REMISSION #4

Yesterday was our visit with the Denver myeloma specialist. He says Doug is now in remission!
 Doug has to stay on the present drugs for another six weeks, then Dr. M will begin to taper Doug off one or two of the drugs. He will need to remain on the Pomalyst at a maintenance dose.

This is Doug's forth remission. We hope it will be a long one!

• Remission #1 was in 2009 after the initial Revlimid and stem cell transplant. At that time the data wasn't in on the benefits of maintenance therapy, so he was off all drugs until he relapsed in October 2011. This is when the myeloma morphed into Light Chain Disease. He went back on Revlimid/dex.
• Remission #2 was in January 2012. That held, on Revlimid maintenance, until he relapsed in July 2014. 
• Remission #3 was in November 2014, on CyBorD. Unfortunately, Doug had to stop Velcade in January 2015 due to peripheral neuropathy. Doug did well off treatment for several months until the cancer numbers started to rise.
• Remission #4 in February 2016, on Pomalyst, cytoxan, prednisone. (PCP)

Fortunately, there are at least three drugs for myeloma that Doug has not been on. So in the advent of another relapse, Dr. M will be able to put Doug on one of those. 

We had good travel weather yesterday, and no traffic problems in Denver. When we got home, we celebrated with take-out Chinese food. Yum.

God is good, we trust in Him and we have His Peace! 

I would like to share part of our devotional this morning,  "Jesus Calling" by Sarah Young: 

"You will not find lasting peace in the world around you, in circumstances, or in human relationships. The external world is always in flux -- under the curse of death and decay. But there is a gold mine of Peace deep within you, waiting to be tapped. Take time to delve into the riches of My residing Presence. I want you to live increasingly from your real Center, where My Love has an eternal grip on you. I am Christ in you, the hope of  Glory."