OH, The Ride We're on...

Ralph managed another round of chemo with the same effects as the last one. He was in the hospital for 4 days. Michael, Erin, Eric, and Mallory took turns at his bedside while I worked and Megan and Nathan enjoyed a, well deserved, cruise that she earned during her first year as a State Farm Agent. After Mallory graduated, from Pitt, with her master's degree in Speech and Language Pathology, on April 28th, I brought Ralph home. He, basically, slept for 3 days. On Wednesday, he found the energy to leave the house. Each day, he finds more strength (and sass). His platelet count was adequate, on May 3rd...we will see what Monday brings. He keeps busy telling landscapers and the dogs what to do...among others, I'm sure :) For the first time, ever, he has planned a picnic, with our children, and I am to "just show up". That is A-O-K with me! As always, please keep us in your prayers. We have a long road ahead...the ride can make us nauseous. We live in a holding-our-breath state...but we live...we laugh...we make memories...we are hopeful...and we are grateful!

Life is not meant to be run as a marathon. It is to be a series of sprints. The idea is to be standing at the end.

The children and I are doing a fine job of running a relay...taking turns at caregiving. We have certainly proven that we are a family. Ralph and I could not be more proud and pleased. Our children are our strength...the wind beneath our wings!

On this Tuesday, one day after the 40th anniversary of Ralph and I meeting at Route 19 Bowling, Ralph will be admitted to Shadyside for a second 24/4 chemo cocktail. This will be the same as the one in March. It is, apparently, not uncommon to receive this, a second time, with better results. From what I understand, he will receive this type of treatment until the Myeloma no longer responds or until his counts are VERY low to nondetectable. AND, if this is not enough to transplant, there is PLAN C...

Between treatments, we are enjoying life by planning weddings, showers, rehearsal dinners, and graduations. We enjoy times with friends and the kids. Do we have down days? YES, but we seem to be able to bounce back quickly. This is God's plan, and we hope to appear graceful, poised, thankful, blessed, hopeful, and faithful.

Thank you for your continued support through prayers, thoughts, kind words, inspiration, and unselfish gestures. Those keep our spirits lifted! May you each be blessed with good health, true friends, and peace of mind!

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!