Oh my stars, it's been awhile!

Sorry for the hiatus on health updates. 

A ton has happened since the last update and hopefully from Facebook or regular old conversations, we haven't kept our friends and family totally out of the loop! But, here's what's happening now!

Over the last year, I was on a drug that really helped knock down my M-Spike (the way the cancer is measured). I felt like me again. I was volunteering at an organic farm once a week, starting working part time at a letterpress studio, it has been pretty awesome. 

Around November 2014, the drug basically had done everything it was going to do for me and the M-Spike plateaued. We went to Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston and met with Dr. Munshi to get a second opinion. It was a reassuring, great trip and we felt ready to pursue an autologous stem cell transplant. According to Dr. Munshi and my oncologist, Dr. Kaplan (& Seattle Cancer Care Alliance), the plan was to start a 3 drug combo to really kick the cancer's ass, get the M-Spike as close to zero as possible and do the stem cell transplant. This would potentially get me 10-20 years of remission--and by then, who knows, Myeloma could be totally cured?! 

But, it seems like nothing has been simple for me...

We started the 3 drug combo in January. I got 2 doses and ended up in the ICU with an incredibly high fever--105.5! High fevers had typically been my response to one of the drugs, but this one was bad. I picked up a couple common viruses because of my lowered white blood cell count and it nearly did me in. It was pretty scary to say the least. Thankfully, I bounced back pretty quickly and within a couple of weeks I was good to go and ready to try a different drug in the 3 drug combo, in hopes that I would do better this time.

Again, I got 2 doses of the new drug and ended up in the ICU. Not my idea of a good time! This time, in addition to the fever and crazy vomiting, my blood pressure became dangerously low (like potential of organs shutting down) and my heart rate was incredibly high. It was super scary, but again, thankfully I bounced back very quickly and was home within a couple days.

My oncologist has agreed that I had a crazy reaction to the drug and has collaborated with his colleagues on what to do next. We are so thankful for this collaboration. I will be starting a new 3 drug combination on the 10th. Needless to say, your prayers are very much appreciated!!

Things to pray for:

• That I do incredibly well on these new drugs and can safely and quickly get on the road to remission!
• Matt and I are worn down. Still trusting God, but wondering how long we will be in this difficult place. Really hoping for some rest and for years and years of health!
• That all these drugs don't cause infertility. We would LOVE to have kids.
• Thankful for Matt's new job at Microsoft!!
• Thankful for our incredible family and friends who have prayed, helped with meals, housecleaning and gone with me to appointments.

Some encouragements during this time:

• This reminder of God's character.
• I've been listening to Rick Warren's sermons lately and was encouraged by this one.

"I will praise the Lord no matter what happens. I will constantly speak of his glories and grace." Psalm 34:1 NLT 

"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Philippians 4:4-8