Kevin is almost completely through his second round of chemotherapy.  He and I agree that this round has seemingly gone by more quickly than round one, mostly because we know what to expect now.  We see patterns with his symptoms, blood counts, pain level, and mood based on what day of the regimen it is.  So although the symptoms are still not fun, they are "easier" to tolerate when we know what is causing them and when they'll resolve. 

The most current and aggressive form of treatment for multiple myeloma at this point is combining chemotherapy (Revlimid, Dexmethosone, and Velcade) with what is called an autologous stem cell transplant.  Autologous means that they use your own stem cells (a blessing that we don't need to do a donor search!).  The stem cells are harvested intravenously and done on an outpatient basis.  In order for the stem cells to "take," one needs to start with what I would like to term "a clean slate."  This puts a nice label on what is a nasty procedure:  a very intense form of chemotherapy that essentially kills off your bone marrow.  When the cancer free stem cells are returned to the body, ideally they will multiply in a myeloma free environment.  Unfortunately, this means a 3-4 week hospital stay.  Reserach shows that doing an autologous stem cell transplant extends remission by about 5 to 10 years--that is, if the transplant is deemed successful.  This transplant is tentatively slated for the end of December or beginning of January.  Please pray specifically for a successful transplant.

We are very sad about the news of the extended hospital stay, not to mention scared about this intense chemotherapy.  Thus far he has been able to avoid losing his hair, but this form of chemo will make him very ill and he will lose his hair.  We have made a family decision that we don't want our young girls to see their daddy under these circumstances, so this separation will be an additional strain.  Please pray for our girls.   

Sometimes everything seems so real that it's crushing, and other days we can hardly believe that all of this is true.  I will be honest and admit that sometimes I cry and rage at God.  This all seems so senseless!  Why Kevin?  Why us?  Why our children?  Aren't we good people, God?  But I am reminded that being a follower of Christ doesn't exclude you from suffering.  If that was the case, everyone would want to jump on board and the expression of love that we recieve would be so diminished that it wouldn't be love at all--just a no-brainer deal of a lifetime.  I didn't sign up for that.  The love I recieve is so great that it cannot even be taken from me when devastation rocks my life.  Thank you God, thank you for loving me. 

And thank you all for all of your continued prayers, help, thoughts, kindness, empathy, notes, flowers, cards, and hugs.  I always mention how humbled I am and it continues to be true. 

Love to you all,

Kristin