European Capers

That is Dani, and that water is the Mediterranean. As Dani would say, that is all!

Day +18

What a difference a week makes! Blaine is able to eat again, and as a result, is gaining energy. He is walking better, staying up all day, and even cooking occasionally. His weight is much lower than it was last winter, so we hope to put some muscle back on his frame. I don't know that he will be able to grow hair for a while yet, since he probably has at least one more round of significant (though not lethal this time) chemo to go. He was able to spend Thanksgiving at his sister's house with many of his family. It has been 10 years since we have even been on the same side of the Continental Divide as his family for the Holidays! It was a great day. Our friend, Clara, a student at BYU and a member of the Ascutney ward, was able to spend the day with us as well. What a treat.

Josh's basketball team smoked Orem High's team this week. Holy cow! These boys know how to play basketball. Alexis' team hasn't had a game yet, and Kyle's hand is recovering from a mild fracture he sustained in tryouts. He didn't play, but his team dominated in last week's game. Did I mention that boys basketball around here is REALLY GOOD? Dani is coming home in less than 2 weeks. Can't wait to have her on THIS side of the Atlantic. Well technically, closer to the Pacific. Weird.

Janet McDonald wrote the following on her blog, Singing Woods. "In America, the first Thanksgiving was a sincere act of joyous celebration. The Pilgrim company had survived the winter and harvested sufficient to feel themselves bountifully blest. "O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever" Psalm 107."

I echo her sentiment. Did you know that Europe doesn't celebrate Thanksgiving, just North America? The pilgrims landed here, so the celebration was here. I wish the concept would catch on around the world, since we are all God's children, and it would be appropriate to render Him thanks together.

We're well and Blaine is improving. We are grateful for many things, and will thank the Lord above for all that we have been blessed with. Thanks for being our family and friends. May all be well with you and yours.

Day +11

Blaine has engrafted. His white counts are now back in the normal range. Though he is no longer neutrapenic, his new immune system is still very young, and not able to handle a lot. So we will reintroduce him into society (again) slowly, and begin lifting dietary restrictions. He won't be able to go out to eat for a few weeks at least, probably longer. Small price to pay. He is still very, very tired, and suffering from other side effects of the chemo. It will take some time to recover, but his immune system is on the way. We will talk to Dr. Trico the week of Thanksgiving, and go from there. No more Stem-cell transplants, if we're lucky, ever. He's not done with treatment, but he seems to be done with the worst. Maintenance chemo will be discussed at our appointment and we'll let you know what his analysis is of the success of the stem-cell transplants. That is, after all, why we came.

Brad and his friend Tony just drove cross country - again - to bring us our belongings. The truck wouldn't go over 65 miles per hour, and that was on flat ground or down hill. Wyoming is uphill. Then they couldn't get over 45 MPH. Bottom line, the trip took 10 hours longer than they planned. When they arrived, they were exhausted! We are so appreciative. Thanks to all those who helped pack up our stuff, care for our house, and get us and everything we own out here. What a blessing.

Speaking of houses, ours is still for sale! If interested, please contact Galloway Real Estate in Walpole. Just a shameless plug. :)



Dani was in Normandy, France last week, the site of the Allied invasion in WWII, I believe at Omaha beach. She took many pictures, but this one seemed to stand out.

Hope all is well with all of you.

Day +7

So far, this transplant has definitely been easier in some ways, and definitely harder in some ways. I will explain.

Worse because...
-Worst reaction to new chemo; very painful, but blissfully short-lived
-Serious throat pain, ongoing
-Less ability to eat and drink
-Digestive system misery

Better because...
-We are able to stay in Heber!
-His red counts have been stable, no blood needed. Wow!
-More energy on some days
-Did I mention we were able to stay in Heber?
-Less worry about the kids
-Blood pressure more stable, less likely to pass out
-Known quantity

His counts should start to rise anywhere between now and Friday. He plans to be well enough to attend a Thanksgiving dinner at his sister's house. We'll still have to cook a little differently for him, but he can have mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberry, and Stove-Top stuffing. His Dad is getting him a small turkey roast, because they have warned us off a full bird and stuffing cooked inside one. He'll have to have extra pie and of course, ICE CREAM to console himself. No egg nog.

For me, I am grateful for a listening ear, or steam valve, in the person of Geri at Huntsman. There have been a few times when things were a little overwhelming, and each time when we arrived at Huntsman, this lady was there. She let me talk, vent, or cry until I felt better or less stressed. Imagine, me stressed! She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who's job is patient and family support, and am I grateful she's there! She is very good at seeing who is there each day, taking a look, and asking if they need to talk. Each time I've needed her, she was available. Good job, Geri, and good job, Huntsman! I highly recommend that patients, caregivers and/or families take advantage of such resources available where they are receiving care. They can help people talk about the things they need to in a constructive way. It helps!

