Psalm 118:14 "The Lord is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation."

Hello! You guys are so sweet! Frank and I have loved reading the comments you leave. It makes him feel so loved and cared for. It also puts you on our minds too and we have your face in our mind when thanking the Lord for you ~ the faithful ones praying for us. We are so very blessed with such sweet friends and family. We love you so much.

Frank got up early and went to his MRI of the his head. (We don't have results back yet) He thought it would be a fast scan. They can do his hips in less than 5 minutes! 2 and 1/2 hours later, I'm getting worried. He said it was a bigger deal than he expected. They took lots of pictures and then added contrast dye. Not to worry, they said that was normal procedure because the head has so many little bones.

We saw Dr. Barlogie this afternoon. Chandler and Zach went with us. Everyone loved seeing them and made over them. I'm sure being 16 and 14 years old, they just loved that!

Dr. Barlogie came in the room deep in thought and concentration. There were long periods of silence while we just watched him sit there and think and write. He obviously has a plan.

It's another transplant but not with Melphalan, the traditional drug used to treat Myeloma for transplant. It's 6 different drugs. Some of which he's had. 2 are new. This is a new cocktail they've made up for patients that aren't responding to other treatments. Frank will be about the 16th person to receive this combination. The data isn't in yet about how well it's working. It hasn't been enough time, but the initial respones have been positive!! Yeah!! Our nurse said that it's tolerated well. Meaning... it shouldn't cause a lot uncomfortable side effects, which is good. And Frank has veins of steel anyway.... he has always taken his chemo well. He makes other patients jealous when he skips into the clinic while they shuffle in from weakness. God has been good and we feel blessed that Frank is very strong in that regard.

The treatment is called MED PAC. You know how it works by now... each letter is a drug. The M and the A are the new ones. I think it's called Mesna and the other one is a leukemia drug. Frank's single port line won't work this time because the drugs aren't compatible with each other, so he'll have to have a central line put in tomorrow. The last time he needed one of those was April 2003 for his collection.

He'll get stem cell support on Monday. That will leave him 2 bags left. Dr. B is talking about trying to collect again after this treatment. The central line will already be in and it'll be a good time to try. That makes us feel really good.

God timing is always so good. Chase is on a church trip, and Chandler and Zach are here with us. The time here with them had been good. We've laughed so hard our sides hurt, but 10 minutes later one of us is teary eyed. We've had some really honest conversations too. They don't last too long. It's been emotionally hard, but it's been good for us. We've had conversations I don't think the kids would have had in front of their little brother. I miss him, but I can tell that they are glad to be here with some more "grown up" time with us.

Chandler is enjoying having some freedom ~ and her car. She is reading in Barnes and Noble by herself tonight. In the car earlier she said, "i know what I'll do... I'll just go up there and read so I don't have to buy the book"... She was proud of herself for thinking of a new concept! Don't tell her...... but didn't someone already invent the library??

We'll update often so you know how to be praying. Right now, our prayer request are:

1. no insurance issues

2. central line placement tomorrow (they are working him in a full schedule)

3. tolerance with the chemo

4. Healing!!! For the meds to kill each and every ugly cell now and forever

5. save travel for Chase as he comes home Friday, and for Chandler and Zach as they go home.

Psalm 36:5 Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.