Saturday-'The Plan'-subject to change

Deb's labs showed steady improvement and she was a 4+ on white cells, so she can now handle a germ on equal footing. Her CRP indicator of infection has come down towards normal. The APN said she should have no problems being released on Monday.

We found out that Dr van Rhee is on vacation next week and we will be seeing his APN assistant. We had a thirty minute closed-door session with her. We discussed all the options Dr van Rhee had put before us and got her perspective. After all, she sees many cases and results: we only know ours.

The killer cell treatment has been approved by the insurance company  but is a new protocol and has only had a few test subjects. Deb is hesitant to be on the 'bleeding edge' of science. Cutting edge is stressful enough. We did come to understand that each killer cell can kill up to 4 cancer cells. Then a booster shot of cells can kill more cancer. That's why they use strong chemo to 'reduce the tumor load' before starting the killer cells.

We also agree that Deb cannot be out of treatment long or her myeloma will become aggressive again. We are talking about a matter of a few weeks .

There are other therapies and drugs being tested that are much further along in the approval process that the APN thinks would be good for Deb.

One that we liked involves oral chemo (pills) at home with a monthly checkup in Arkansas. That would be a dream!

In any event, based on our best knowledge as of today, we will return to Georgia on Monday afternoon Aug 13th  or Tuesday morning Aug 14th next week. We will have to be back in Arkansas to meet with Dr van Rhee on the following Thursday Aug 23. 

Today the nurse changing Deb's dressing on her arm which covers her line moved the lines in her veins some and hurt Deb. Deb is in some pain, and coupled with the emotions of the morning discussion and options, none of which we like, Deb is drained. We did go to a restaurant where Deb's simple order was messed up, resulting in having to ask for a manager. So, it has not been such a wonderful day.

But, things can change!

Labs tomorrow.

Blessings!