Josh also made his varsity basketball team, and is now working for a starting spot. We are going to have a very busy basketball season, but hey. That feels just right.

On the Way

Transplant #2 is now in. Blaine received 10 million of his own stem cells yesterday, after Monday's round 2 of killer chemo. No nasty reactions this time, just the normal. He is tired, has less appetite and more discomfort, but not above the norm at this point. His counts should start to fall precipitously in the next few days, and we will have to be in Salt Lake probably this weekend until they either recover, or it is determined that he is doing well enough to rest at home in Heber. Then we wait for the stem-cells to engraft. We will visit with Dr. Tricot after engraftment, and at some point they will schedule a re-staging, and discuss treatment for the next year. So far, so good. He is wiped, and we're all sorry he has to do this, but we are so grateful that the treatment is available.

Alexis has made the freshman basketball team for sure, and we will find out if she gets any playing time with other teams as we go. Kyle has made the AAU 'b' team, which is great. He will play teams in Salt Lake and the Provo/Orem area. Josh will find out some time in the next 4-5 days, but frankly, I think he'll be fine. Dani is going to Normandy, the Alsace-Lorraine area at the base of the Alps, Straussburg, and Italy all in the next month. We can't wait to hear. And we can't wait to see her in December. We are well, and thankful for our blessings, for there are many.

Friends
Family
Church
Community
Warm house
Opportunities to learn and grow
God's love
Healing
Dedicated medical staff
Modern Medicine
Our good men and women in uniform, and our veterans

That's a partial list. Take a moment to count your blessings. If feels great. Hope you are all well.

Marleigh

Worst Chemo Ever!!!

As they hooked me up to BNCU (carmustine) one of the two new chemo medications I received yesterday, the nurse told me it could make me sick. What an understatement! She said 'you could get sick and not really know how to describe how you feel'. Bingo! Now, 24 hours later, I'm still not sure how to describe it other than to say it was as sick as I have EVER been. Headache, bone pain, nauseated. The car ride home was miserable, scary. Marleigh thought I might need to be admitted to the hospital. I took an oxycodone and after some time felt a little better. Once home, I couldn't lay down for more than 5 minutes. Believe it or not the only thing I could do was pace around the kitchen. My Dad and a new friend/neighbor Burke Roney gave me a Priesthood blessing and I felt better immediately. By the time evening came, I felt almost normal. I took an Adavan (Vitamin A, as the nurses like to call it), and slept like a baby last night.

So that was my day yesterday. Not to complain, but my worst 'cancer' day so far (what a big baby I am). On Monday, I go back for melphalan, gemcytabine, velcade, and dexamethasone. I've had this batch before and it wasn't too bad.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Blaine

Bach, Beethoven - Amateurs!

Dani went to Dr. Tricot's native land this past week, and said she saw the prettiest town she has ever seen - Brugge, Belgium. She also raved about the food. She will be disappointed by the bland fare she receives when she gets home in a month.

Josh, Alexis and Kyle are getting ready for basketball tryouts, and Alexis is LOVING being involved in "The Wizard of OZ." Great theatre and chorus teachers here. Josh is loving AP Spanish, and is getting better and better with the language. Kyle misses Jarah, our dog. So do I, but it sounds like she is loved where she is. Thanks, Lael and Jeff.

Last week Blaine went through restaging - Bone Marrow biopsy, Pet Scan, etc. At today's follow-up and preparation for stem-cell transplant #2, we learned that Blaine's cancer's level of aggressiveness is probably exhibited in only about 3-4% of Multiple Myeloma patients. Since Dr. Tricot has been using this protocol since 1989, he has case histories to draw from. So if he has treated 5,000 MM patients over the past 20 years, then he has seen at least 175 cases like Blaine's. He knows what he's doing.

We have heard a lot of good music in our lifetimes, especially me. As a music student and as a musician, I've heard live performances from world class musicians ranging from the Boston and Toronto Symphonies, the King Singers, Metropolitan Opera and Chicago Lyric Company singers, amazing Jazz ensembles, and lets not forget, the famed Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Include this with the performances I have participated in with some of those same musicians, and I've got some very sweet musical memories to draw from. But today surpassed them all. The sweetest melody ever came from Dr. Tricot as he said that there was "no evidence of disease," (though there are left-over effects of disease) and he also said that he was "likely in complete remission." I cried. Blaine came mighty close. I gave Dr. Tricot what for him I am sure was an uncomfortable hug. I don't care. He got one anyway.

So we move forward to wipe out any last cancer cells that can be unearthed in his body. Things look very good right now. He still has to go through round 2, which by all accounts is rougher than round one, and a year of maintenance chemo, but for the moment, we are sailing. Surprise, he can't WAIT to get back to work!