Dad is scheduled to be discharged today. The latest lab reports are in, and his protein levels have continued to decline, though at a slower rate. Dr. Stadtmauer plans to see Dad again in three weeks, with the expectation that he'll be starting him on a less aggressive oral chemotherapy regimen, basically as maintenance dose to try and preserve the gains Dad's made.

Dad has been coping with various side effects for the past couple of days, but we're grateful that he's been spared some of the worst effects associated with this hardcore chemo, i.e. mouth sores, vomiting, and the like. Nurses from Penn will be visiting him at home this week to take blood and administer transfusions if necessary. His blood cell counts too have been much better than during the initial rounds of this chemo.

Thank you all for persevering in prayer for Dad. We thank God for answering those prayers so mercifully over the past few months.

Begin the Beguine

We're just about dancing. Dad finally got a room at 7 last night, but unfortunately the doctor who would have ordered the chemo had gone home by then, so no drugs until today. The chemo recipe was sent to the lab by Dr Tsai at about 10:30 this morn, so hopefully the stuff'll be hooked up and dripping by mid-afternoon.

Dad has been feeling better the last couple of days--his birthday, by the way, was Monday--so perhaps the delay was for the best, allowing his condition to improve a little before he would be subject to more chemo. Thanks for your continued prayers and concern.

Heard from Mom last night. Dad was scheduled to start the last round of this course of chemo yesterday, but he was told not to come in until he got a call from Penn informing him that they had a bed for him. The call never came, except, late in the day, to tell them that there was no room in the inn. Yet to hear the word for today, but please pray that Dad would get a bed. We'll keep you updated.

The Latest

Please continue to pray for Dad as he prepares to go in for the last dose of this chemo next week. He has been feeling good overall, but is noticing the cumulative effect of all these chemicals on his body. His skin in particular has been painfully sensitive, and he's been subject to those chills again.

Mom and Dad got the word from Dr. Stadtmauer last week that he wants to proceed with another chemo course immediately following this one. This was somewhat discouraging for them, because they had been hoping that Dad would have a break from treatment, given how well this one has gone. But S-mauer said that because the cancer is now evidently at an advanced, aggressive stage, it is best to keep it back on its heels with continued chemo.

More updates to come. I'm still holding out hope that the old dinosaurs will get up on this thing and give you a firsthand report, so stay tuned. Maybe you can pray for that miracle, too.

A brief update:

Dad returned home on Saturday, as planned. He's exhausted, but hasn't suffered any serious side-effects this time around. The most encouraging news is that the latest labs showed still lower protein levels, indicating that the chemo has been increasingly effective in fighting the cancer. These numbers are actually the lowest they've been in years, comparable to the protein levels following the stem cell transplant four (?) years ago.

Due to room renovations, Dad ended up in another one of those "luxury suites" for the latter part of the week. Marble sinks, walnut molding, the works. Everything but a Louis XV armoire and a bowling alley in the basement.

One more round to go, scheduled to begin three weeks from tomorrow.

Round 3

Dad is back in the hospital this week for the latest chemo dose. His overall condition has continued to improve over the past three weeks--higher blood counts, lower protein levels--and he has had more energy and less discomfort.

Dad will likely be in the hospital until this Saturday night. He's been placed in a two-bed room this time around, which means that there is no space for Mom to stay overnight. But it's also a good sign, as it's because Dad's immune system is stronger that he's able to share a room.

The overall prayer request continues to be that the chemo would be effective in destroying the cancer cells without doing too much damage to Dad's organs and immune system. Mom has also asked for prayer for their interactions with Dad's roommate, that they would be able to be "light and life" to him.

As those of you who have been able to see or talk with Dad recently know, the difference between four months ago and now is like night and day. He is in every way stronger, more spirited, and simply more himself. We thank the Lord. This is more than we could have hoped for.

Prior to this latest hospital stay, Dad had been spending so much time in the garden that Mom had to struggle to keep him from over-exerting himself. But it has been such a pleasure for them to be able to enjoy the weather and the garden in springtime, especially a spring that Dad has said he didn't expect to see.

Thanks as ever for the prayers and support. More later.

Dad reports that he's been feeling pretty good since leaving the hospital where he received the second round of chemotherapy. He has had to get a platelet transfusion, but in general he's been able to function better than he has in months. Mom and Dad's small group came over to the house Sunday morning, and they had a little home-church, Acts-style. This is the first time that Mom and Dad have been able to get together with this group since December, so it was a real blessing.

Thank you all for your continued prayers. Pray that this chemo would be effective in fighting back the myeloma. Thank God that Dad has been feeling better, that his "counts" are generally good, and that he has had less pain and discomfort. We are so grateful.

A more thorough report is, theoretically anyway, forthcoming.