Another step in the process that you can check Off!
Hang in there!
I was admitted to KU Med yesterday myself - have developed another nasty tumor.
Pauk
UPDATE April 2012
Yesterday, April 15, was the 100 day milestone. All restrictions are now lifted although Paul is still cautioned to stay away from those who are sick. 100 days is also the point at which Paul could go out to eat and have a beer. Have to admit that we cheated a bit on that one in the last couple of weeks - just a little. Today, Paul had labs, PET scan, and bone marrow biopsy. We will get the results of those on April 30; that will tell us how effective the transplant was. Prayers are still in order, thank you very much! We go to Mayo in mid May for a second opinion as to what type of maintenance treatment would be best to lengthen the time to disease progression. Meanwhile, Paul is feeling great. He has recovered from the transplant and is enjoying not being on any cancer drugs.
I am writing this to tell you that Paul has been diagnosed with myeloma which is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. It is a treatable, but not curable, fairly rare cancer. I have copied some info from www.canceranswers.com at the end of this if you are interested in finding out more about it.
I know that it would be better to call each of you personally, but that is overwhelming at this point. I do want to get the word out quickly, though, so that you can include him in your prayers.
Paul had what he thought was a pulled muscle in his side in January. He noticed soreness while working out and quit working out for several weeks. It improved quite a bit, but never totally went away. In May, it became more tender and he noticed swelling. He went to our primary care physicial on 6/6, CT scan was ordered for Friday, 6/8. He was asked to come in that same day for results, which at that time they thought was probably lymphoma. He had a needle biopsy on the mass on 6/12, and it was determined to be plasmacytoma/myeloma. He was referred to a hematologist/oncologist and had blood, urine, skeletal survey and a bone marrow biopsy done. We met with the hematologist yesterday. The tumor has destroyed the outer end of his 9th and 10th ribs. It was decided that radiation would be the treatment because he is Stage 1. We meet with a radiologist on Monday to schedule radiation. He has 1 of 3 major criteria and 2 of 4 minor criteria for multiple myeloma. It is hoped that the radiation will give him from 2-5 good years during which time he will be monitored closely, and then more aggressive treatment (chemotherapy, bone marrow transplant) will be needed. With this disease, for some reason, hitting it hard with aggressive treatment early does not improve the outcome.
There is stiill an outside chance that it is one plasmacytoma (which could possibly be curable) rather than multiple myeloma (which is not curable) We do believe in the power of prayer and hope that you will remember him in your prayers.
By the way, he still feels fine and is actually outside painting the house right now!
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