HoPpY EASTER!

Ralph is rebounding from the effects of a week long chemo treat! Last Sunday, he did receive a booster shot to help his white blood cells. He needed platelets 6 days after coming home. This is not a surprise. He is not to be in large crowds or in enclosed places such as restaurants, stores, etc. His immune system needs to build up again. Fortunately, the kids are coming over this afternoon for a "POT LUCK" Easter feast. We will be able to open doors and windows and will have enough room to limit his contact with our germs. Being that he is used to our germs, our presence is not as big of a risk. He has a bone marrow biopsy on the 16th...please pray that his Myeloma is undetectable so that he can have his stem cell transplant to get on the DAnCE floor for Michael's and Erin's wedding at the end of June.

Easter blessings to you and yours! Spring gives us hope and hope promotes our faith and both are in the name of love!

ONE WEEK LATER...

After one week of intense chemo therapy, Ralph is home. He received 4 bags of a concoction that we call PLAN B. 3 of the chemos, he had never received. Hopefully, the Myeloma cells were not pleased and his counts are significantly lower. The reason for hospitalization was the close monitoring that needed to be done. His kidneys and blood sugar were at risk. Insulin was needed, but his kidneys seemed to weather well. He is tired and weak and his taste buds are not behaving. He is to resume normal activity when he can. He is pretty tired and weak. Hopefully, this is the answer...time will tell! We hope to know in 2 weeks :)

Thankfully, I was able to work the entire time. Mallory and Megan took turns, bedside, as they live in Pittsburgh. Michael is working in Colorado, for a few weeks, so we counted on his constant prayer. Ralph's brother and our very good friend, Jim, brought him home so that the girls and I could enjoy a dinner and play with friends. Blessings galore!

Friends and family, your continued prayers are greatly appreciated. We have our down moments, but when I reflect, we have more moments smiling! God and our children are our strength and your prayers sustain that strength! Bless you!

not a set-back; another path

According to the doctor, this is NOT a set-back but another path. Ralph did not respond as had hoped for this month's stem cell transplant plan. The chemo concoction he had taken last time, apparently, was not as effective this time. It cut his numbers in half, but that is NOT enough. He will be in the hospital all next week getting another type of chemo potion, 24/7, for 5 days. The doctor thinks that his hair will fall out with this and he will be nauseous. When his numbers are as low as the doctors want them to be, he will get the transplant... Please pray for low numbers really quickly!

We are disappointed and sad and tired and feel beaten-up. WE ARE HOPEFUL AND NOT DEFEATED! We will bounce back and fight with the vengenge that we have had before...just give us time. Over Easter, we are taking a stay-cation, at home,to rest and refresh and refuel! Our plate is full and we need to find the strength to swallow!

Thank you for all of your support and prayers. In time, this ordeal will be behind us, and we will dAnCE and spread cheer!

SET BACK...

When Ralph's Myeloma level was considered aggressive, his bone marrow biopsy revealed his levels at 80%. After 4 rounds of chemo, his levels are between 5 and 8%. It is determined that the treatment was effective. Hillman wants him to do another round of chemo to get his level as low as possible, since he is responding well. However, he has pneumonia, so that treatment will need to wait. He is taking antibiotics and there is no reason to think that he will not recover. Keep praying, please...we have dances to do! Thank you for your caring and support!

Still hanging in there...

Ralph is nearly done with his chemo treatments! He is especially tired, pretty swollen from the steroids, and has the rosiest of cheeks. He still manages to dress, go to the office, and do a little bit of work every day! We do our best to push through each day behaving as normally as possible. We know our blessings and are extremely thankful! There is not a formal date for the transplant but are still anticipating March. Please continue to keep us in your prayers. Please continue to understand on those days when we do not have a stiff upper lip; when we do not look graceful and poised; when we are throwing poop! Thank you friends and family for your continued support of thoughts and prayers!

Blessed with ANOTHER Christmas!

WE had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends. All six kids graced our house for a total of 5 days! Friends and family celebrated, with us, on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Ralph was feeling well. Steroids help ones appetite...stress can do the same for others :( At any rate, thank you for your inquiries, cards, and well wishes. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Ralph started ROUND 3 yesterday!

One of those days...

Ralph's white cells and red cells have been misbehaving and he has not been able to receive his last treatment of the second round. Hopefully, the platelets he received and a little time off will allow him to receive it this week.

Ralph asked the doctor about the results of his bone marrow test, that he had in November, and he was a little upset to hear that his myeloma levels were at 80%. Dr. Kane, matter-of-factly,said that he would be put back into remission. At any rate, Ralph lost a lot of spirit that night...he wouldn't even open a gift that he received. Actually, we BOTH lost spirit. Neither of us focused well. It was time to regroup.

That night, I prayed for and found new strength the next morning. Maybe my prayers worked for Ralph, too, as I came downstairs to see that he had opened his gift. He remains out-of-sorts and into deep thought.

It is a fact...Ralph and I have good and bad moments...we NEVER know when the reality of our situation will become overwhelming. It is a struggle to push forward each day. It seems that weekends can be the worse...we have more time to think without the distraction of work. We are scared, and we are sad. We gather our strength from our children. We find distraction through work and laughs with friends. We may need a hug, we may need comforting words; we certainly love visits and phone calls...and PRAYERS...oh yes, PLEASE...we need prayers!

We look forward to this weekend. Nothing makes us happier that time spent with our children, family, and friends.

Enjoy your families and friends...it's the most wonderful time of the year...enjoy every moment!