Pee-sicles and Peptides: Fundraising for the Next Vaccine

This is the first time I recall being excited about finding four jars of urine in my freezer. (Or "pee-sicles" as Chelsa prefers to call them).

We are preparing for the development of the next immunotherapy vaccine with the Health & Wellness Center. I had a 2-hour conversation on the phone the other day with Dr. John Catanzaro, who talked us through why this vaccine is different and something to be particularly hopeful about... the most significant being that he is now partnering with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston! 

The first time that Chelsa and I read anything speaking of a CURE for Multiple Myeloma was forwarded by a friend from an article published about advances by doctors at Dana-Farber. This provided us with a great deal of hope, as well as assurance that the treatment we are pursuing with Health & Wellness Center is legitimate. It was SUPER encouraging to hear Dr. John say that he is now partnering with Dr. Ken Anderson at the Dana-Farber Institute to develop the same kind of vaccine for Chelsa that Dana-Farber Institute has experienced so much success with. (I included some links below if you want to know more).

This next vaccine is going to be an expensive one though.  Here's a recent email from Dr. John explaining the expenses we are looking at: 

<April 17, 2013>    Matt, Reminding you that Chelsa's HLA testing needs to be set up asap. We need to in three weeks time have her urine sent over frozen to Dana Farber to begin analysis. 

HLA High resolution testing should be $700 through Labcorp.

Vaccine Development Cost: The cost for them for the full analysis is $5,000. The cost of peptide development is $5500 and the blood vaccine $5500. The total cost of HLA matched vaccine with cells then is $16,000. This is with the cancer research group sponsoring 50%. Otherwise the cost is $32,000.

The Cost of vaccine development with HLA High Res testing included is $16,700.

Thank you,
Dr. John A. Catanzaro, Medical Director Clinical Research 
Health & Wellness Institute
HWIFC Cancer Research Group

We need your help in raising this $16,700.  

When first hearing this figure, I was a bit shocked, but thinking back on the past year... God was faithful to provide. There were SO MANY joyful givers, amazing examples of generosity, and beautiful moments in which we were lifted up and provided for by our friends, family, and an absolutely awesome community of people near and far away. Just looking back at our older blog posts -- my worries and temptation to take all of the responsibility on myself have been squished. 

If you feel moved to help us, please consider the following options:

• Give using a Checking/Savings Account
  This can be a one-time donation or you can arrange to have a small amount withdrawn from your bank account monthly for as long as you would like to support us.
• Give using a Credit or Debit Card
  This is run by our friends at EFT Giving who generously have decided to take 0%, so all of your donation goes directly to pay for Chelsa's medical expenses.
• Tax-Deductible GiftsYou can give a tax-deductible gift directly to the Health & Wellness Institute to help us pay for the development of Chelsa's vaccine by calling the Health & Wellness Institute at (425)697-6112 with your credit card information, or by mailing a check to the HWIFC Cancer Research Group: Payable to: HWICRG, *Be sure to indicate that it is for Chelsa Wojciakowski: 5603 230th St. S.W., Mountlake Terrace, WA 98043. 

"Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." ~2 Corinthians 9:6-8

"Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the LORD." ~1 Chronicles 29:9

Here's some of the news explaining why we are excited about this new vaccine treatment with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in case you are interested...

 "Peptide 'cocktail' elicits immune response to multiple myeloma" (December 12, 2011) -- this was the first encouraging article we read after Chelsa was first diagnosed (on May 18, 2011). I am confident that God has designed this timing for Chelsa to be on the forefront of the discovery for a cure that will help a lot of people with this disease and glorify HIS name in the process.   

"Targeted Cancer Drugs Keep Myeloma Patients Up And Running" (February 18, 2013) -- National Public Radio recently did this piece on the advances for treating Multiple Myeloma, including an interview with Dr. Ken Anderson from Dana-Farber (who Chel's doctor is working with). The segment quotes Dr. Anderson stating -- "We're close, close, close... that's doctor-speak for a CURE."

Here's another short piece about the therapy: "New technique extends cancer-fighting cells' potency in melanoma patients" (April 27, 2011)  And for the more medically savvy, here's some of the research results published by NCBI: "Myeloma-specific multiple peptides able to generate cytotoxic T lymphocytes: a potential therapeutic application in multiple myeloma." 

