Caught up in a Whirlwind+ UPDATE

Just left Dr. Nair for the last time as he is entering private practice in a few weeks. He is turning us over to his mentor, Dr. Van Rhee.

News was not so good and Dr. Nair entered the room with a crisp businesslike manner. He reported that the markers are all climbing and the MRI and PET showed the lesion continuing to grow. He suggested that Deb's case of multiple myeloma might respond well to an experimental drug they were testing here in Little Rock. He wanted a consult with Dr. Van Rhee to get his concurrence. After educating us about the proposed new protocol, all occurring in Arkansas, we agreed we wanted in. There were just a few spots available and he quickly got us one. We are so grateful!

Our faithful nurse Gina is retiring when Dr. Nair leaves. She was so helpful in helping put together our new treatment plan and schedule. She brought in a scheduling nurse and a research nurse. We had a 'transition party.'

All of this is very fluid and may change, but this is good for the moment.

> We had planned on flying home after the appointment this morning. Scratch that.
> Deb has a needle biopsy of the lesion on her sternum scheduled for 2 pm today.
> We have another bone marrow on Monday to determine the genetic impact the new drug has.
> We will have two days of infusions of the new med per week here in Arkansas (must go in very slowly to avoid kidney complications).
> We do three weeks on/ 1 week off, then a week of testing.

As we were back out in the waiting area, we were warmly greeted by the Turkish family we had known from last year. The man was on his last legs literally when we last saw him. He was put on the experimental drug and he looked and sounded great! It was as if God sent an encouragement to us at our exact moment of need! PTL!!!

We just got back to the apartment and are going to have a sandwich before heading back for the next test.

Check what Dr. Google says about this med: carfilzomib
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carfilzomib

CHECK BACK AS WE JUST GOT CALLED IN
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Well-the short biopsy ended up taking 2 hours of a doctor leaning over Deb pushing a long needle into her sternum. Ever tried to push a needle thru a bone? Deb is on a strong painkiller to ease the biopsy pain. She got a strong directive to take pain meds every four hours and to take it easy. We got approved for the experimental drug and start that noon Saturday and Sunday. As a reward for good behavior, Deb gets to have another bone marrow procedure on Monday. After that we are cleared to return to Georgia until next weekend. Repeat three weeks, and one week off. Repeat.

Yesterday it was 84 degrees here. This morning it was in  the 50's. I had Deb pose in front of a leafless oak tree in our neighborhood. These trees are so beautiful! 

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We met a doctor from Macon, Ga who married a gal from Little Rock. Sure is nice to see the Bulldog Nation represented out here amongst these Sooyee-pigs!

 

Finally, many rooms and buildings here at UAMS are labeled with donors names. Please consider that every time you go into a church sanctuary,library, and many other buildings, you are blessed by the hardwork and generosity of previous generations. Many sacrificed so we have a facility today. Therefore, it is our duty to lay up for the next generation. Sort of a pay-forward system. What do you think?

Here's one I found today that benefits us: