Hi everybody,
Well, Frank is pleased, and very relieved that the 6 rounds of chemo are OVER!!
Yeah!! And even more than that, God blessed him with no complications.
We are indeed thankful.

We will return to Little Rock on May 14th for testing. Dr. Barlogie has requested a fine needle biopsy of his shoulder lesion. That hasn't been done since Oct 05 when they found the "nasty" stuff, as Dr B called it. The other tests are the normal routine.... MRI, bone marrow biopsy, blood work, and PET scan.

Everything else is normal! Praise the Lord for normal! Soccer, tennis, guitar, piano, baseball, youth group and more.... and Chandler drives us everywhere we need to go!! She's a pro already ~ except that we haven't done the Interstate yet.... no hurry.

Love to you all, Peg

Hope everyone had a very blessed Easter holiday!

Happy Birthday to our dear Chandler!!! She's 15 today.... and going to take her driving permit test tomorrow. Yeah.

Frank started the 6th ~ and last ~ VTD treatment today. His platelets were above 100.

Chandler and I took lunch up to him yesterday and sat with him for a little while. It was a neat day, because we ran into people we knew... it was their first time there... they were nervous. I showed them around and took them back to see Frank in the chemo room. Frank talked with them more after we left and prayed with them. Visits like that remind us how blessed we are.

God was so sweet to give us the opportunity to meet a need for them and once again remind us that He will use this whole process for His glory. It wasn't "just another chemo treatment" ~ it was a divine appointment.

We return to Little Rock in May for a full work up. We feel good about where Frank is and how he's doing. We are looking forward to great results.

Thank you for continuing to pray for us. God is so faithful! Peg

Over the past days several people have asked me why there have been so few updates. I must apologize for "holding back".

When things are going well, (which they are) there isn't a lot to say without repeating myself. You know - like today ...I woke up, brushed my teeth, ate a sausage egg & cheese McGriddle, and went to work in Nashville and did stuff like that.....boring.

I have been taking some rounds of Chemotherapy though, which can have some interesting side effects. It isn't about being sick, but I do get to feeling wierd sometimes....
Frank....:o)

Well, praise God for good news !

As Peg mentioned in the previous post, we anticipated getting good news and that's what we got. There were no Myeloma proteins found, no new lesions, and the lesions where the cancer had attacked the bone in the past were stable.

Dr Barlogie and his assistant Aimee were all smiles and said we would continue with the consolidation Chemo treatments as planned.

The only down side to the day was that I picked up the "bug" that Chandler has been fighting and I felt bad the whole day. I'll be over it soon enough.

Thank you all for your prayers....God is still saying yes!
Frank

Frank and I went to Little Rock yesterday for testing.

Things went very well. No PET scan this time, so it saved us some time too.

The bone marrow biopsy went well. Frank's meds kicked in and the procedure wasn't as painful. (At least that's what he said... it looks painful to me) They also made him sleep the whole way home... and the whole rest of the day.. and night!!

We return to Little Rock tomorrow to see the doctor and get the results. We feel really good about things and don't expect anything but a good clean report.

That would be a great Valentine Day present wouldn't it?

We'll be in touch to share what we know soon. Thank you for your continued prayers. May God richly bless each one of you.

Chandler's been home sick this week. Please pray for her quick recovery and that Frank (or the rest of us) won't get it.

Love, Peggy

Well, the news said this was suppose to be the most depressing day of the year.... That was our local newspaper. Today, my bible said "This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it".

And rejoice we did. Frank got word that his lab reports (that he mails in to Little Rock) showed no trace of Myeloma in his blood.
That means the treatments are keeping him in remission. Everythings good!

We go to Little Rock for a full work up in Feb, but it's nice that we can go over there with such confidence in the results beforehand.

Frank finished the 4th and last treatment in the 3rd cycle of his VTD (Velcade, Thalidimide and Decadron for the medical minded). He's tolerated everything very well. His platelets started at 126, and are now 58.

But as long as he's not needing a transfusion, we won't complain.
Thank you for your continued prayers! They're working... Peg

My, my, my...how time flies when...well..things are going really well!