For the more business-minded, lot's of big money has recently been invested in funding the development of these vaccines, which we also find encouraging that money is being put behind this new treatment, including the Syros Pharmaceuticals company, founded by a few Dana-Farber docs, receiving $30mil. recently and huge growth being reported in the peptides sector of the biotechnology industry. 

Hiking through "Alaska".

Good morning sun!
Oh, wait the sun isn't up yet and won't be for hours...thank you steroids. :)

Matt's birthday pies!

In an attempt to not drive my loving husband crazy, I'm laying on the couch drinking tea and trying to do something productive with all this crazy steroid-induced energy I have between 2-6am. I stumbled upon this and wanted to share it. It's from the cancer advocacy website and has practical information and resources for people (and the people in their lives...hint, hint) living with all types of cancer, including multiple myeloma. It has several discussions that you can listen to or read the notes from (which is what I did).

Also, here's a little update. This week has been hard! Monday through Thursday I had doctor appointments EVERY DAY. I'm back on chemo and have been going in twice a week. I received my 4th(?) dendritic cell vaccine this week as well. I usually feel like I've been hit by a bus for a couple days afterwards because of my body's response. Encouraging but tough. The next vaccine, in a couple of months will be the Big Gun...we'll keep you posted! I'm exhausted, have daily pretty yucky headaches, but am hopeful.
*Again, that website above was really helpful to help me understand what my new normal is. The one below is too!

Another amazing article that has helped me is this. It's not about cancer. It's about a guy hiking through Alaska and getting whooped because he wasn't considering the terrain he was in, despite his extensive training. It's a great read and he learned and was changed from his experience. My dear friend, Lisee, shared it with me from her own journey in a rugged landscape, so to speak, and it has reshaped how I think about what I can accomplish in a day and the terrain I'm living in by having multiple myeloma. It's also helped me to think about what God might be showing me in the surrounding landscape, if only I slow down and take a look. I have a copy with notes scribbled on it from a counselor, asking super insightful questions and I'm happy to email you a copy, just let me know.

Blessings to you!
Chelsa

More Chemo for the Righteous

We are at the medical center now (this is a back-dated post that I forgot to put up) and Chelsa's blood counts are saying that she needs to start doing chemo treatments again (Velcade & Dexamethasone). We were expecting this based on previous checks & conversations, which helps, but it is still hard. The threat of needing a bone marrow stem-cell transplant in the future looms in our minds and is scary. It is made more real by the potential of using cord blood from Chelsa's soon-to-be-born nephew. (A long shot on whether this would even be usable, but we want as many options as possible). Our naturopathic doctor has been incredibly encouraging, telling us of advances in the Immunotherapy treatment she is receiving.  Here is a short quote from his most recent email: "I would recommend getting started (on chemo) because your body responded so well. The basic idea is to use velcade until you no longer respond and then do a bone marrow transplant. Of course, this is not the plan we have! What we need is for the aggressiveness of the myeloma to be slowed while your immune system is working on recalibrating. 'Never have I seen the righteous forsaken!' -Dr. Matt"

Dr. Matt concluded with a bit of scripture (Psalm 37:25) that both Chelsa and I found encouraging, but it also creates some questions...

1. Are we "righteous"? 
2. Chelsa has been given a terminal diagnosis, we have lost a child, we may not ever have the opportunity to have children and Chelsa may never be healed of this cancer.... are we "forsaken"? 

Number one is easy. No, neither Chelsa nor I is righteous. A few folks out there may make an argument for Chelsa's righteousness, but I can confirm as her husband with some level of certainty that she is not. (She would not argue with that, nor would she argue that I am any where close to righteous by any interpretation of that word.) Dr. Matt has seen my unrighteousness as I cursed under my breath at the expenses associated with treatment and probably Chelsa's too as she pinched me... and I don't think he shared this quote to remind us of our unrighteousness... so why be encouraged by this piece of scripture?

It's clear that we are "afflicted" and experiencing some pain and suffering. Forsaken means more of an abandonment though. If we're forsaken, it would be better to resign ourselves in order to avoid the disappointment of hope and make the best of the time we have. Here is where we have some choices and decisions to make about our situation concerning why are we afflicted and whether we are forsaken...

