Diagnosis & Update

As many of you know, much has happened in our family since the beginning of 2010. After having considerable back pain last fall and consulting with numerous orthopedic doctors, my Dad went for an MRI on January 4. From that diagnostic test, it was determined that my Dad had "abnormal cells" near his tailbone and underwent a needle biopsy (click here for that post) to find out specifically what they were. The abnormal cells were diagnosed as a plasmacytoma (click here for that post), a collection of rapidly dividing plasma cells that attacked his sacrum. For all of us who are not up on our anatomy, here is a picture of what a normal sacrum (the blue area) looks like:

By the time we discovered the mass in my Dad's sacrum, it had probably been there for at least a year. It was only when the intense back and leg pain began occuring that we realized this mass was present and it had already done considerable damage to his sacrum bone (with some doctors estimating the damage up to 50%). The sacrum is the "root hub" for the nerves of the lower half of your body. (There are 4 holes on either side of the sacrum where all the nerves for your legs run through.) It has also been described as the "cornerstone" for your spine and pelvis.

Dad went through several other medical tests (x-rays, urine tests, and blood screenings) at the end of January to determine if this sacral plasmacytoma was the only location of cancer in his body. (Since this is a blood cancer, it is very rare that it only occurs in one spot.) Following these tests, it was determined that there were also "lesions" on his skull, left femur, and humeri (upper arm bones), and he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma.

A sweet church member had recommended her oncologist to Mom and Dad before we ever found out it was cancer. And it was only through God's provision that we were paired up with him immediately! He is a nationally-renowned oncologist by the name of Dr. Alan Kritz. He specializes in blood cancers and we couldn't be more grateful that he is right here in Raleigh:

Dr. Kritz began treatment immediately. Dad underwent 12 radiation treatments over the course of 3 week time period to begin shrinking the tumor in his sacrum. In addition, he had a portacath put in and began chemotherapy (which will last a total of 4-6 months). Dr. Kritz's "chemo concoction" consists of 3 chemicals which have just recently made great advances in multiple myeloma treatment: Velcade, Thalidomide, and Decadron (steroid). He also gets Aredia (bone strengthener) once a month. Besides being tired and slightly nauseas, Dad has not had any serious adverse reactions to the radiation or chemo- Praise the Lord!

During the month of February, Dad was tired but felt great! The pain was lessening, his blood counts were looking good, and Dr. Kritz was thrilled with his progress. I am so thankful that Dad felt so good during the birth of Samuel and Samantha, and was able to come visit me at the hospital everyday.

On March 6, Dad took a misstep going to church. He felt a sharp pain and within an hour was unable to bear weight on his left leg. He began using crutches, but over the course of the next 2 1/2 weeks, Dad had more and more pain as he tried to sit or walk.

On March 29, we made the decision to transport Dad to Rex, where doctors could come to him and treat his pain. By this point, it was absolutely excruciating for him to sit or stand. He met with a neurosurgeon, a neurologist, and a doctor from the pain clinic. They tried putting in a "pain pump," which administered pain medicine directly to Dad's sacrum, but unfortunately, it did not provide any more relief than oral medications. In addition, they have done CT scans, more MRI's and x-rays of his sacrum. The tumor has shrunk (praise the Lord!), but as it decreases, it leaves a void in the sacral bone. Therefore his sacrum is "unstable" and the weight of his upper body is not supported when he tries to sit or stand, pinching the nerves to his legs and causing incredible pain.

It has now been 3 1/2 weeks, and my Dad is still in the hospital. When he is laying down, there is absolutely no pain. However, when he "bends" to sit, it is unbearable due to the pain. Dr. Kritz has started him on 2 more weeks of radiation and Dad is continuing with his chemo while in the hospital. Last week, we did receive some good news: the overall myeloma in his body is greatly decreased...up to 90% gone! (Dad's M-spike was a 2.4 in January, and now it is a 0!) Though this "mechanical problem" of pain in his sacrum is frustrating, we are so grateful that the overall cancer is really responding and is greatly diminished!

Please pray specifically for these things:

1. For Dr. Kritz' wisdom in treating my Dad.
2. That the radiation and chemo will fully eradicate the remainder of the tumor in his sacrum, any other "lesions" that he might still have on his bones, as well as the abnormal plasma cells in his blood.
3. That the pain in my Dad's back and legs will decrease so that he can sit and stand.
4. That my Dad will gain mobility and be able to come home.
5. That while he is in the hospital, he will not experience any sickness or complications from laying in bed.
6. That he will be a candidate for a bone marrow transplant (using his own marrow) at the end of his chemotherapy treatment. (Bone marrow transplants for multiple myeloma patients have proven to have the most long-term lasting effects.)
7. For strength and grace for my Mom, and the rest of our family, as we walk with my Dad through this journey.

On top of this medical trial, my Dad was terminated from his job just 2 days after finding out the results of the MRI. Our family has had to make some incredibly hard decisions since then, but have determined that it is best for my Mom and Dad to sell their home and move in with my Grandma. (I will miss having my Mom and Dad as my next door neighbors, but my Grandma only lives 5 minutes away and has a mortgage-free home with room for everyone!) Please pray for these financial requests as well:

1. That the company that terminated my Dad would offer him a severance/settlement package of some sort. (At this point, they have given my Dad nothing- no pay, no health insurance, etc. We are grateful for unemployment and Cobra though!)
2. That my Dad's application for disability will be approved.
3. That my Mom and Dad's house will sell quickly- We are hoping to have it ready to go on the market by mid-May.
4. For continued strength, peace, and comfort for my parents.
   

It is in these trials of life that you realize just how little the materialistic things matter. We are so grateful for our family, and this journey has further strengthened our bond and draw us closer together. And it is by faith that we cling to Christ, as He is more important to us than everything else.

I'll leave you with one final verse that has given us great encouragement: “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever.” (1 Peter 5:6-11)