The Weekend Edition

Thanks for your patience, folks. I know you're all eager for more information on Dad's condition. I've been experiencing some technical difficulties on my end, but am miraculously back online for the moment.

Dad suffered another nosebleed on Saturday morning. Thankfully they were able to stop the bleeding more quickly this time, but his platelets were obviously low again, so the doctors gave another two "bags" of 'em. The blood levels initially responded, but were flagging again at last count; his white blood cells are also showing reduced numbers.

All of this is clearly due to the activity of the myeloma in Dad's bone marrow, preventing the proper production of blood cells. The results of the bone marrow biopsy confirmed this, indicating (as Mom explained to me) that 95% or more of the cells in Dad's bone marrow are tumor cells.

In light of this sobering news--the gist of which Dad, Mom and the doctors had already more or less grasped, but the hard data confirmation is still difficult to hear--our prayer is that Dad's bone marrow would recover the ability to produce healthy blood cells, especially, at this point, platelets. The hope is that the chemo would destroy the cancer cells while preserving the bone marrow's capacity to regenerate and begin to function properly. Please pray for this, and as always for peace and strength for Roger and Karen. Pray that their perspective would be that of eternity, and that their confidence would be not in drugs, doctors, bodies or antibodies, but in the person and promises of Jesus.

I talked with Julie, who was back home in Texas tonight, and she said that her visits with Dad this weekend were a real blessing. She, Nana (Dad's mom) and Katherine were able to be with Dad during times when he had the energy to talk, look at pictures, and crack a few jokes.

Thank you again to everyone who has called, emailed, sent cards, snacks and gifts, shovelled snow, given rides, fixed meals, prayed, and otherwise demonstrated love and concern for Dad and the rest of us, especially over the past week. We are all deeply grateful for every such act, even if we haven't been able to acknowledge your kindness personally and individually. We'll do our best to keep the news reported; y'all keep them prayers comin'.