PLAN B

Terry met with the multiple myeloma specialist yesterday. He gave us quite a bit of hope for the immediate and long term future. He is recommending that she go back to the heavy duty chemo regimen that she had been on prior to her recent hospitalization. She will be on that for 6 weeks after which she will be weaned down or off of most chemo meeds over the period of about 6-8 months. She will have to stay on one or another chemo agents and a steroid, probably forever. If or when her disease starts to rear its ugly head again, then the medications would have to be reintroduced again. He seems to think that Terry may get some longevity doing this way. Let's hope she can.
In the meantime some good news is that he wants her to start her immunizations. She lost all immunity against things like polio, tetanus, diphtheria, etc. when she had her first transplant. Once she is properly immunized and if her health allows it, then we can start our international travels again. The important thing is getting her cancer in tow and we are praying for that daily.
Thanks for all of your support.

ON TO PLAN B

Terry met with the transplant specialist yesterday. His recommendation is not to do another transplant. He feels that Terry's heart might not be able to stand the rigors of another procedure. She has had two serious cardiac events since the first transplant in 12/09. In January 2010, she was diagnosed with congestive heart failure(CHF) and also had a stent put in a blocked artery. She has since recovered completely from that and no longer has CHF. Last month she had a series of cardiac events where her pulse and blood pressure dropped through the floor. That has since been taken care of, but the transplant physician doesn't want to take any chances that there could be something even more serious with her heart should they do a transplant.
So it is on to plan B. Terry will now be going to another set of specialists who will be treating her medically. At this moment in time, we are not sure what that will entail. I'll keep you posted.
I think it is ironic that she is having heart problems. Terry has the most wonderful and giving heart of anyone I know. We have been told that God doesn't close a door unless He opens another one. I hope this new door has a golden heart behind it for my golden girl.
Take care one and all and be thankful for every day.

THE LATEST MONTH IN REVIEW

Last month we were getting ready for a transplant to take place this month. Now things are up in the air. Terry spent two weeks in the hospital after she fainted and had a series of medical misadventures. She wound up with pneumonia, many episodes of bradycardia (very low heart rate), high blood carbon dioxide and sleep apnea. At one time she had an external pacemaker put in. She also was put on a BiPAP machine.
The good news is that the pneumonia is cleared, the bradycardia is gone, the pacemaker is out. She will keep the BiPAP for the foreseeable future. The great news is after two weeks as a guest of the University of Michigan cardiology unit she is home.
However, with these latest medical travails her transplant has been delayed. Her transplant physician wants to see her in a few days, to reevaluate her medical status. There is a possibility that she will not be eligible for a transplant now. If that is the case it will be on to plan B, whatever that is.
I'll let you all know as soon as we know anything.
Take care, love each other and cherish every day.