Good News!

We haven't given any updates until today as we have been waiting to meet with the BMT Clinic oncology doctor so that we could get the results of Jeff's bone marrow biopsy, which was done on January 11th.

We had a great visit with Dr. Finn Peterson today.  He told us that Jeff had an excellent response to the bone marrow transplant and that there is no evidence of disease.  We had met with the BMT Clinic coordinator last Friday and she had really prepared us for the possibility that Jeff would be entering the hospital in the next week or so to undergo another transplant.  But today Dr. Peterson told us that because of Jeff's excellent response, no second transplant would be necessary and we will now return to our oncologist, Dr. Nibley, and be watched by him.  Jeff will be on an oral low dose chemotherapy treatment to keep the cancer down and out.  The nature of multiple myeloma is that it will eventually return but we're hoping for a long-term remission from the disease.

We are so very grateful for this wonderful news.  We are grateful to our Heavenly Father for his blessings to us and our family and we are grateful to the outstanding medical staff who have given us such excellent care.  Thank you also to all our family and friends who have prayed, supported and helped us through this challenge.  Thank you!  Thank you!

Jeff continues to get stronger every day and to recover from the effects of the transplant. He has even sprouted some tiny, wispy white hairs from his shiny head, with more to come soon (we hope). We are now excited to make plans to enjoy life and to serve. We had made no plans except to be in the hospital and then recovering for the next three months. So our calendar is completely blank, just waiting for us to fill it.

We'll get back to you as soon as we've seen our oncologist.

Visit to BMT Clinic

Jeff and I visited the BMT Clinic on Thursday, January 5th, 2012.  The results were very good.  All of Jeff's blood levels are in the normal range now.  The doctors were pleased with the progress Jeff has made over the last few weeks.  Even though Jeff's blood is at normal levels, it will take a year for his bone marrow to heal completely.

This week has been a quiet one.  Jeff has kept himself busy with daily morning exercise and various projects he wants to complete - some outside and some in the garage.  He still needs to take short naps/rests throughout the day.  We are so grateful for his progress.

Our next BMT Clinic appointment will be on Wednesday, January 11th -- that's the day that a bone marrow aspirate will be taken and the doctors will know just how effective the bone marrow transplant has been against the level of cancer.  We are hoping for the best result possible.

Happy New Year Everyone!  We had a wonderful Christmas.  We were with all our available children.  David & Cicely, Miles and Faye celebrated in Shaker Heights.  We Skyped with them Sunday afternoon.  Jeff attended Sacrament Meeting Christmas Day, along with Emily, Brandon, Aly, Davie, Annie and myself (Laraine).  It was a lovely day where we were able to focus more fully on our Savior's birth and life.

The central line came out on Friday, December 23rd.  No problems or complications.

December 28th we had the privilege of going to lunch with three of Jeff's Springville High School classmates (Lee Taylor, Peggy Roundy and  Gordon Wilson).  We had a fun visit and lunch at Mimi's.

Jeff's cousin, Steve Hardy and his wife, Carol, also paid a visit on Friday, December 30th.  We enjoyed lunch and a visit at Linda and Jack's.  Grandma Cain, Colleen, Steve and Elaine were also with us.

The doctors gave us a week off between Christmas and New Year and there have been no problems.  Nausea seems to be more controlled -- just need to gain strength.  We will go to the BMT Clinic again on January 5th.