Sorry for the delay in posting information, and to be frank, Peggy as been holding back on making updates. She has been asking me to post some entries and I've been procrastinating.

When I got on here tonight it was confirmed; our last update was Dec 2006. I couldn't believe that it had been so long. Man that was all the way back in last year!

So here is the latest and greatest - I am happy to report that I am 1 treatment away from having completed my 3rd cycle of Velcade. (each cycle is 4 treatments)

Surprisingly I have had few side effects with these treatments - my energy level is really good, my blood values have stayed within reasonable limits, and mostly I haven't gotten sick from some nasty virus or bacteria.

In fact, I have started walking/jogging of late. I haven't consistently done that in years. Peggy and I think that with the last transplant they must of given me some "special reserve" stem cells that they had been holding out on me. Maybe these things get better with age, who knows, but I do feel extremely blessed no matter what happened.

I return to Little Rock in Feb. to go through an evaluation and then see Dr Barlogie. I plan on asking Dr B. if he snuck something in the transplant cells that he didn't tell me about. I'll let everyone know what CSI Frank-in-Little Rock turns up. Of course with my schedule I probably won't post the answer to the "special cells" question until March or April 08.

For me, 2007 has started out as a great challenge.

As long as I am feeling good I am going to make the best of things.

It also still astounds me at how many of people are still faithful in keeping us lifted up in prayer. I run into to you (people) almost every day and you tell me that you are still asking God for His mercy and blessings on our family.

Just so there is no doubt – God has answered and He as said yes, Frank can stay awhile longer!
And the beautiful thing about His answer to your prayers is the fact that I have such a renewed sense of purpose. I plan on making the most of His gift.

I was able to take the boys hunting with my family after Christmas. Our nephew Read shot a deer, and as long as we had the 4 wheeler......a good time was had by all!!

Blessings to you too - more later - Frank

Hi everyone,

Today completed the last treatment of the 1st of 6 rounds of chemo. Boy, that sounded confusing! He gets 10 days off now.

He's doing great. His platelets only dropped 6 points. They're 120. His other lab values were good. He feels good... working... normal!!!

We have been saddened to hear of another Myeloma patient from Memphis that passed away in Oct while in Little Rock. We didn't know this man, but another patient that knows us both was checking in with us on the phone the other day. She called us to see how Frank was doing. This man had relapsed in Aug, and was having a 3rd transplant at the same time Frank was in Sept. I don't know how we missed each other in that small unit ~ it's like family up there. We were there at the same time.

Even though we didn't know him personally, it is amazing how affected you are to hear such news. It's like watching a wreck in your rear view mirror and knowing that could have been you just as easily. We don't understand the sovereignty of God and it's overwhelming to think about how God has a plan for each one of our lives. When it comes right down to it, we are nothing but grateful for each answered prayer we've had, and each blessing that has been given to our family regarding Frank's health.

We are thankful to God for his 2nd remission and will give Him all the glory for it.

"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever, Amen." Eph 3: 20-21

It is well, ...it is well, .....it is well with my soul!

And, according to Dr. Barlogie it is also well with my bone marrow. The latest round of tests provided us with a good clean report. Praise God!

According to the fine Dr's in Little Rock I am in remission. In fact the places on my bones where the cancer had attacked are healing up.

The next step in this on-going battle will be what is known as consolidation chemotherapy. This means I will cycle through another 6 rounds of chemo - 2 weeks on - 10 days off.
This process will take from now until about May 2007 to complete.

The really good news about this treatment is that they (Univ. of Arkansas MIRT) have clinical results that show that this treatment regimen really does keep High Risk patients in remission.
If you weren't aware I am a High Risk patient.

That's about it. Keep lifting me and the family up.
God has seen fit to keep me here for a while longer. Pray that I spend myself wisely in His service.

Frank

Well, we are in Little Rock. He's almost done with everything and we can get on the road to Memphis. Things have gone well.

The bone marrow was one of his best ever ~ said he hardly felt anything. He gave the tech a big hug. Now he's locked in the big radioactive room and I can't go in there...so I decided to come check my email.