We can:

#1) Accept our fate and try to squeeze out as much happiness as we can.

 "The purpose of our lives is to be happy. Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from our own actions."-Dalai Lama "People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” - Abraham Lincoln 

We can believe that we live in an imperfect world (obviously), people getting diseases is part of that... so we should just choose to find happiness wherever we can and make the best of it. Well, Mr. Lincoln, it's pretty hard to simply make one's mind up to be happy. You knew this, you lived during a time of rampant slavery and oppression, and could the Dalai Lama convince me of any deeper happiness than getting to see my wife hold her grandchildren? Doubtful. So how do I pursue that purpose? While I do think it's important to find opportunities to be happy, I think there is a deeper joy available that can only be attached to a hope that no amount of determined choice-making can provide.

#2) Find peace in logical consequences.

 "Look before you leap for as you sow, ye are like to reap." ~Samuel Butler 

Sometimes we make bad choices. Like, I ate too many cookies and now I have a belly ache. This makes sense to me. I knew I shouldn't have so many cookies, but I did any ways, I enjoyed it, and now I'm suffering the consequence. I can move forward knowing that either next time I just won't eat so many, or I will do the same thing confident that the punishment will fit the crime. There is some peace in this understanding -- I can rely that tomorrow if I choose to eat my fruits, nuts, and veggies, and drink lots of water, I will feel great. Good choices = good consequences. Cancer doesn't play by these rules though. It is not a consequence of some bad decision that Chelsa made. She cannot choose to make a different decision in the future and rely on feeling better. 

#3) Consider we may not be on our own, but need to earn favor and not punishment.

 "Keep a good attitude and do the right thing even when it's hard. When you do that you are passing the test. And God promises you your marked moments are on their way." ~Joel Osteen (one of the most popular "Christian" preachers today)

The first two choices sort of imply that we're on our own (no God / Creator / Divine Being overseeing things). So let's look at an option where there is a God. Another common belief that people choose is "Be good and you'll be happy." Unfortunately, we all have our moments and sometimes are NOT good. Chelsa will be the first to admit that she was a BAD kid... so maybe she is being punished with this cancer. She is really good these days though... even during the hard times, yet, she still has cancer. This version of God, who gives us tests that we will inevitably fail, is cruel and ridiculous. Despite your misplaced popularity, Mr. Osteen, I'll name this crappy option #3. 

#4)  Propitiation.

 "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” - Jesus of Nazareth (Matt. 27:46)

The "propitiation" option is this... Chelsa and I are not righteous. There is a God and he knows we're not righteous. He is a God of justice -- and we've done bad things so we deserve punishment. HOWEVER, He is also a GOOD God ("Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is GOOD; for His loving kindness is everlasting" -Psalms 107:1). So "propitiation" means that someone else took the punishment that Chelsa and I deserve for our bad deeds and imperfections. The price has been paid and "the great exchange" took place, so now we ARE seen as righteous, not because of anything that we did, but because Jesus gave us his perfect life and righteousness so that we would be reconciled to God in perfect justice. This is a good option... though it's really not a choice, it's simply Good News. (Did you know that Gospel means "Good News"... not laws and standards to live your life and judge others by?) 

It doesn't end there though... things still aren't perfect... and, as it turns out, Jesus is not dead. He was forsaken, and by any record or historical account, he was dead. BUT then he defeated death and became the most famous person to ever live. He hung out for a bit so people could see, then went to heaven to remain as our living God, loving us, hearing our prayers, joining his all-powerful Father to watch us. They see Chelsa and I suffering. They see that things still are not right here in the world. Do I believe this?  I mean, really believe this?

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." -1 Corinthians 13:12

I know that many of you who may read this blog and who care deeply about Chelsa and it's hard to understand why she is going through all this. The sense that I have made of her situation is this --- we see only in part, but can trust that God is good and has promised good things in store for her... for us.  P

lease do not miss out on this personal relationship with Jesus... talk to him in prayer... I promise that he will then set your fears to rest. He is a game changer. You don't have to be perfect or righteous. Through Jesus, you are also reconciled and not forsaken. 

