The Journey Continues:Update on Options

The weird thing about this Doctor's visit was that we thought we were going down to hear options and that we would than choose what was the best option.  Well the decision was already made for us which made it very easy.  The Doctor came in and said  okay this is the plan.  Richard will be started on a chemo called Bendamustine.  It is a chemo that is specifically used for lymphoma, leukemia, multiple myelomas and macroglbulinemia patients that have a failed transplant.  The doctor also mentioned that they would be in contact with the bone marrow donor to see about getting some more cells.  They will not do another transplant but will give the cells through IV, which is how he got them before, but they will not be killing his immune system.  The hope is that this time the cells will attack any cancer cells.

Richard will be doing chemo every three weeks and whatever day that is on he will also see the Doctor or  a PA on that day.  The Doctor was very optimistic and said that probably after two treatments another pet scan will be performed to see the progress if any and decided what to do from there.  He did mention that Richard could have chronic Hodgkin's Lymphoma and some have lived many years with it.

Thanks again for the prayers!!

1 Thessalonians 5:18

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.


I also thought that the verse of the day on Bible gateway was a great one!

Psalm 119:143

New International Version (NIV)

¹⁴³ Trouble and distress have come upon me,
    but your commands give me delight.

The Journey Continues:Options

The results are in from the biopsy.  It is positive for cancer.  Richard and I will meet with the doctor Wednesday at three(blood work at two) to figure out our options.  We had already been told about three different chemo treatments that are available and have showed good results.  It is good to have options and we will have many questions.

Now Richard told me that I didn't have the option to cry.  I beg to differ, unbidden tears spring to my eyes just writing this.  I am a cryer and I really don't have any options but to cry.  I cry when I am happy, sad and sometimes for no reason.  I will try to have options on when I cry.  I will try to not cry in front of my husband and mainly in private but there is no guarantee.  I have told many people that I am not strong despite my tears but because of my tears.  I believe that God gave me the gift of tears.  Somehow no matter how tough things seem I feel better after a good cry.  Maybe my husband could learn from that.

Richard is very strong and he is determined.  He will fight to victory and if you know him you know that he knows that victory is in whatever happens.  Whether he is cured or whether he ends up in heaven that will be his victory.  He is not worried about that but about his family.  His journey with cancer started in 2009 and he has fought for every victory.

Richard's fight with cancer and graft/vs/host reminds me of the fight we struggle with daily.  Just as his cancer  decided to keep coming back so does satin in our spiritual fight.  We make strides and then setbacks.  We struggle daily to defeat the devil.  I need to remember that God is the one to turn to daily.  I can't do this on my own or I don't win.  The devil does.  Remember we all have options!  What about you?  What are your options?

God has given us another gift. The prayers!  Many of you pray daily for us.  Thank-you from the bottom my heart!!

Proverbs 3:5-6

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[a]