Halloween was fun. I'll put a picture up next time. I keep forgetting to hook up the camera. Frank was a conehead (like from Saturday Night Live). He wasn't as excited about his costume this year, so the mood seemed low key. Plus it was cold and rainy.
He missed the festival at church because of a fever, and he was bummed about it. That's when we have our fun.

But on Tues, little bitty ghost and goblins came just the same. I don't know about your neighborhood, but it was the year of the witch at our house. Not as many princesses as I normally see on little girls.

The break has been wonderful. Frank made the comment that it seems longer than 5 weeks. We are praying for great results. We don't really know what the doctor has in mind as far as future treatments. He's ready for a break. So, please pray that God will go before and prepare Frank's heart for what he has to say on Monday.

Pray that he would have wisdom and clear direction on what to do next.

We love you all and feel so very blessed!! All covered up in His grace, Peg

Hi everyone,

I know it's been a while...but that's always good news! Things have been so wonderful since we wrote last. Frank is a walking miracle ~ and it's amazing to see him doing so well.

He's only doing labs every 2 weeks now, so he didn't go to West this past Monday.

However... he started running fever last night. After trying to go to work today, he decided to come home and go to bed. His fever's been as high as 102 tonight. He's on an antibiotic, but the clinic is closed over the weekend. We'll pray things get better before Monday.

Everything else is good. Chandler is about to leave on a band trip to Orlando next week and Zach is going to Nashville for a tournament the same weekend. And it's the same Friday/Monday that'll we'll be in Little Rock for his checkup.

We are praying that Frank gets better quickly. That this is just a small virus that will run it's course and not turn into anything else more complicated. And that no one else will get it so we don't pass it around.

Thank you for your prayers for our family and for our Frank.

In Him, Peggy

Happy Tuesday!

Things are busy but good around our house... I'm happy to report that our house is probably just like yours right now. We love that...getting back to normal!

It's fall break for Chase, but not the others. He's been with his friends for the past few days hanging out. Zach's routine is the same... school and soccer. And Chandler's been sick since Sat. She was running fever and had some other stuff going on. She's going back to school tomorrow ~ we hope.

Even Casey (our dog) has a house guest... her buddy is here for the week. They're having fun.

Frank has managed to escape getting whatever she has. That's an answer to prayer. He had labs drawn Monday and they were almost exactly what they were last week. That's not bad ~ about status quo for him. We'd like to see his red count come up. That would give him more stamina. But he's really doing good.

Our church, Hope Presbyterian is having the Men's BBQ cookoff this Friday, and he's been planning and getting ready for that ever since he came home. It'll a big time for he and his friends. They always have fun.

Everyone have a safe and good fall break with your kiddos... Thank you for keeping in touch with us. And for praying for us. And for rejoicing with us over what God has done! "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again, I say rejoice." Phil 4:4

Happy Friday loved ones.

Frank saw Dr. Johnson here in Memphis yesterday for a check up. He's doing good.

Platelets are 138! That is higher than they were going into the transplant. Wonderful!
He's still fighting some upper respitory stuff, but no fever.

He's looking for ideas for what to be for halloween. Any suggestions are welcome!!
Have a great weekend.
We love you all.
Peg

Happy Monday!

Frank got his labs back from our local clinc today. Everything looks good.

Platelets are already 102!! Huge Praise.
White count 3.2 and everything else looks good.
No fever since we left Little Rock.

His recovery is truely a miracle ~ just a miracle. God is so good.

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.
AMEN AND AMEN

We're home.......... again!
We're planning on staying away from Little Rock until Nov. We actually turned in the keys to the apt and officially left.

Frank went to the hospital yesterday morning having been fever free since Wed. afternoon. His blood pressure/heart heart were about the same, so they gave him some more fluid. Cat scan results were normal. Labs looked good. They decided to do a "just to be safe" MRI of his shoulder. He'd been having some pain that mimicked the shoulder pain he had when he relapsed. Praise God that it was negative. No myeloma was seen.

So, we gladly headed home. Frank will do lab work twice a week in Memphis, go back to work and move forward!

For I know the plans I have for you, delcares the Lord. Plans to give you HOPE and a FUTURE. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11,13

Good evening. Another full day at the hospital, and still no answers.

