Monday, September 29, 2008

Switching gears....

We're home! Amazing.... exciting....fabulous.... we could go on and on about the trip.

Frank will post his favorite pictures and we will share more later, but for now, we are trying to shift gears quickly and ignore the jet lag. We were welcomed at the airport around 10:30 with mom and all 6 kids. It was wonderful to just hear their voices and be able to hug everyone. We got to bed around 1am after trying to stay awake all night on the plane. (some of us did better than others).

Frank has to be in Little Rock by noon today. We already have a new apt waiting on us. MRI, PET, MUGA, ECHO, Pulmonary function, labs.... we will hit the ground running.

We are ready to fight hard and kill some Myeloma this month! Love to all... peg

Friday, September 19, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACH!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Bon voyage!

Well, as I type, we are sitting the lounge of the Delta Crown room with Lisa and Jim. We have a layover in Atlanta before we board for Barcelona. Even if the trip were over now, we've had a good time! I am easy to please, huh?

We are very excited about the next 10 days. It'll be an experience of a lifetime. Frank is feeling pretty good. Everyone reading this knows Frank won't complain. I see him wince from time to time and I know he's a little uncomfortable. Please pray for relief from his pain and that the meds he is on will work to be killing the myeloma every minute of the day! He's on some high dose Thalidomide and Dex while we are gone. I am praying for minimal side effects from these as well.

We get home Sept 28th, and have to be in Little Rock by 1 pm on Monday the 29th. He has tests already lined up: PET, MRI, EKG, Echo, labs, etc. After all the preliminary testing, we'll see Dr. Barlogie on Tuesday and hopefully start chemo that afternoon or Wed morning.

We've got the apt booked and the kids are looking forward to having one extra room this time. Nobody on the floor! It will be good to be together for this next round of treatment. This is the reason we chose to home school this year, and now that "the time has come", I am more peaceful about the decision than ever before. It's has it's drawbacks, and we'd rather them be in school under any other circumstance, but this is best for now. ECS has homecoming tomorrow, and they are looking forward to the game.

Jer 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans for a hope and a future.

We covet your prayers as the Lord leads you for the trip, the treatment and the trust!!

We love you.... peg and family

Friday, September 12, 2008

Hello Family.......I guess I'll just get straight to the point; today's update is a confirmation of the fact that my cancer has returned.

This development is something that we (the Memphis Crew) really kinda knew was coming. We had been hopeful, and praying, that there could be some other reason for all the discomfort and downright pain that I have been experiencing, but it has now been confirmed.

When I left Little Rock 5 weeks ago, I had gone from 10 lesions down to 4, and those 4 had all reduced in size. Everything was looking good. Since then I have been taking some "light" chemo in Memphis and doing all the regular stuff; work, family, church, and some occasional skydiving. (Well, OK I've just been dreaming about the skydiving)

About two weeks ago I started having occasional pains in my ribs. These occasional pains slowly migrated to other areas of my body, mainly in my chest and along my spine. They also became sharp stabbing pains and at times I have had to leave work and take medication to cope. As I said, I knew something wasn't right.

After returning to UAMS for MRI's, PET scan, and other tests on Wednesday, Peggy and I returned to see Dr Barlogie today for the results. I now have 35 active lesions.

We have a game plan and will be returning to UAMS to start treatment on Sept 29th. Lisa and Jim had been planning on taking us with them on a cruise to Europe, and have been worried we wouldn't be able to go. One of the bright spots in the day was that Dr. B encouraged us to go. He wanted to be in Little Rock to oversee my next treatment and he was going to be in Russia next week. So, he was happy for us both to enjoy our trips and get busy fighting at the end of Sept. He is putting me on oral Thalidimide ~ 400mg ~ and Dex during the trip to begin the fight and try to help me with pain.

While this is certainly disappointing news, we have learned that everything can be turned into a blessing. So, that's part of the new plan, to start looking for ways to be a blessing even in the midst of tough times.

