CyBorD

    Chris weighed all the options and decided to go ahead and risk the side effects of chemo without a  100% confirmed diagnosis.   It's still "presumed" multiple myeloma because the bone marrow biopsy is needed to finalize the diagnosis.  Starting the chemo before the bone marrow can also affect the results as it can start killing the bad cells and so be not quite as definitive.  However, his kidney's are still not doing well, and the longer we wait for the bone marrow biopsy, the greater the damage to the kidney's and the higher the potential that he will be on dialysis for life.  Because the kidneys are still struggling, he also did another round of dialysis, this one was 2 1/2 hours.  The drug regimen they are using has an acronym CyBorD.   He started the first chemo drug this evening (Bor), but started the steroid (D) on Friday.  They probably typically start them all at the same time, but the other drug will be added in later once it's official.

Cy - Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)

Bor - Bortezomib (Velcade)

D - Dexamethasone

     Because the doctors here rotate in and out, today was the last time that Dr Cho was his assigned nephrologist (Kidney Doctor).   The new doctor will be Dr Josephine Abraham.  Our first few interactions with Dr Cho were pretty tough as she was trying to convince Chris that he needed a kidney biopsy.   He had had enough of being in the hospital and just wanted to go home.  I'm pretty certain it was her who wanted to run the blood tests that caught the extra proteins in his samples and led to his current "presumed" diagnosis.  Yesterday he was tying to tell her he was sorry for being so difficult and pushing to go home.  She grasped his hand with her two hands and told him he had nothing to worry about and he had handled things better than she thinks she might have.   Then he stood up and gave her a big, tender hug.   

     Meet also another doctor who will be an important part of our life for quite some time.  This is Dr Douglas Sborov, he is the Hematologist (blood Dr) who is taking care of Chris.  (He said he didn't like the picture on the UofU website, so I made sure to find another one).   
     We only met him on Wednesday this week but have been comforted with his concern for both of us and all we've been through.   He takes all of our concerns seriously and has so much compassion for all we've been through.   We both feel like we are in good hands.  

     Last night was our first night at Huntsman and both of us got a great night's sleep.   The caregiver accommodations were a welcome change and I slept very well.   My brother also came and gave me a reprieve to the outside.   He came and picked me up (my car was being lame again today) and took me to his house for a shower, some laundry, some breakfast (for dinner) and most importantly cute baby snuggles.  It was an enjoyable evening.  Then he came with his tools to fix the battery cable that had simply come loose.  As we parted, he gave me a hug and whispered a few words, struggling to hold back tears as he told us he is praying for both of us.  

     Chris also had visitors while I was gone.   Reed and his friend came up from BYU and just as I was leaving his Uncle Adelbert and his wife surprised him with a visit.  Today being Sunday we also had the opportunity to participate in the sacrament in our room.  Thank-you everyone for all of your prayers, your encouragement and your love.