Our Litttle Trip to Mayo

One of the many amazing things about the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota is its art. Famous artists and philanthropists from around the world have made donations to its collection spread throughout the many buildings in the complex. My favorite object of art is the Saint John's Bible, a 2' x 3' gold leaf Bible, written with hand calligraphy, illuminations and illustrations, took from 1998 to 2011 to make, and is the first of its style to be done since the 15th century. Each day, a staff member will go by, unlock the protective display case and turn one page of the Bible so that all of its 1,100 pages will eventually be displayed. Whenever I am at the clinic, I like to go by this display 1) to see the artwork, and 2) just out of curiosity to see what passage is on display that day. On Monday, it was open to the closing chapters of 1 Peter and the opening chapter of 2 Peter. There are some very encouraging verses in those chapters, but the first verse my eyes fell on was 1 Peter 5:7, "casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you." I was not particularly anxious that morning, but it was encouraging nonetheless to be reminded of Christ's care for me.

On the medical side of things, Mayo measures myeloma indicators not done by my oncologist in Texas and determined a ten fold increase in these parameters since this same time last year. The Mayo doctor said this was serious. They also performed a CT scan and found new lesions in the bone caused by the cancer (fortunately not in structurally sensitive areas), also indicating the cancer is active. Both of which lead to the conclusion, however, that it is time to change chemotherapy drugs. While we were sitting there, she called my Texas oncologist, they conferred and agreed upon a new combination of drugs for treatment.

I will go to meet with my local cancer doc on Monday to work out details. If this is how we proceed, it has potential to be a much heavier and time-intensive form of treatment than I have been on to date.

As always, thank you for your concerns, prayers and expressions of encouragement.   - Daryl

Medical Tales of August

On Monday, Carol and I went for my regularly scheduled visit with the oncologist. Regarding the chemo drugs, the cancer essentially plateaued this month, with no significant increase or decrease. I am of the opinion that this type of chemotherapy has ceased being effective at fighting the cancer, and is actually doing my body harm with A-fib, shortness of breath, and other maladies of ilk. The evening prior, I had to go to ER with a serious A-fib episode, and the Wednesday following I received a transfusion, the third transfusion in as many months.

The doctor, however, is not ready to abandon this form of treatment. In all fairness, he needs to select a drug or drug combination that will effectively fight the cancer, while minimizing side effects such as those mentioned, or worse. Next weekend, Carol and I will go back to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN (aka "the Pool of Siloam") for the benefit of their insights on what treatment regime to use from here on.

Basically, everything is on hold until we hear what the Mayo Clinic has to say, and then get back with my local doctor. God continues to give us strength to do each day what He calls us to do, and we trust and rest in Him. Thanks as always for your love, encouragement, prayers and support.