3/14/11 Mission is a GO! We think.

Our appointment with Dr. Romaguera was quite early this morning. I did not sleep after 3Pm because of my stupid restless leg syndrome which I believe is from anxiety and stress even though I do not feel that way. Our bodies rebel and tell us something needs fixin'. I asked Romaguera how the Washington, DC conference went and if there was any new news. All he say there were some advances in the molecular area that was discussed a bunch. Today Joe's spleen measured 14 cm versus the 30 cm when it was at its largest at the time of Mantle Cell Lymphoma diagnosis. Joe's cough and lung infection has improved tremendously since Joe started the Inhaler and the Mucinex. It is about time since he had the annoying infection for 5 months and he is sick of it to say the least. We bought to Dr Romaguera's attention that Joe's appetite has decreased tremendously over the last month to only a third of what he used to eat. Joe says he just feels full or describes it as a bloated feeling. Joe's weight today was only 165 pounds on his 6 foot frame. His neck, arms, legs and rear end is very thin. Dr Romaguera prescribed Metoclopramide to be taken before meals and at bedtime that should increase his appetite. He feels that Joe needs help getting the food to move through his digestive system. I pray that it works. With the body's lack of fuel, Joe's stamina gets weaker which is a concern to the both of us. Dr. Romaguera foresees Joe will be able to get back on the chemo regimen of HyperCVAD part A. The good news with that is Dr. R offered to let Joe do part A on an out patient basis like Holli Baker did last week. Holli did very well with it even going shopping and apartment shopping with a chemo backpack. There would be lots of trips to MDACC but Joe would be sleeping at our "home" with Max and me. Plus, he would not have to eat hospital food which he says taste all the same after while. I believe doing it on an outpatient basis would be good for Joe's morale. Part B of the chemo is more powerful and that would be done on an in patient basis. The decision would be made on Monday when we see Dr R again.

Joe and I looked at the possibility of moving to a new location to have more room than a studio apartment but our search failed when the pound limit on pets is 20 pounds. We both want our best friend, Max, with her so we are staying put at Homestead Studio and Suites.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we are driving to the Dallas area to stay a few days with our dear friends, Julie and Russell Stephens. Julie stayed with Joe and me for about a month when she got out of the Army after her tour in Iraq. She was going to commute from Columbus, Georgia to Norcross, GA for a month till her place was ready. I was her Mortgage Loan Officer so I offered her a room in our home till her home was ready. It was wonderful for all of us and we remain close friends. I can not wait to see her new baby, Lily, who is about 5 months old and to play with Campbell who is about 3 years old who is so adorable. Campbell loves Mr. Joe. We will go to the Dallas Aquarium one day and let Joe stay at the house since it may be too hard on him. The drive from Houston to Highland Village is about 5 hours which is a piece of cake for Joe, Max and me. To give Julie a little break I am going to make her a huge pot of Italian Tomato Meat Sauce and meatballs plus Lasagna. She will have at least six meals for the future. I am excited about doing this for her.

Our next appointment is on Friday at 2PM with Dr. Torres with the Infectious Disease Department which we hope that he will give his blessing in Joe restarting chemotherapy. It looks like we will not get back home to Georgia till mid May. We do have a vacation week planned with Mike and our two granddaughters at Cape San Blas located at a fabulous white sugar sand beach on the Florida Panhandle during Easter week. It gives Joe something really big to look forward to. I do not think Romaguera will have an issue with it by stalling Part B of the last chemotherapy for one week especially since we have had a 2 month delay because of the lung infection.

God hear our prayers for the people of Japan and to our MPD and MCL friends who are very ill right now or awaiting a Stem Cell Transplant. Hear our prayers for our friends who are fighting other cancers and serious heart issues. Hear our prayers for the families of friends and our friends who are in the hospital. Hear our prayers for my sons and my granddaughters. Hear our prayers for Joe and his remission and to overcome Myelofibrosis which has gotten worse. Hear our prayers for our country and our President. Hear our prayers for the people trying to be free from oppression. Hear our prayers for Peace on Earth. Hear our prayers for a cure for all cancers and Myelofibrosis.

AMEN!
Bonnie