Cancer Update

The blood sample taken on Tuesday, March 3, shows the cancer numbers continuing to increase. They are now almost as high as they were at diagnosis 18 months ago, and higher than at any time since we began chemo therapy treatments. The doctor will probably add another drug (as yet undecided) to the treatment mix later this month. I'll let you know when that happens.

Thanks for your concerns and prayers.

Valentines Day Weekend

When I was little, my mom used to be famous (at least with me) for her sugar cookies. I liked them plain or frosted, but frosted was, and still is, best. Sometimes for Valentines Day she would make little sugar cookies shaped like hearts, and sometimes they would have pink frosting.

This year on Valentines Day weekend, Carol and I drove to Arkansas to check on my mom and see other family there. Because there were some business matters which forced us to stay over until Monday, we drove up on Saturday, spent Sunday in Heber Springs, and took care of business in Little Rock on Monday. We made a nice Valentines weekend out of it with meals out and a nice place to stay.

As a Valentine gift to me, Carol made a big batch of heart-shaped sugar cookies with pink frosting. Here's a picture of me sharing one to my mom.

Geezer Dog Rules

One of my favorite things to do every year is to sit down and watch the Westminster Kennel Dog Show (or at least portions thereof) for two evenings in early February. This year's winner is a 10 year old Sussex Spaniel named Stump. That's one old dog. In fact, the first time I saw him parading across the dog show promenade I said to Carol, "Wow, that's an old dog." So let's hear it for all the doggie geezers out there, and ARF! that, all ye young pups.

What's up

To follow up on the last cancer update, yesterday I met with my doctor and the decision is to continue the current level and form of treatment for 6 more weeks, see how things are, and decide whether or not to add more drugs to the treatment. Kinda like a groundhog seeing his shadow in February.

Daryl the Fish

Usually I make it to the gym three times a week and swim anywhere from 1/2 mile (800 meters) to one kilometer (1000 meters) each time. Swimming and walking are my only medically sanctioned forms of exercise. Fortunately, I enjoy them both. Here are some shots Carol took of me at the gym today.

Cancer Update February 7, 2006

Sorry it has been so long since I have written, and sorry I haven't written about anything other than cancer. There are a lot of really neat things going on in our lives right now, but I guess those neat things keep me too busy to sit down and do even a quick blog.

In the 3 weeks from December 30 to January 20, the cancer came back very strong and wiped out all the gains made in the months of November and December. Thinking it was just a bad test, we took another blood sample on February 2, and it confirmed my M-spike is somewhere around 3.0 (see blog entry of January 2). I go to see my cancer doctor on Tuesday, Feb. 10, and we'll discuss what this means.

On the positive side, I continue to feel good most of the time and put in full weeks at work. I have several blogs I would like to write, and hope to do so soon, hopefully on some topics other than cancer. Thanks for your prayers.

Cancer Update - January 2, 2009

Daryl Bennett has reached a new low, and that is good. This morning I received lab results on blood samples taken on Tuesday, 12/30, and they indicated that the all-critical M-spike (the primary blood indicator on the level of the cancer)is 1.6, the lowest level it has been since we began measuring it and treating cancer 16 months ago. For perspective, the M-spike was 4.0 at diagnosis, and 0.0 would indicate cancer-free, or non-detectable cancer. For two months now, the velcade treatments have shown a continuous and consistent, uniform decline in the M-spike levels.

We couch this exceedingly good news in the understanding that no cure is offered by the medical community for this cancer. The only way for me to be cured is for God to intervene miraculously, or for Him to prolong my life through various combinations of chemo drugs until a cure for myeloma is developed. As stated from the beginning, though I intend to fight a good fight and do all in my responsibility to do, I am totally in the hands of a heavenly Father whose love for me is beyond my ability to comprehend. There is no place we would rather for me to be.

I am still working full-time, and had a great month of December. I usually spend 6 to 8 hours each week in various doctors' offices for various reasons. In the overall cancer fight, I put a priority on going to the gym 3 times a week to swim 1/2 mile to one kilometer each time. Closest to heart, I still teach and serve on the elder board at the church, though I had to cut back on the teaching schedule and some other ministry items in fall 2008.

Thanks for your caring, concerns, and prayers.