Dan’s Victory

Dec. 21, 2009 - Monday

LATEST NEWS!

Had my doctor appointment today and got a good number of results to share.
The platelets are doing real good.
I am anemic again so this week (Thursday) I will be having another red blood transfusion. That’s the one that takes about 5 hours, but I have always felt better after having the transfusion!
The multiple myeloma is not growing, but again, as last month, the myeloma count is not going down either. As a result my doctor is doubling the amount of Revlimid I take. This is the chemo that last year I  had done through infusion. It is the one that caused the skin problems - itching, rash, skin burn and peel, and leg skin turning purple from the chemical burning, so we had stopped it.  As I had started this after returning from SCCA I had taken one tablet every other day, then it was changed to every day last month when the multiple myeloma was not being reduced. So we are trying to increase the amount without causing the rash. That means I will be taking 2 tablets every day. Be praying, please!
I am being tapered off the tacrolimus which will end Jan. 11. That also means I will be able to quit that and another (dapsone) — so two less pills to be taking.
Also this week I will be getting my monthly zometa infusion, which is the one that helps build my bones.

Have not heard yet about SCCA and Aetna. I contacted SCCA and they told me that Aetna will not make a decision until Jan. 1; so SCCA doesn’t even know at this point for sure. They are still trying to negotiate, but part of the problem is that Aetna wants to reduce the amount the doctors are paid - yet, from the 2010 information Aetna has sent me for coverage etc. it is going to be costing me more. But, praise the Lord, God is the one who is finally in control!!!

Am looking forward to Christmas and the day after as we will have a lot of family here to enjoy each other and all God has done this past year.

May God give you a wonderful Christmas. How can we not rejoice knowing that Jesus came and dealt with our sin problem and loss of relationship with God and restored all of it, if we will make the decision to give our lives to Him and receive from Him1

Have a merry, blessed Christmas!

DAN

A Prayer
HE GIVETH MORE GRACE WHEN THE BURDENS GROW GREATER.
HE SENDETH MORE STRENGTH WHEN THE LABORS INCREASE.
TO ADDED AFFLICTION HE ADDETH HIS MERCY.
TO MULTIPLIED TRIALS HIS MULTIPLIED PEACE.
WHEN WE HAVE EXHAUSTED OUR STORE OF ENDURANCE AND OUR STRENGTH HAS FAILED ‘ERE DAY IS HALF DONE;
WHEN WE REACH THE END OF OUR HOARDED RESOURCES
FATHER’S FULL GIVING IS ONLY BEGUN.
HIS LOVE HAS NO LIMIT.
HIS GRACE HAS NO MEASURE.
HIS POWER NO BOUNDARY KNOWN UNTO ME.
FOR OUT OF HIS INFINITE RICHES IN JESUS HE GIVETH,
AND GIVETH, AND GIVETH AGAIN
Annie Johnson Flint

Well, it is about time I update my progress!

It has been actually very good - some things a little up or down depending on what medications/chemo I am taking at any given time — but really everything is going pretty well. Some days I took a nap and some days I didn’t and didn’t need to and then there were the days I just kept going and should have taken a nap. My strength depends on the drugs still - there is usually a let down the next couple days after I take the chemo/steroid dexamethasone, so I don’t get as much of a workout at the fitness center. I go there 2 or 3 times a week. I am having a hard time getting going on walking - whether outside or on our treadmill. I never have much liked running-jogging-walking just to walk or jog or run!

I was able to get up all our Christmas lights and tree inside and out. It usually takes me 2 days to put up the outside lights; this time it took me about 8 days and I didn’t care - I knew I just had to take my time. Even got the lights on the roof up!

I am pretty much over a sinus infection - which lasted over two weeks - almost three.

Am only seeing the doctor once a month now, but I have gotten no word on the myeloma counts - I will see him on Monday so will find out then.

So pray about Aetna covering my continued treatment when and if I have to go to Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. The insurance and SCCA are having disputes about costs etc. and at present, unless things change before Jan. 1 Aetna will not pay for any doctor visits there. Or they may grant me an exception, which I have applied for, but not heard from Aetna. That is a pretty big deal because I can’t afford the cost of another stem cell transplant from my brother, Dick, if they continue to want to do that once the myeloma count is down far enough.

Am excited about Christmas - of course, first of all to celebrate Jesus birth and all He has done for those who will accept Him as Lord and Savior. Also a lot of family will be here. On Christmas Day, Michael, Dawn, Danica and Hannah will be here. We will have a special day the day after Christmas as Ryan, Kristen, Dylan, Eli, and Aubry will be here and also Randy and Beth, Dick and Gail, Dave, Phyllis and hopefully also their daughters and children. My sister from California and our son and wife from Taiwan will not be able to be here.

Have a super Christmas!

Thank you for your continued prayers!

DAN

Things to be thankful for……

I AM THANKFUL:  FOR THE WIFE
WHO SAYS IT’S HOT DOGS TONIGHT,
BECAUSE SHE IS HOME WITH ME,
AND NOT OUT WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

FOR THE HUSBAND
WHO IS ON THE SOFA
BEING A COUCH POTATO,
BECAUSE HE IS HOME WITH ME
AND NOT OUT AT THE BARS.

FOR THE TEENAGER
WHO IS COMPLAINING ABOUT DOING DISHES
BECAUSE IT MEANS SHE IS AT HOME,
NOT ON THE STREETS.

FOR THE TAXES I PAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM EMPLOYED .

FOR THE MESS TO CLEAN AFTER A PARTY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE
BEEN SURROUNDED BY FRIENDS.

FOR THE CLOTHES THAT FIT A LITTLE TOO SNUG
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I HAVE ENOUGH TO EAT.

FOR MY SHADOW THAT WATCHES ME WORK
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM OUT IN THE SUNSHINE

FOR A LAWN THAT NEEDS MOWING, WINDOWS THAT NEED CLEANING, AND GUTTERS THAT NEED FIXING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE A HOME .

FOR ALL THE COMPLAINING
I HEAR ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT
BECAUSE IT MEANS WE HAVE FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

FOR THE PARKING SPOT I FIND AT THE FAR END OF THE PARKING LOT
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM CAPABLE OF WALKING AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH TRANSPORTATION .

FOR MY HUGE HEATING BILL
BECAUSE IT MEANS
I AM WARM.

FOR THE LADY BEHIND ME IN CHURCH
WHO SINGS OFF KEY BECAUSE IT MEANS
I CAN HEAR.

FOR THE PILE OF LAUNDRY AND IRONING
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE CLOTHES TO WEAR.

FOR WEARINESS AND ACHING MUSCLES AT THE END OF THE DAY
BECAUSE IT MEANS I HAVE BEEN
CAPABLE OF WORKING HARD.

FOR THE ALARM THAT GOES OFF
IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS
BECAUSE IT MEANS I AM ALIVE.

AND FINALLY, FOR TOO MANY E-MAILS
BECAUSE   IT MEANS I HAVE FRIENDS WHO ARE THINKING OF ME.

SEND THIS TO SOMEONE YOU CARE ABOUT. I JUST DID.

Live well, Laugh often, & Love with all of your heart! Always remember Jesus loves you more than you can ever understand! Have you given your life to Him? He wants to lead and guide and bless you!