It has been determined by the doctors that Kev needs some additional chemo and radiation in order to make the fight more fair for the donor cells.  I will bullet point recent developments and the subsequent plan.

• Kev's skin GVHD has largely resolved so the docs were concerned that perhaps he was losing chimerism (the level of donor engraftment).  Test showed, however, that he is still fully engrafted, so no further donor cells will be given at this time.
• The skin plasmacytomas are not shrinking fast enough, if at all, at this time.
• An MRI showed cancer involvement in a nerve in his lower back.

Plan:

• Receive an OP chemo called Pomalidomide (technically it's immunotherapy, not chemo, since it works to boost the immune system's response to cancer cells).
• Start radiation on the nerve area that shows cancer involvement.
• Remove as much cancer as possible so the donor cells have a fair shot at working.  

The allo transplant is NOT deemed a failure just because we are undergoing additional treatment.  Ideal circumstances would've had Kev in a complete remission prior to the allo, allowing time for engraftment and immune response if/when the cancer returns.  In our case, we didn't have this, so we need to fight along with the donor cells.  

We are still fighting!!  There are still options on the table, including some chemo agents that haven't been released yet.  Kev continues to fight for his life like a gladiator and I thank God that he has made Kev so tough and resilient.  Someone without these qualities may not have made it this far.  

I am weary of this battle, as I so "subtly" indicated in my poem a few weeks ago ;-).  But a wise person recently reminded me of these words, spoken by Jesus:  if your enemy strikes your right cheek, give him your left also (Matt 5:39).  

When circumstances threaten to make me step away, I vow to make myself vulnerable again, as this is what Jesus asks of me.  It is very challenging, but if I cannot live my faith out now, under these circumstances, then what am I doing here?  NOW is the time that God has called us to, and NOW is the time that His strength shall be revealed.  

Lord, make me a vessel of your Word.  Take away my strength so others can see who truly has it.  If it is your will, please heal Kevin completely and in a way that leaves no doubt of who truly holds the power.  Take away the worldly sources that provide false hope, so that my hope rests solely in you.

Amen.

Love you all.

Kristin

We continue to fight on.  Due to the roller coaster ride of blood levels, Kev and I have decided that we are no longer going to put any faith and power in these numbers.  We have found that, quickly, they can become a false idol to bow down to.  So--I am no longer going to be posting specifics about blood levels, instead posting only when they pertain to a change in treatment course.

We have adjusted to living life with these GVHD symptoms, which are mostly skin changes and mild digestive issues.  We are grateful for no new skin plasmacytomas and continue to pray for the war being waged in Kev's body.

Overall, Kev is doing very well.  He is working daily, and, in general, sleeping better at night.  He continues to have some mild to moderate back pain, but he stays on top of it with the doctors.  He also continues with physical therapy to regain strength and general conditioning.  We are at the doctor only once per week, which is a nice thing.

There will be some more tests coming up to monitor the progress of the transplant and when we receive these results, I will do another post to update if there are any treatment changes.

I really just want to write a huge THANK YOU to all of you who have hung with us over this last year.  It is a work in progress for me learning how much to share and how much to withhold, and our wonderful support network has been so understanding.
I want to share with you another poem that I have written.  I share because I feel like regular words just aren't enough anymore.  If you care to read it, I hope it lets you in to my heart a little, and if you don't want to read it, that's okay too :-).

God bless you everyone,
Kristin

The Battle (by Kristin)

The battle is painfully long, the victories maddeningly insufficient.
What does your help look like during your obvious pursuit?
Surely your help will come how I will it!

Can war be waged amidst the white flag of surrender?
You expect a will to fight, but it must be fought laying down.  
Surely you cannot expect a victory!

How can I take up weapons to kill and yet be at peace with their fallibility?
For you smash my faith in these earthly weapons with a flick of your finger.
Where is your mercy?  Surely your mercy will come on my terms!

On my face in surrender, you forsake my permission and find a place within me where you do not dwell.
How long will you search me and find these hidden places?  Surely I'll tell you when you've received all of me!

How can I fight for life under the cloak of sovereignty?
Yes, I have prayed, "your will be done," and betrayed you.  
But surely I know your will!

My love is pierced with mistrust, thus you take me further into the fire.
I did not ask for such as this.  Surely this isn't a refining fire!

Oh, God, there seems not much left to me, must we do this?
I see where you want me, but, surely this is where you cannot be!

So here am I:  spent, broken, burned, searched, humbled.

And here is you, dwelling within a hackneyed clay pot lain at the bottom of the mire.

Yes, yes! 
Surely, here you are.