I can now, fully appreciate those Multiple Myeloma patients who have chosen to die rather enter than this arduous process. I am coming out of ten days of the most suffering I’ve ever endured. It is like they have to take you to the edge of death, in order to save you.
There members of my team who say that I’m doing better than their typical patient. Others have said that I’m doing average. No one has said that this amount of suffering was atypical.
Yesterday, my new stem cells started to work! A few white blood cells have popped up on the morning lab tests. This morning, there was doubling of that number. I have also started a slow improvement in my symptoms. I have now gone, today, 5 hours without diarrhea.
I have had a few minor setbacks, such as a fever and rash. We have to watch those things closely.
My kidneys have fared well, despite the great insult against them through my chemo, antibiotics (because of the fever) and the poor state of health I’ve in for the previous two weeks. My kidney blood tests have shown no worsening of the organs, but a slight improvement.
Today, Denise buzzed off the few clumps of hair that I had left, so I no longer look like Gollom.
It will take several months to figure out if the harsh chemo killed off the cancerous bone marrow. We pray for a deep and persistent remission.
J. Michael Jones 
19 responses to “UPDATE: 06/24/19”
Praying with you for a deep and persistent remission. You’ve endured much. Praying for the horror of it all to lessen with each passing day. (I am in awe of your ability to write about the journey in the midst of it.)
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I look the new look my friend. It seems you are coming to the light out of the dark place you have been. Praying for lots of lot to come streaming in soon.
Hugs to Denise, and you.
Ann Ann Hutchinson Meyers, Ph.D. Annmeyers@gmail.com 210-213-0320
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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I am following your blog and anxiously await them. Know I’m praying for you and am so sorry you have to endure this treatment. I appreciate my life so much more although I always have. I love you Mike. Tell Denise I think and pray for her too. I’ve sort of been there. You look good as a hairless man. Howie would be jealous. ❤️Sandy
Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPad
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I simply can’t imagine what it must be like for you… for both of you .Unimaginable horrors. Continued prayers that all this suffering will bring you the best results possible….Renewed prayers of comfort and strength for you both.
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I’m impressed that you are able to keep your sense of humor in the most difficult of times
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It’s good to hear things are finally moving in a more positive direction.
You and Denise are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Congratulations on the successes you are achieving and for the persistence/tenacity/? to choose to go through this process. It is not an easy time but sometimes life is worth the effort. Please know I think of you often and am sending you positive vibes! As someone once said to me (and I actually took it as a compliment) – you are a bulldog!!! Keep up the fight and know that I really appreciate being able to read your comments as you go through this. I am also in awe (as Lynn said earlier) of your ability to write through this process. I promise to have more grace and gratitude in life…..
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Little old bald man but getting healthier by the moment!!! Hugs🙏🙏🙏🙏
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Beth and I are praying for you and Denise. Sounds like quite a ride you’re on friend. We are so sorry for the pain you’ve endured, and are grateful for the hopeful signs. Love you, Craig and Beth
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Beth and I are praying for you and Denise. Sounds like quite a ride you’re on friend. We are so sorry for the pain you’ve endured, and are grateful for the hopeful signs. Love you, Craig and Beth
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More hugs and prayers. Mike, hair is over rated.
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Love your sense of humor and stark honesty in the midst of such extreme challenge! I also am so sad for all you’re going through and praying for your healing , sense of peace, and being surrounded in love
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Praying for you, Uncle Mike!
I will say, at first glance you resemble my dad in that picture! You may need to think about getting a Harley though beings you are going for the BA look 😉
Praying Gods peace and comfort over all of you. You’re all heavy on my heart.
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All good news to me. Why can’t you just let the mustache grow and comb it upward then you could look like Chewbacca.
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“Today, Denise buzzed off the few clumps of hair that I had left, so I no longer look like Gollom.”
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“Today, Denise buzzed off the few clumps of hair that I had left, so I no longer look like Gollom.”
Now you can call yourself Cue-Ball.
If I ever meet you FTF, can I rub your chrome-dome for luck?
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“All good news to me. Why can’t you just let the mustache grow and comb it upward then you could look like Chewbacca.”
Actually, with that chrome-dome and ‘stache, he looks like Rudyard Kipling.
If he did the comb-up like you suggest, he’d look more like a Salvador Dali with a comb-over.
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I hope so too Mike! I want to see your rosy cheeks at the clinic!
I’m really relieved and happy that you’re improving?
Boy! What suffering and no one else really knows what it’s been like. Close, but different…
Riley and I sent you a message a like bit ago in the comment box about the time we just had at the park. I hope you got.. Now we’re under the chestnut trees at the library. We both love this spot.
It’s warm, but just. Still, light breeze now a then. It’s lightly over cast. Feels perfect, smells green and earthy sitting here on the slightly damp grass. Well, I’d better roust Riley and go fix supper. Thanks for spending a few minutes with us here. Oh! And happy to see your picture. Thank you
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Praying for you and Denise everyday. We all miss you so much. God bless you and watch over you both.
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