Please join me in praying for Chelsa to be healed. Please also join me in praising Jesus for the propitiation option, the Good News of the Gospel, reconciling us to God so that we do not need to fear suffering or death, but can instead look to him for comfort and look forward to an eternal glory. 

Giving temporarily down

It looks like our giving/donation link is temporarily down. We are working to get it back online and anticipate it will be up soon. Thanks to donations from some very generous friends and family over the past year, we still have funding to pay for Chelsa's current treatments. We are anticipating that some addition need may arise this coming Spring/Summer, so please be considering whether you may be able to help. 

In the meantime, we will continue to accept prayers -- thankfully that link to giving is ALWAYS open. Right now we are still focused on getting Chelsa's immune system in shape and her eyes healed up and free from styes or any other sort of infection. We will be on to starting the next couple rounds of Chemo soon... so please pray that this will knock the Multiple Myeloma cancer cell counts out for good. We are also continuing with the Immunotherapy Vaccinations and asking for prayer that the therapy is training her body's system to be a lean-mean-cancer-fighting machine. Finally, we could use prayer for the future. We both still have some deep desires to begin a family and could use encouragement to maintain that hope, patience that the right time will come, and wisdom for how to best steward the time and resources we currently have. 

What a wonderful couple of months it has been!

We just got back from a sun-filled, umbrella drink week in beautiful Kauai and thought it was due time for an update. 

In Seattle, you really NEED a break from the grey and the rain this time of year. I had been secretly setting aside money from nannying and surprised Matt awhile back with this trip. An early birthday present maybe?

A highlight of the trip was a 5 1/2 hour catamaran and snorkeling ride with spinner dolphins swimming alongside our boat. We also saw about 30 whales breach, lunge and tail-slap during the course of the day! Amazing! It was such a welcomed break from the routine of doctors appointments and getting poked and prodded on a weekly basis. So thankful!

Also while we were in Hawaii, my brother and his wife had their first baby! She is a beautiful little peanut named Katarina!

I have been feeling great and actually have been working out for a couple of weeks now. This is the first time I have felt healthy enough to exercise on a regular basis! What a blessing!

I have continued to receive weekly curcumin and high dose vitamin IV's from the Health & Wellness Center and saw my oncologist on Monday. My platelets, red blood cells and white blood cell counts were all low, which isn't great. We will find out the M-Protein levels at the end of this week. We do know that the chemo did not get all of the Myeloma and I will need to do some more. As to how much and when, we will know soon. 

Reading in Elyse Fitzpatrick's book, Comforts from the Cross I found this prayer super encouraging: "I pray that your grace would remind me that you are here and that you're working toward a better good then I could ever imagine." Jesus consistently pursues my heart and enables me to live open hearted and trusting Him rather then becoming bitter and angry, folding in on myself. I don't think I could make it down this long road with out that. Or at least not very well anyways!

Once again, your prayers are appreciated more then you know! Please pray for continued healing. We are so thankful for your overwhelming support and encouragement. 

*Pictures from top to bottom: Exploring the Grand Hyatt, cruising the Nepali Coast, living dangerously at the Waimea Canyon.

Rest

Yesterday Chelsa finished her last treatment for the immunotherapy vaccine and the day before had her last chemo treatment (velcade/steroids). She has been going to the doctor just about every day for the past month and I am so excited for her to have a break. God has ordained the timing of all this in a way far better than we could have planned. We had no control or say over the timing of any of this, yet both treatments have wrapped up at about the same time and just before the holidays an some fun events that we have planned. ...We will be heading to Portland to see Sufjan Stevens play Christmas songs, stay in a nice hotel, do some shopping, and pick up some tax-free booze. :) My mom, aunt and cousin are also coming to visit and we'll spend a long weekend on Whidbey Island. Then our bro & sis in law will visit and we'll have some Christmas fun. So much to look forward to!
To kick off the celebration, Chel went in for a hair cut today... her hair had grown quite long, and though it meant a slightly shorter cut than she planned, she used this opportunity to cut enough to donate to "Locks of Love". She was SO grateful not to lose her hair and it just seemed a fitting celebration.
Please pray that we can both stay healthy and enjoy this beautiful season! And thank you to all of you who have been praying and caring for us so well. We have both been feeling very well loved.
-Matt

It's a big week!

