A Break in the Clouds

     We've recently been able to make some improvements to chemo.    Because of the support groups we are in we heard about a faster infusion for Daratumumab .   Chris asked about it, to anyone who could possibly make it happen.   Dr Sborov was on board but hadn't been able to change the protocol.   We asked his nurses at both the main Huntsman and also at the infusion center in Daybreak.   No one sounded optimistic that it would happen anytime soon, I hoped that it would be possible by the end of the year.   So one day when we showed up in Daybreak for chemo we were surprised to have them say they were going to try a "rapid" version as a test.   After waiting for labs and the chemo to be made, the actual infusion took about 2 hours.    It took more asking and checking, but now we are on the 90 minute protocol at both locations.   Chemo day is still a long day, filled with lots of waiting, but being able to cut down the actual IV infusion from about 4 hours to just 1 1/2 is a very nice change.

      As well as the triumph of a shorter infusion, he's reached the part in his Daratumumab treatment that he now only has infusion every other week.   Recently, for the first time since the end of August 2017, we made it a whole week without having to go to the doctors office or the hospital.  Given that things before last August weren't smooth sailing either, it has been a strange feeling.   It's a good change, and we are very excited, but it's become such a regular part of our life that the absence of it is felt.   Wednesday as we prepared to head to chemo, it was a bit harder to come back.   With his Daratumumab infusion they also added another medication to help strengthen his bones.   Myeloma affects the bones and cause them to be very weak, but they avoided adding this medication until now because of damage to his kidney's.   His white blood cells and hemoglobin numbers were lower than normal, if they continue, they will likely add other medications to help them.

      With the stars aligned (or medications in this case), Chris had a off week from Daratumumab and his off week from his daily chemo.   We took advantage of it and I used a couple precious vacations days off of work to have a long weekend.   On Friday last week we drove up to Logan and Bear Lake.   Chris was still exhausted and slept part of the way, but it was good to have a break.   The weather was beautiful and the scenery was stunning.   Chris snagged this picture with his phone, and with the sun shining just right it naturally enhanced the color.  We couldn't make a trip to Bear Lake without trying a world famous raspberry shake, so before we drove back home for the evening I stopped and grabbed one to enjoy.   One of our favorite things about a car trip is listening to a book on CD.   I picked the book Mustaches for Maddie.   I was a bit worried about a book about a brain tumor hitting too close to home, but decided to take a chance.   It had both us laughing at times, but a few times I was in tears as they perfectly described some of the feelings and situations of a challenging medical condition.   We only got about half way through, and hope to plan another road trip to finish the story. 

     With the weekend off, we were also able to get some other things accomplished.   One thing that we have been contemplating for a couple years is the purchase of a new vehicle.   The uncertainty of what our future holds made the decision more stressful than normal and we've been searching for just the right one.   We finally found it, and made the purchase on Monday.   Meet Grace, a 2015 CR-V EX-L with just about 20,000 miles.   Higher up off the ground, it's much more comfortable and easier for Chris to get in and out of.  The dual climate control will make it so that he's a good temp and I'm not an ice cube.  The heated leather seats and AWD will be nice improvement in the winter.  Plus like our previous car, it has a sunroof, which his mom points out is great for star gazing.   Driving up to the main Huntsman for chemo, we were both happy to have finally made a decision and being able to enjoy the comfort and fun of a new vehicle.  Hopefully again in the future when the medications are aligned again, we can take another fun road trip, this time in Grace. 

     In my last blog, I mentioned the fire near our family cabin.    The winds blew and to date about 57,000 acres burned.   The fire fighters worked diligently.   For many it was devastating and they lost everything.   For our family, we had a miracle.  A perfectly timed storm made a difference in this fire.  The fire got to within about 1/2 mile of Pine Hollow (where the cabin is located) but they were able to hold it back.  I'm so glad that my recent visit wasn't my last.   This progression map to me is amazing to see how something started small and grew quickly wild and out of control.   But with the right resources is now getting close to being contained. 

     Many months ago, a few days before we found out about the myeloma, I wrote a blog called "Lionhearted".   Today I found this quote that fits Chris and his battle with cancer perfectly.   He has not cowered in fear or hidden from the difficult.   He has faced the challenge head on.   Every day he pushes through and is working as hard as he can to rise above.  His current treatment is working and his numbers "contained".   The winds have calmed and the torrential downpour slowed.   His "off weeks" appear to us as breaks in the clouds on the horizon.   While we hope and pray for a miracle that myeloma will become curable sometime in his lifetime, stormy weather for us is life.   You know that amazing smell and feel after a summer storm?  That is what his week off from treatment felt like to us.   As long as the winds don't shift, there's another one just on the horizon.