Good response to chemo

12-18-08

Doug has had an excellent response to the oral chemo -- Revlimid and Dexamethasone. His pain is gone and his blood work looks good, kidney function is good. His cancer numbers are way down!

For those of you who want details: Doug's IgA was 2,296 at diagnosis; now is 156. His Lambda light chain was 3,510 at diagnosis; now is 38.9, still a little elevated but not too bad. He is feeling pretty good now.

We are so thankful for all the people who have been praying for Doug -- that is every bit as powerful as the medicine.

Dr. Miller wants Doug to consider the next step: high dose chemo and stem cell transplant. Doug is not sure he wants to do that; there are risks and side effects that sound daunting. But he is going to think about it. More on that later.

Here is a photo of Doug in Dr. Miller's office on one of our now routine monthly visits. He is getting the biophosphanate drug Zometa to strengthen the bones. It takes about 30 minutes to infuse via IV.