Doctor's Report

One of Deb's friends made some gifts to pass out to classmates and nurses. Each one is meant to encourage folks that are suffering. There is red coral that stands for blood, fish vertabrae to remind us of the most common bones affected, and the ceramic Hope Dove. Deb was so creative in her wrapping.

We were heading to the chemo clinic to get Deb's port accessed and flushed when the phone rang and the MRI team asked Deb to come back and repeat a DWIBS MRI.

We barely made it to the doctors' appointment in time to wait a few more hours. Would have hated to miss the wait!

Dr van Rhee came in and spent some time checking all the labs and reports. Then he fired up the computer and looked at the latest MRIs and PET scans.He pulled up a new image and posted the last one next to it. He began to smile as he noted that each one of this week's images showed improvement. When he smiled, we smiled!

He then picked up the phone and dictated his report. By allowing us to hear his dictation, he only has to say it once, most of the time. Of course, he gets somewhat technical on us but we get to ask all the questions we want to.

Here's some of what he said:

Lesions: significantly better
M component: Trace only
Light chains: Was 9.7, now normal
Bone marrow: normal
Imaging: considerably better
PET: much better

His plan: one month at home doing maintenance level chemo weekly . Be back in Arkansas for testing in a month.

Take 1.6 Velcade sub
Dex day of and day after Velcade
Cytoxin drip once/month
Plus a boatload of other meds

Meanwhile, he will explore with Deb's insurance plan the possibility of a third stem cell transplant.

I asked if he thought the third stem cell transplant was critical enough for us to begin liquidating in order to self-fund the procedure. He said 'let's try this month on the therapy and then re-test. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.'

He also marked Deb's records to go before the entire staff next Tuesday to discuss her case in detail with doctors, researchers, etc. to confirm that we are on the best track for Deb. That is so encouraging because many doctors are little 'gods' in their own minds and do not want anyone else's thoughts and certainly no questioning. You should hear  the stories we have heard from other institutions! Not UAMS! This is an amazing place!

We got to ask about the meaning of 'Salvage therapy' that he had suggested for Deb. Doc said the term means that 'front line therapy has failed and you must use a secondary therapy.'

So, we are happily returning home for a month of weekly chemo. We have to pick up a load of prescriptions and co-ordinate with the Ga clinic.

Plan is to fly home in Redbird tomorrow. You can follow us on  www.flightaware.com . Use N680V for the N number.

We are emotionally drained after today and look forward to a good rest tonight. We are so grateful for the report.

Blessings All!