On paper, Frank looks great.
White count is 2.5. That's low for you and me, but not for him.
Platelets are 78. Still increasing.
Hematocrit is still 10 but that's expected too.
The infection indicatior called the CRP is below 0.5. All good.

But he still has fever. Blood pressure was 88/60 and heart rate was 155. Could be better.
The nurse said she thought she heard some crackles in his lungs. And they did a cat scan today of his head and chest.

If nothing shows up tomorrow, we'll probably coming home. (As I type this, he just took his temp... NO FEVER)

The guest book is full. Someone does that for us, so we'll try to fix it soon. When you read the updates, another way to sign is to click on "comments" at the bottom of the update. I don't think there is a limit there. Thanks for keeping up with us. We love it, we read them to each other depending on who's at the computer.

Phil 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God

OK - Time for an Update!

It's noon and we are sure there are some curious voyuers out there.
Here's the skinny.......no one knows whats wrong with me.

The labs came back good, infection detector - CRP - was <.05 - which is very low. These tests tell the Dr's that there is nothing obvious to zero in on.

I have been sitting at UAMS taking IV antibiotics all morning and after we do this thing called a nasal wash, I can go back to the apartment. I'm told nasal washing is really fun. I'll let you know!

Instead of praying that they will find out what is wrong with me, let's just start praying that the mystery infection will mysteriously go away.

We love you guys and will be home soon......
Frank & Peggy

Good evening.
Today has been a roller coaster of emotions. Without a lot of narrative ~ here are the facts.... oh beloved prayer warriers.

Frank's running fever that keeps going up. It's 8 pm now and it's 102.3. We've been at West Clinic all day. They wanted to admit him to Baptist East, but we made the decisions to return to Little Rock after talking with them.

The emotions of all this have us gripped right now. You can only imagine. We were home. Glorious weekend at church. Fever, and in the midst of it all, a dear family friend passed away today.... of Multiple Myeloma. We won't even be able to attend Barabara's funeral.

Our hearts are saddended. We are anxious about tomorrow... you know...
But we are assured of so much. God is in control. He has us in His hands and we are confident as we leave our family once again, that we are still making the right choice.

I'm thankful for the verse in Romans that tells us that the Spirit knows how to pray for us when our hearts are too burdened.
Pray for Frank, for our family friends, and thank you for your faithfulness.
We love you. Peggy and Frank

WE ARE HOME!!

We saw Dr. Barlogie Friday afternoon. He was very pleased with how things went. Platelets were 37, so labs will be drawn in Memphis until they are over 100.

We return to Little Rock in November for a full work up.
The recovery process is still in motion but everything looks great.

We get the IMF (International Myeloma Foundation) newsletter emailed to us. There was this article on it featuring UAMS. It's about a study that brings hope for treatments that are more individualized based on genetic groups (blah blah blah), but it states that they are largest Myeloma center in the world. Isn't that amazing? We are so blessed that we can drive over in a couple of hours, not have to fly, be able to see the kids with ease, and so many other things yet still be so confident that the best care in the world for his type of cancer is so close.

We're laying low this weekend. Driving kids to homecoming, dances, parties and playing Monopoly. We won't update on a daily basis anymore, probably weekly.

This website is a blessing for us, and we hope it has been for you too. Some people sign the guestbook... and we love that... and others tell us they check it but don't ever sign... so we only assume that others check it and we don't know about it....

But if you are reading this... you have been prayed for by us. We thank God that you have been faithful to pray for us, care about us, love us and walk this jouney with us.

Part of what gets us by is knowing we aren't alone. It means so much. We are praying blessings on YOUR family!!

Only by HIS grace, Frank, Peggy, Chandler, Zach and Chase, and our WHOLE family!!!

Well everyone here it is....we've been cleared for release!

Praise God Almighty and the saints in His care.

The labs came back great today, my body is working like mad to push out fresh cells, and I have an appoinment on Friday to see the Dr.

The photo is of (most) my care team. They watched over me and helped steer me through this process. These ladies are the best and I can't even begin to tell you how much I appreciate thier service.

It is hard to believe this is winding down but again, we are so excited!
Love Frank & Peggy