UPDATE: 06/24/19

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.

Denise and Mike in bed at the hospital

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.

Bald Mike

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.

19 responses to “UPDATE: 06/24/19”

  1. lynn holloway Avatar

    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.)

    Like

  2. Ann Meyers Avatar
    Ann Meyers

    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

    >

    Like

  3. khaleesi305 Avatar
    khaleesi305

    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

    Like

  4. Beverly Babarovich Avatar
    Beverly Babarovich

    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.

    Like

  5. kpbrown25 Avatar
    kpbrown25

    I’m impressed that you are able to keep your sense of humor in the most difficult of times

    Like

  6. Deb Avatar
    Deb

    It’s good to hear things are finally moving in a more positive direction.

    You and Denise are in my thoughts and prayers.

    Like

  7. Kristi Dahlman Avatar
    Kristi Dahlman

    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…..

    Like

  8. K Dalseg Avatar
    K Dalseg

    Little old bald man but getting healthier by the moment!!! Hugs🙏🙏🙏🙏

    Like

  9. Craig and Beth Clark Avatar
    Craig and Beth Clark

    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

    Like

  10. Craig and Beth Clark Avatar
    Craig and Beth Clark

    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

    Like

  11. C Avatar
    C

    More hugs and prayers. Mike, hair is over rated.

    Like

  12. Joan M Peterson Avatar
    Joan M Peterson

    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

    Like

  13. erinamdahl Avatar

    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.

    Like

  14. Sandra Baker-Hinton Avatar
    Sandra Baker-Hinton

    All good news to me.  Why can’t you just let the mustache grow and comb it upward then you could look like Chewbacca.

    Like

  15.  Avatar
    Anonymous

    “Today, Denise buzzed off the few clumps of hair that I had left, so I no longer look like Gollom.”

    Like

  16. Headless Unicorn Guy Avatar
    Headless Unicorn Guy

    “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?

    Like

  17. Headless Unicorn Guy Avatar
    Headless Unicorn Guy

    “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.

    Like

  18. Mimi Chambers Avatar
    Mimi Chambers

    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

    Like

  19. Denise Richter Avatar
    Denise Richter

    Praying for you and Denise everyday. We all miss you so much. God bless you and watch over you both.

    Like

Leave a reply to Mimi Chambers Cancel reply