Test Results...

The test results came to us on Tuesday of this week.  This big hot cakes has Multiple Myeloma.  He has the myeloma in 96% of his bone marrow.  That is not a good number at all.  In fact, that is an outrageously scary number.  The myeloma has settled in specific areas and these areas of the bones are the most painful for my dad right now.  It is concentrated in his shoulder, ribs, hips, pelvis, lower back, and upper thigh on one leg.  He is also highly anemic right now - and that is something that generally goes hand in hand with the myeloma.  His kidneys are still not functioning at a very high level either.  So - treatments are going to be heavy and hard for awhile.  It is necessary to bring that 96% number down in order for them to consider him a good candidate for bone marrow transplant.

Treatment plan:  We prayed our GUTS out and called on our family, friends, and social media to join us...because in order for him to begin the treatment right away - his insurance had to approve it by today.  Otherwise - he would be waiting until next week and that isn't something dad was prepared to do.  He wants to jump on this thing and KICK it in the butt!  So - after multiple prayers from so, SO many - we were blessed with a miracle this morning when my mom got the phone call that he is all set to start.  He went in for his first round of chemo today.  He will go in on a Thursday/Monday/Thursday/Monday cycle for two weeks and then he will have one week to rest.  He has to do that twice (so over the next 6 weeks) and then they will re-test his blood and find out where they are with their numbers.  This will determine whether he goes to Salt Lake to talk to the transplant center - or if he has to go through another 6 week round.  I know what we are hoping for!!

Again - I just want to express how grateful we are for the love and support of so many.  My parents are so overwhelmed by so many who have reached out with thoughtful words and heartfelt prayers.  There is no way for us to truly express the gratitude when the word Thanks just seems like it is not enough at this time.  We are aware of so many going through different struggles of their own and it is humbling to know that they are also thinking of us - as we are thinking and rallying for them.  The Lord is truly aware of our needs and He will carry us through.  Thank you - Thank you - Thank you!!

Update - more tests

Dad went it for his biopsy the other day - results will not be back until Friday.  But he is also scheduled for a skeletal survey to see how solid the rest of his bones are...that happens tomorrow.  Then next Monday - he has a P.E.T scan (http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pet) to check the functions of all other organs.  This is his starting line - but the news Friday is what will get us off and running.

Thank you everyone for the prayers and concern!  We can't say it enough - just how grateful we are for the strength of loved ones (here and gone) that he has behind him in this.

Where it all began...

About 2 months ago Big Rick fell.  At that time - he thought he had only hurt his shoulder and his lower back was tight.  He started to see an acupuncturist for his shoulder (along w/ his own personal massage therapists...seeing how he has 3 at his finger tips).  His shoulder recovered - but his back only got worse.  He did get in to see a Dr - who did NOTHING for him.  Told him it was probably bursitis in his hips and there wasn't really anything you could do for that.  Thankfully - there were a few that were not satisfied w/ that answer and we finally convinced him, after some scary incidents, that he needed to get an MRI done.  Off to Salt Lake he went to get the test done and the results gave us some scary - but much needed answers.  It started with a fractured lumbar (basically a broken back)...this answered his back pain.  But - within the MRI and blood work that was done - they found suspicion in his bone marrow and kidneys.  So, they ordered more tests to be done thru his primary care Dr in Idaho...which means...off they went to Idaho to have more tests done.  It was there that his Dr gave him an 85% reading that he had bone marrow cancer.  He said he could not give the 100% because he needed to see a Hematologist and have additional work done to determine the extent.  But - he had already seen the numbers in a few other patients that have fought and beat this type of bone marrow cancer.  So - those words gave us encouragement.  The Dr told him that his fall probably saved his life.  It also provided us with answers as well as a path to take to help him begin what we are calling "The Journey".

This week he will see his cancer specialist.  He had the blood work done today and they will have answers to us by Friday as to where we go from here.  This is what we know right now and again - ask for your prayers and strength to be added to ours as we help him thru this.