Each day brings new hope and each morning I wake to new blessings. The outpouring of support I received after my last update was amazing, showing me that honesty is always the best route--especially when it comes to faith. The road of faith is bumpy. It becomes so obvious why David's cries to the Lord in the Psalms are such an important part of God's word. We need to be HONEST about our feelings during a difficult time in our life. How can we expect God to give us what we need if we cannot be real with Him or with our fellow man? So, I thank all who emailed me or called me with words of love and support.

Now, down to business :-). 
Having myeloma involvement in the brain meninges and along the spinal cord can cause a plethora of strange symptoms.  Clumpings of cells in certain areas around the brain can lead to various physical issues.  For about the last week and a half, Kev has been experiencing double vision and arm/hand weakness.  He has had 6 of 13 radiation treatments to his brain and spinal column (also called "neuroaxis radiation"), and he is already seeing functional improvements in his vision.  We are very encouraged that the radiation will continue to kill off the myeloma around his brain and in his CSF and his symptoms will disappear completely.  Also, radiation continues to work for as long as 4 weeks after his last treatment.

A few days ago, Kev and I discovered some small plasmacytomas on his stomach and leg.  We knew realistically that this cancer is aggressive and won't stay in his CSF for long-- but finding the plasmacytomas was still difficult.  This doesn't change anything from a treatment standpoint however, since the docs were planning to treat this as if it was systemic anyway. 
 
I mentioned in the last update that another auto transplant was being considered prior to the allo (donor) transplant.  The more I ponder this treatment option, the more I am leaning away from it.  It didn't work at all the first time, and it requires more hospitalization.  I'm just not convinced it should be the default option.  I asked our oncologist about this today, and he said that there are 2 new chemo agents that have been released very recently, specifically for myeloma.  Kev's cancer has never seen these drugs, so they may be very effective in removing the disease "bulk" prior to the allo (which is the goal--get the disease as low as possible before a transplant).  Plus, it would be OP therapy and he could return to work (assuming the radiation works on his arm and vision symptoms) in the interim before the allo transplant.  The doc plans to confer with our specialist in Chicago and hopefully we'll have a decision by the time the radiation is complete (the decision being the new chemo agents versus another auto transplant).  Or--maybe the specialist will have another idea that no one here has thought of yet.  Who knows?

Kev and I have both been off work these last two weeks and I have to say, the trauma we've experienced of late has brought us closer than we've ever been in our marriage.  A blessing such as this strengthens my trust in God and demonstrates to me that God has not forsaken us.  He loves us and I can feel the Holy Spirit quietly nudging me to trust Him.  Not just in my head--but fully in my heart.  I talk a lot about trusting the Lord, but I cannot reiterate enough how important it is to a follower of Christ.  The bad days are bad, but God never promises anything to the contrary.  What He does promise is "no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and no human mind has conceived the things God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9), and may I take the liberty to add "and trust Him." 

And this, my friends, is good news. 

God bless you all.

Kristin