Treatment

Mom just had her appt with the oncologist this morning and it was very encouraging. He was very impressed that it had not progressed in the last year "with no treatment". Of course we know that she has been treating it, just not in the way they think will work - go figure. Her kidneys looked good and her bone scan was good. He said the severe anemia (which is what makes her sick) is being caused by a protein that is out of whack. I guess there are 3 proteins in your blood and 2 of hers are normal and the third one is at 3 times the normal levels and it is taking over her red blood cells, causing the anemia. So for treatment they are going to give her Thalydimide (???) It is a drug they used in the 50's & 60's for morning sickness, but then they found out it causes birth defects. She had to take a pregnancy test and sign a bunch of paperwork promising she wouldn't get pregnant or give her drugs to anyone else. There are not many side effects with it so that is good. Blood clots are the main one, but she will just take a little aspirin each day. She won't have to not be around the girls (or any of us) like she would if she were doing chemo and her immune system is compromised, which is wonderful. They also had her apply for some aid that will help with the cost because, of course, their insurance won't cover it and it is expensive. And she is going to continue with what she has been doing which is not covered either.... He also told her that they are discovering with Multiple Myeloma that since you can't cure it there is really no difference in treating it aggressively (ie. chemo and bone marrow transplants) or not. This was also encouraging because all the doctors she saw before have told her that the aggressive treatments were the answer. Overall I think she is okay with where she is at. It's still hard, she still has cancer, but it could be so so much worse. She is working now as a realtor's assistant and that seems to be a good deal. It gives her something to do and some income which I know helps offset the stress of her medicine costs. Thanks again for the prayers and comments. Some people have asked about what they can do and really prayers and a little note of encouragement would be helpful at this point. Her info is Becky Fisher 12709 E Boxthorn Ct. Wichita KS 67226