maybe lymphoma- but testing ruled that out. Yesterday I had another (dreaded) Bone Marrow biopsy (this one was by far the best one I've had). Last night we received a call from my Oncologist, Dr. Bengston (whom we also love). The news wasn't good, she told us that the results of the Biopsy showed that my Multiple Myeloma had returned in force. She said it was very aggressive (It must be because a month ago we announced to the world that I was in Remission). Well, I'm no longer in Remission. We're right back to fighting this thing aggressively. I re-start Chemo again tomorrow; I'll have my three week cycles where I'm 'On' for two weeks, then 'Off' for a week. We are changing the Chemo a little, mixing in a little Cytoxin (I think deep down my Oncologist wants me to lose my hair :).

So, that is where we are - looking at another valley. But just like on 'The Snake', at the end of every valley is another High Point. It gives us hope.

Blaine

Latest Capers

So you may know that Blaine was shut down for stem-cell prep chemo due to high LDH levels (some kind of inflammation marker, means some thing's wrong). What you may not know is that he also developed fatigue, fevers, and night sweats. When the Bone Marrow coordinator heard this, we quickly received a call from Dr. Reddy, our oncologist whom we very much like. Blaine was asked to come right in. They drew blood, and his LDH was still high. Apparently, Multiple Myeloma patients sometimes develop Lymphoma along with it, and Blaine was exhibiting 3 of the 4 major signs. Dr. Reddy was ashen as he told us about this, and set up a CT scan. Blaine's Dad and I felt like we had just been kicked in the stomach. They clearly thought this is what was happening. The good news is that the next day we were told that the scan came back clear, no Lymphoma. The bad news is that they had no idea what was up. That was Monday.

This week, Blaine was still having fevers, night sweats, and until Thursday, falling asleep anytime he sat down. Today, that fever hit 103.8 F. Not good. We called in, and were told to head to the ER, which we did. They took lots of blood, but found nothing. They also are growing some cultures to see if any bacteria presents itself, and will let us know. It is a mystery right now. If he is in remission, then it can't be the Myeloma. So they are looking at everything else. Our instructions are to treat the fevers with Ibuprofen and Tylenol. If it gets up over 103 again and does not come down or gets worse a half hour after medication, then call or come in again. This is clearly getting old for Blaine, yet he is handling it all EXTREMELY well! His Dad - worry wart. His wife - ask Blaine, I won't venture a guess. No scrap that, don't ask him. We'll just leave that one alone. :)

He still very much appreciates the kindness and prayers sent our way. We all do. Bill Murdoch and his family could sure use some TLC right now as well, as he is not doing well. Keep them in mind, and the Franzens.

Josh is enjoying a car, Dani is at the Hill Cummorah pageant, Alexis is very busy with sports, English, friends, etc, and Kyle has gotten some good time with Grandpa and his parents. We're still very busy, and happy to be so. Take care, and...

I vote Vin Diesel as bald guy - intense eyes. Not Brittany Spears!

Both Bald and Beautiful

As you all probably know, my dad is getting ready for a bone marrow transplant taking place in August. Prep work for that transplant includes a huge dose of wicked intense chemo. This dose is gonna wipe out his immune system, and most likely make him very sick. One of the things he has to look forward to is losing his hair.

Last night we were watching Hercules, and after watching Hades get his hair blown out by Pegasus this subject came up...

"Okay, guys, name some good looking bald guys."
"Michael Jordan!" pipes up Josh,
"Er," I hesitate, "Paul Pierce?"
"He's not bald."
"Right, Karl Malone."
"Ray Allen!" shouts Kyle.
"Okay, can we name some white bald guys?"
*Pause*
"That guy from CNN?"
"Which one?" asks Dad,
"You know," I reply, "the bald one..."
"Brother Halley!" says Josh
"Common, he's not bald..."
"Then Britney Spears!" retorts Josh, effectively ending the conversation because all of us are laughing too hard.

Basically, I just think my dad doesn't want to end up looking like this guy...

After doing some thorough research, however (yes, I image googled "good looking bald guys"), I found that there are indeed quite a few good looking, white bald guys...
(wait a second...does anybody else wonder why John Travolta is in this set? He isn't bald!)

Vin Diesel...classic.

My favorite baldie, however, has to be this guy:

No matter what, we'll always love dad (even if he does end up looking like Darth Vader ;) ). What does he have to lose? Just hair.

So what do you think? Have I missed anyone? Who's your favorite baldie?

:) Dani (and a little bit of Josh).

AAAARRRRRRGGG!

Blaine got a good nights sleep last night in anticipation of today's events. He and Grandpa got up early and drove to Dartmouth(I joined later). Blood was taken for labs, and he took medication to aleviate the nausea which would come, and other meds to protect sensitive organs from the cytoxin. Then the Doc came in and said, "Your LDH is very elevated. Let's check again." They ran it again, and the result was the same, although his white counts are still fine. Apparently that little fever and symptoms have affected him in ways which make it necessary to postpone chemo. So, he has to wait another week before starting protocol, providing that his LDH returns to normal. This messes up all of his work plans, and generally drives him crazy, as it is impossible to plan with any certainty. The up side - no nausea, hair for another week, and Grandpa is here. Other family was here yesterday, and we were so glad to see them. Thanks, guys!

Brian is waiting for tests and results to see if he will qualify for a liver transplant, as well as other issues. We await.

We need to shout out a HUGE thank you to the good bretheren from our ward who dug trenches around the back of the house and two dry wells, installed perforated pipe, and covered them with stone. This keeps the drainage away from our cellar, which has been (gasp!) totally dry during this past wet, wet week. The sky just won't stop opening up and pouring water down! But our basement isn't wet! Hurray! This means we can control mold, and Blaine can come home from the hospital after stem-cell transplant instead of somewhere else! Between the septic and the drainage, I cannot tell you how blessed we have been by the kindness of great, great friends. Thank you so much, and may you be just as blessed in return.

Dani and Josh are both working at Subway, Alexis is getting drenched at girl's camp, and Kyle is enjoying many play dates with friends as well as summer soccer and occasionally basketball. We love life. Even when it's insane.