At the pumpkin patch awhile back!

Hi friends and family,
Just want to give an update on some exciting things happening this week. We would LOVE your prayers for:

• Finishing chemo on Thursday! So far the Velcade has done what its supposed to do and has killed off a ton of the myeloma but we are eager to see the final counts and talk about what's next. A big crazy miracle that we ask for often is that the myeloma would just be gone now!!
• Starting the 3rd dendritic cell vaccine from the Health & Wellness Institute today! I'm actually plugged into the iv as I type and will be back everyday to get the rest of the doses. As I've written before, how my body responds to the vaccine is unpredictable and I may experience flu-like symptoms or I could be fine. I was pretty nervous about possible interactions between the Velcade and the vaccine but have had all my questions answered and am going for it. Unless we have a big miracle and God heals me, we will most likely be doing three more of these vaccines over the next year. We are hopeful to put this difficult season behind us and look forward to starting a family in the future!
• We are SO thankful for the ways we have been taken care of by you all and just want to praise God for that (and also say a big Thank You to you also!!). Our tummies have been blessed by delicious meals cooked and delivered once a week. Our house has been getting cleaned by a dear friend so we don't live in a total pig stye. Your generosity through financial support has been a consistent gift to us during a season when I am unable to work regularly. Friends and family have accompanied me to almost every appointment so I have another set of eyes and ears and someone to laugh with me when I'm nervous. Another dear friend gave us her juicer so I am making amazingly nutritious (and often disgusting--not good at following recipes!) juice. I can make you some, wanna try it?! We have so much to be thankful for!!!
• My eyes are almost completely better and I would love some prayers that the styes would finish healing! I was hospitalized a few weeks ago for some vicious styes that took over my eyes and made my face swell up! I looked like I was transforming into a pug, or gollum, or the hunchback of Notre Dame...

Other then that, we are looking forward to some family visiting next week and having a good 'ol time with them!

Trusting Jesus!
Chelsa

"Yet"

We got some very good news last night...  

My oncologist called and told me my latest protein count, which is how they measure the amount of myeloma in my body. The last time it was tested several months ago, the myeloma was skyrocketing around 8 and now it's gone down to 2.8! The chemo is doing what it's supposed to, which is super encouraging especially being at the halfway point. 

So we're excited and we're thankful and we have joy! 

And then this little reminder creeps into my brain...and I find myself thinking about the whole 'no cure' aspect of this.  What am I supposed to do with that? Do we celebrate? I mean, how good is this news that my count is down if there is 'no cure'? Some days I really freak out on that. Like, seriously. On those days, thinking about 'no cure', I can't listen to songs from CDs Matt made me before our wedding without crying because of the dashed hopes that those songs represent. On those days, I can hardly pull myself together to accomplish anything at all. It can be really tough and scary and sucks the life right out of me.

And then last week it's as if the Holy Spirit whispered a word that changed everything: "Yet." There is no cure 'yet'. That gives me hope. There are breakthroughs and advancements in research being made all the time. The vaccine that I'm doing at Health & Wellness is super cutting edge and I have a great oncologist. I'm in good hands. Actually I'm in the best hands...  

Psalm 20

May the Lord answer you in the day of trouble!
    May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!
² May he send you help from the sanctuary
    and give you support from Zion!
³ May he remember all your offerings
    and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! Selah

⁴ May he grant you your heart's desire
    and fulfill all your plans!
⁵ May we shout for joy over your salvation,
    and in the name of our God set up our banners!
May the Lord fulfill all your petitions!

⁶ Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed;
    he will answer him from his holy heaven
    with the saving might of his right hand.
⁷ Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
    but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
⁸ They collapse and fall,
    but we rise and stand upright.

⁹ O Lord, save the king!
    May he answer us when we call.

Feeling better!

After some rest, some antibiotics, and a NEW HAIRCUT (thanks Tara Bowden), Chelsa is feeling a TON better! :) #SoGrateful! She's finally back at some decent blood count levels too--which meant back at the Chemo and kicking some cancer butt today!
*Also, my lady just took a pottery class...check it out! -->

Back to the hospital

Well shit. We're back at the hospital again. Chelsa had a 102 degree fever today and went in. We dont mess around anymore. The doctor thinks its the flu, but we're waiting on a few more tests. So far the chemo has seemed to go okay, so hoping it is just the flu and that she recovers okay. She gets another blood transfusion tomorrow--she just had one last Friday and is already due for another. I hate this.

