REMISSION -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, April 22, 2009

REMISSION -- That is where we are... We are thinking about what ChemoSabe and I were experiencing a year ago today as he was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. After five chemo treatments and a stem cell transplant, he is in remission. Praise God from whom all blessings flow. AND, we could not have done it without our son, Tommy, Nurse Chundy, Sister Teresa, friend Sandy, brother Gordon whom came in from out of town to baby sit the zoo so we could get away and many others that mowed our yard and cut down trees after the storms. The encouragement we received was like nothing we have experienced before.

His labs continue to climb after his visit to the ER on Wednesday, April 15. He had to be taken by ambulance. I thought he was having a stroke. He was incoherent and stumbling with his eyes looking masked over. The reason was because of dehydration from gaining 25 lb. the week before and losing 25 lb. the next week. Given fluids, we continue to monitor his blood pressure.

With that, we monitor mine also, and find it has been quite elevated the last few weeks.. Hmmmm... I wonder why? I think the relief of hearing the news about No Mo Chemo has overwhelmed me. I was geared up to continue with all the responsibilities of the home and the constant medication. I finally had, what I call, my nervous breakdown last week. I cried and 'convulsed' to no end. I was so embarrassed as ChemoSabe patted me, hugged me and told me to just let it go. Even though I have cried more times in the last year than I have in the last ten, this one was different. It was like a flood.

We seem to be back to normal with our lives. The MM is still in our minds, but we don't have to plan around UAMS visits daily and on the weekends. In fact, we are heading out to Eureka Springs alone this week to, dare I say, honeymoon! (red faced am I)

My writings will be limited the next few weeks. My home computer crashed. The mother board went out. It must have heard our income tax had come in. I was lucky I had backed up all my files on an external drive over the holidays. I have about 3,000 photos on it along with my other folders.

You all have made the trip the last year easier for us. Your calls, emails, help and just plain listening.

Until I can write again.

Good day and Love -- Pepper