"My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1: 2-4

We will start posting more often, especially in a couple weeks when treatments begin. Until then know that we appreciate all the prayers and hugs that have come our way.

May God continue to bless,

Frank

'Having cancer is a lot like a plane flying through a storm.
Once you're aboard, tightening the seat belt and praying is all you can do!'

Thursday, September 11, 2008

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FRANK!!

Today is special day indeed! Frank is 44 today!! We ate out for dinner and had a nice time and surprised Frank with some new kitchen gadgets.

Yesterday, Chandler, Frank and I went to Little Rock for a full day. We left Memphis around 7 and got there in time for Frank to have a business meeting. Chandler did her school work while we waited. I got my hair done while Frank and Chandler ran some errands. Then Frank had his PET scan, and then his MRI before we got on the road. We made it back home around 11. Having Chandler with us was a nice treat and we had fun together. We laughed about the news all day and talked politics. You know..... lipstick on a pig.... Biden's asking a wheelchair bound man to stand up..... oh... good day for talk radio.... we had a ball!!

But underneath it all we are anxiously waiting the news tomorrow from Dr. Barlogie. Are we scared? With the pain he's been having, the only truthful answer is that we're very nervous about his results. The nurse called today and said his CRP is up and he needs to start his antibiotic. (The CRP measures inflammation and usually accompanies infection. It's an indicator they watch closely. )

Our hearts are burdened tonight for our other patient friends. He's been on the same round of PAC MED as Frank. We talked to his wife today and he's been admitted into the hospital with some serious complications. He is a year or 2 younger than Frank and his kids are only 4 and 6 years old. Our hearts are heavy for the burden they are carrying. As hard as we try to be upbeat and positive, Frank and I both admitted to each other that it was hard not to compare our situations. But we are doing our best to stay positive and trust God with each day He has blessed us with. We are going to visit with them tomorrow. Please pray for them and for us: that God would enable us to minister to them in some way tomorrow.

"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Isaiah 41:10


Oh my goodness... we are counting on that promise and asking our precious Lord to increase our faith!


We are a month into home schooling. It is going great in most areas, challenging in others. But overall we are adjusting pretty good. Each of us are different, so what we gain, what we like and dislike are all different. Nothing replaces the wonderful school where they were, and all of us are looking forward to being back next year. Chandler and Zach try to have lunch there every few weeks. We've also enjoyed all the home games and visiting with friends.


The perks of not being in school are also being enjoyed. They don't have to be up at 6 anymore!! Chandler's best friend is also home schooled and she comes over to work with us once a week. We love her and the addition is fun. My niece tutors and grades their spanish. It's so much fun to listen to them talk in spanish for a few hours. I would miss all that if they if were away at school. They are custom fitting their work to their own schedules, but I must say... I'm pretty strict. I knew I would be, so I have to really myself relax. I am mainly referring to when they do certain lessons: Getting everything done in one day vs saving something for evening, rolling over a lesson into the next day, etc. But overall they are proving themselves very responsible and eager to learn. I still see them trying hard to do a good job and that makes me so happy.


We will update tomorrow when we get home. Much love, peg

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Well it has been a few weeks since we dropped everyone a line so here's a Sunday afternoon update.

The past 4 weeks have been, different, that's a good word to use. Nothing earthshattering to report, it's just that our lives just seem to be "bouncing" around down life's highway.

Kind of like being on a trampoline. At times, bouncing can be a lot of fun. But sometimes, when you get to close to the edge, it gets unnerving.

I am happy to report that so far none of us have fallen off !

This week Peggy and I return to Little Rock to go through a new round of testing. As always I appreciate your prayers and we will let everyone know how it goes as soon as we know too.

I do have a specific prayer request. I have been having some pain in my chest for the past week or so. I pray that this is a "healing" pain and not a new something that has to be dealt with.

May God bless you this day!

Frank