Redemption Groups started tonight at Mars Hill. I shared Chel & my story with everyone while waiting for her to get admitted to a room. It was a good to reflect while sharing our story and remember all the ways that God is providing for us, that he is sovereign over this (in ways I don't understand), that his back is not turned, but that he sees us and is good. I hate that my sweet beautiful wife is sick with every fiber of my being. I hate the uncertainty. I hate that none of this seems fair. But I love our good God, who may not give me what I want, when I want, but who has promised Chelsa and I that we have been reconciled to him through Jesus's cross and that we don't have to look at the possibility of death, or even the sickness she's experiencing now, with any despair... because everything will be made RIGHT by his hand in the end. I find a lot of hope in his ability to work a miracle and heal her, but I find RELIEF in that promise.
-M

Chel shared this with me yesterday:
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." 2 cor 4:16-18

For your reading enjoyment.

It's 5:27a.m....and I've been up since 3:30a.m....what better time to update the blog!? 

I think the lack of sleep is either due to the steroids I started taking yesterday evening to accompany the Velcade or just anxiety about what's next. I think I am just scared about the possibility of feeling awful for the next few months.

In several hours, I go to Health & Wellness to get my normal vitamin IV. It is such a comfort to have them walking beside us through this, constantly tailoring my vitamins, supplements and dendritic cell vaccine. 

After that, I go straight to get a transfusion because my hematocrit is at 18. I've gotten so used to functioning with so little energy...and I never thought I'd be SO thankful for people who donate blood! 

The first chemo injection was not bad at all and I am thankful! As one of my wise MIL's, Cindy, pointed out, the trauma of getting my nose cauterized (or should I say, the inside of my face burned!!!) the day before really made chemo seem like no big deal. A good way to see God's faithfulness in everything!

Anywho, before I write anything too crazy I just want to say thank you to all the people that have been supporting us through prayer, meals, cleaning, financially or a sweet note in the mail. You have no idea  how encouraging that is to both Matt and I. I have seen God's faithfulness in the hardest and lowest of times through you. Thank you!!

"For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor the arrow that flies in the day." Psalm 91:3-5 New Living Translation

Chemotherapy drugs start this Wednesday

Hi All,

We have been meaning to write another update about all of the ways we have been blessed recently and all of the generosity that has been poured out by our community, along with some totals of the donations we have received and where it puts us in paying for her treatments... but it has been a busy couple of weeks and I'm still adding and organizing. I can say that we are feeling confident in being able to cover treatment needs through the end of 2012. God has continued to provide -- financially, through our church peeps bringing us awesome meals for dinner, and with LOTS of love and encouragement.

Chelsa will begin chemotherapy drugs this week Wednesay, 9/12/12, including Velcade (Bortezomib -- a proteasome inhibitor) and Dexamethasone (Decadron -- an  anti-inflammatory steroid) under the care of Dr. Kaplan at Swedish Medical. We are a little worried about this, but after ensuring that Chelsa's doctors at Health & Wellness are on-board with the decision, that it will pair well with her immunotherapy vaccine and treatments, and that the doctors are in communication with one another... we are feeling confident that it is the right thing to do and are the correct steps toward beating the Multiple Myeloma.  We would appreciate your prayers, specifically that the drugs work in concert with the immunotherapy vaccine to kill the cancerous cells and boast her body's immune system to create healthy cells. Please pray against the risks and side affects -- we are told that possibilities include infection or peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage that could mean numbness, pain, or muscle problems). We are also told that this is a standard treatment that has proven to be very effective and that not everyone experiences side effects. Our doctors both feel confident that Chelsa's youth, amazing spirit, and the track record she has been establishing for bouncing back from sickness puts her the top of class for cancer battling.

The long and short is that we don't know quite what to expect from starting these drugs, but she completed the second immunotherapy vaccine last week and is feeling strong and ready for the next step. God has been faithful to provide thus far and we are confident that he will see us through.

Thank you for your love, care, and prayers!

