it's been a while..

It's been a while since I last blogged. School has been super busy. I've been having midterms since the second week of school. I will be graduating in less than 4 months! I am a bit conflicted, such that I am excited but scared at the same time. There are many times where I want to stay for a fifth year just to pull my grades up and study abroad, but there is something that is pulling me back. I feel like I need to get out there and take care of my parents. I want to be able to find a job and just provide for them instead of the other way around. It will make me feel so good to be able to help them financially, even if it's a 100 bucks a month. For all they've done and given up for me, this is the least I can do. If i stay in school for another year, I won't be able to do that and I will not be able to experience the joy of supporting them. BUT to be honest, as much as i love my parents, I am not looking forward to moving home! Just thinking of that drives me crazy! Is that bad?

As for my dad, not much has happened since I last wrote, which is a very good thing! I love consistency, I don't do well with change. He had a bmb 3 weeks ago and his result is 3-4% plasma cells. YAY!! His m-spike remains constant for now. The doctor is concerned that his bone marrow maybe full of plasma cells that was preventing his blood counts from recovering but thankfully that is not the case. His myeloma seems to be ok, but his platelets are still recovering. He continues to visit his NP every week to have his blood counts checked. He continues to get regular platelet transfusions and once in awhile rbc transfusions. My dad's hemoglobin has always been low so its not that concerning to me, but his platelets were never the problem before the transplant. The doctor is planning on treating his platelets and then start him on a maintenance therapy. My dad was on Rev/Dex for 8 months before his m-spike started to rise, so I don't know if they will use Rev/Dex again for Thailomid/Dex. We will focus on boosting up his platelets for now. I will have more information about the platelets treatment soon, so i will update that later. My dad's transplant coordinator says platelets are the last to come back and for some people it may take up to a year for them to recover. I really hope his platelets will recover very soon.

I am grateful for everything that has happened. My dad remains active, he takes walks almost everyday and goes grocery shopping. He also drives him and my mom to his NP appointments. My parents are getting pretty independent in terms of going to his appointments. When i can't take my dad to his "important" appointments with his doctor, my sister takes him, and I usually regulate over the phone. My dad also stopped taking his oxycodone (pain med) completely! He used to take it around the clock, but now he's off! I hope everything continues to go well.

On April 10-11 I will participate in my school's Relay for Life. This is my 3th time doing this, and the past 2 times has been more meaningful because of my dad and all the other myeloma patients I've met along the way. Last year, I was part of the survivor's committee but it was also the same date for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation's walk-a-ton (MMRF walk), so I did not sign up for the committee this year. I would take this chance to ask you to support me in the 24 hour relay to symbolize cancer never sleeps. The amount doesn't matter, its really the thought that counts. Please click to donate. Also, on April 24th, I will be walking/running in the 5k MMRF walk to raise money for myeloma research. This walk means so much to me, and it would mean a lot if you support me in this walk to raise money for research and to fight against myeloma. I don't have the link yet, but I will post it later when I get my team together. The MMRF race is really important to be because I feel like this is one of the ways I can help fight myeloma. I feel bad that the two events are so close together, I don't mean to bombard everyone with donations. :)

Lastly, I want to take this chance to wish Phil Brabb the best of luck with his upcoming transplant and birth of his new baby girl. I know it is a very stressful process but I know you and your family will be able to get through it. I've been following his blog for awhile now and he is a great inspiration to myeloma patients and caregivers. He is a great example of how patients and caregivers should face myeloma. Additionally, prayers to Sue and her family. I read that Sue is not feeling well, and I hope she will feel better and stronger.

Take care and keep warm!