~Matt (& Chelsa -- she has promised to write an update for you all but wants to wait until after Wednesday)

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." Psalm 20:7

Like a champ.

We've had a lot of information to process, sorry for the delay in posting. We have been very encouraged by our family and friends who have stepped up to bring us a meal when I'm feeling like crap, send a kind prayer or text or given financial support. Seriously blown away!

Thank you!!!!!

Here's a brief recap of the past week and what's coming up.

Got a transfusion yesterday & feeling like a champ. 

This is what "feeling like a champ" looks like.

Getting SO excited for the Benefit Party on Tuesday! People have donated some pretty sweet stuff for the silent auction...ahem...Jamie Joseph!!!!

After much consideration, conversation and prayer, we have come to the conclusion that it's time for chemo.  I felt pretty scared (mostly that I would lose my hair*, come on, I'm a girl!) but have hope and courage at the moment and am ready to do what is necessary! We are grateful for the collaboration between Dr. Kaplan and Dr. Angove, who are tailoring the dosage and frequency of my upcoming chemotherapy treatment. It sounds like possibly next week, I will begin taking Velcade (chemo), a steroid and continuing to pump in the high dose vitamins to pump up my immune system. The goal is for the chemo to get the M-Spike (bad) down while the steroid helps tame the side effects and the naturopathic dendritic cell vaccine will attach itself to the cancer and eat it. Also, the naturopath will be walking with us every step of the way to make sure that I'm getting proper nutrition and as healthy as possible. 

Thanks again for your prayers and support along the way! 

*The type of chemo most likely will not cause my hair to fall out! Yep, I cried with relief.

Blood Draw

Chelsa is about to have her blood drawn for the second vaccine. Got some bad news about her M-protein counts and worried she may have to start on a chemo drug. We are trusting God's guidance, but would appreciate prayers against fear.
-Matt & Chelsa

\/ Look at all those viles---hope there's enough in her to fill them.

A Bouncy House, Music and a Silent Auction!?

I am starting to get the idea that I am loved...and it blows my mind. That people have come out of the woodwork to encourage and support us through this trying time. That God is good, even when I do nothing to deserve it. I am so thankful and humbled.

On that note, my sister and some dear friends have organized a benefit party to raise money for my treatment and it's going to be, well, a PARTY!! Please come if you are in the area, I'd love to see your face!

https://www.facebook.com/events/158906390912832/

There will be a bouncy house, music from the one and only Cam Huxford IV, and a silent auction. Soooo fancy and fun!

Blood counts back up! Platelets down.

For some reason this never posted on Friday morning...

Begin forwarded message:

Date: July 27, 2012 10:30:07 AM PDT

Just a brief update: We just had an appointment with Chelsa's oncologist this morning. He let us know that her blood counts are back up and looking really good following the transfusion last weekend. However, her platelet counts are the lowest they've been (95, down from 425 last summer). This could be due to a few different reasons -- he ordered more tests, as well as a bone scan (skeletal survey). Hopefully these will reveal whether the issue is due to the Multiple Myeloma or something else... if those tests don't reveal an answer, Chel will have to do another Bone Marrow Biopsy... last time she did this was in the midst of being diagnosed with MM. It was a HORRIBLE experience. I don't think I have ever seen her so in pain or upset... so we are both hoping that she will not have to go through that again.
Chelsa is currently at the Health & Wellness Center getting her weekly IV of currcumin. Hoping that they will have more information and suggestions for getting her nose bleeds, nausea, and energy back in shape too. They are REALLY good at managing her overall health and giving very practical suggestions to help us address some of the root issues going on in her body.
Generosity has been continuing to be poured out on us -- I am hoping to have a chance to post an update on how much has been raised toward her treatment in addition to some other upcoming exciting things soon. (Can someone say Benefit Concert with an Ice Cream Truck?!!) We will be traveling to Michigan on Sunday to see my family, so should have some time on the way.
As always, prayers are appreciated. Hope you are inspired by Olympics tonight.
~Matt

Grand Rapids! Trufant! Chicago!

We leave tomorrow morning to visit family and celebrate Becky & Dustin's wedding. We're really looking forward to the trip. It was another hard week and I think we might drive one another crazy if we don't have a little change of pace...so the timing is good. It's crazy to pack when we've become so high-maintenance (yes, I include myself, not just Chelsa). This is a photo of the vitamins, supplements, and oddities that Chelsa will take in just one week. It does not include candy...that's in my bag.

Low Hemoglobin

We just found out that Chelsa has an extremely low hemoglobin (blood) count -- may mean another transfusion. :( Prayers are appreciated.
~Matt

Financial Update: We are loved... only $5455 left to go!

Thank you everyone for your donations! The past two weeks we have received so many encouraging words and generous gifts from family, friends, coworkers, and our generous community. We are feeling very loved. As of tonight, $3,445 has been donated to help us reach our goal of $8,900 for Chelsa's next vaccine.
 
We are nearing the half-way point! We have $5,455 left to raise for this next round. Please consider helping us continue to ask for support by sharing our blog on your Facebook page, emailing it to your contact list, or posting our story wherever you feel comfortable in doing so: http://chelsawojo.blogspot.com  Also, if you have any suggestions for us in continuing to raise funds, or if you would just like to send us some encouragement, you can email us at mattwojciakowski@gmail.com.

This past weekend was a rough one -- Chelsa has been feeling nauseous, having a lot of trouble with digestion and appetite, still having nosebleeds, and had little energy. I have found myself with a lot of anxiety, not sleeping well, frustrated that I can't help her, worried about whether we are doing the right things, and stressed about some upcoming decisions. Chelsa is scheduled to have 14 viles of blood drawn this Friday, but we're worried about whether she can spare it and what it would mean for her already crummy health.

We have a trip scheduled to visit family in Michigan and attend a good friend's wedding in Chicago in two weeks. We are both very excited and nervous about how Chelsa's health and energy will be by then. So please keep us in your prayers -- we would really appreciate prayers specifically for Chelsa's energy, stomach, nose, and battle with the Multiple Myeloma, for our trip, for Matt's anxiety and attitude, for financial provision, and for Chelsa's doctors (Dr. Kaplan, Dr. Angove, Dr. Catanzaro, and Dr. Syko) to have wisdom and guidance in their prescriptions, treatments, and research.   

Thank you again for your love and support. We are so very thankful.
~Matt

*Here is a photo of us with Seattle's new 200ft high Ferris Wheel. Apparently the enclosed gondolas have glass bottom floors that extend 40ft over the Puget Sound and have heating/air conditioning... seems a little fancy. I prefer the open-air ferris wheels thrown up in a mall parking lot by carnies over a long weekend myself -- a little rattle in the rotation adds just as much thrill. Chelsa seems pretty excited about this new one however in case anyone wants to join her for a ride.

It's time for the next vaccine! 


This is #2 of 6 and I am ready to kick the myeloma in it's booty. My blood test after the first vaccine showed that the M-protein (the cancerous stuff) stopped increasing, so I am eager to see what this one will do! 


The process goes something like this:


-Health & Wellness takes 12 vials of blood from me to create the vaccine with. (Yes, twelve vials of blood from the anemic girl... I'm a little worried about this).


-Six weeks later, the vaccine is ready.  For more details see: http://www.hwicancerresearch.org/index.cfm?id=articles


-To receive the vaccine, I go to Health & Wellness 4 days in a row and get an IV which takes about an hour each time. My body is very sensitive to this process, last time I had nausea and stomach flu symptoms every night... which the doctors said is a good sign, but not so fun for me.


-Then I am given a vial of peptides that Matt so graciously gives me a shot at home with every other day for about 2 months. Ouch!


Health & Wellness graciously reduced the price of my vaccine to $8,900 (the normal cost is $15,000). 


The vaccine is not covered by insurance, so we are now on a time sensitive payment plan... paying $1483.33 every 2 weeks, beginning 7/20/12. 


We are very grateful to those who have donated toward this treatment. We have already raised $1,825... enough to cover our first payment! Please consider helping us toward reaching our remaining payments... only $7,075 left to go!   


Our friends set up an online giving account that goes directly to us, with no fees. It also allows those interested and unable to give a large amount to make a monthly giving commitment that comes straight out of your account. You can also give a tax-free donation to the Health & Wellness Center by calling (425) 697-6112 or sending a check (see the online giving link above). 


Thanks for your prayers and support through this hard time!