A Few Updates

It has been a difficult few weeks & I haven't felt or had time to sit down & type much. The kids have had spring break the last two weeks, & the week before that I had to be hospitalized for five days. I was pretty much out of it to say the least. I was starting to get the shingles & had a bad UTI. So I had to get some IV meds to get everything under control & a pain pump. I got home the day the "big snow storm" hit. I managed not to miss any of my treatments, because it was my off week when I was in the hospital. I did have another scan last Tuesday before we left out for Seagrove Beach, FL for a few days. I got the results this past Monday, & everything is still stabilized & decreased by another millimeter or so. No new bone lesions, thank goodness. The lymph nodes are slowly taking their time getting a bit smaller, but these meds are working, so my doctor wants to continue on this clinical trial indefinitely. We were quite upset with the indefinite part because when we first started we were thinking six months then a year of maintenance. He let me know that this was going to have to be treated like a chronic disease & there isn't at this time any end in sight. He did mention that the way DNA testing was headed that possibly in the next 12-18 months that there will probably will be a way to pinpoint the right drug that will kill the cancer cells in each individual. It could be expensive, but at this stage you can't put a price on health. Please pray for patience on my part. The steriods are driving me crazy. I'm not always a nice person to be around, especially to my immediate family. The weight gain is also bothering me from the steriods as well. It is worse than the chemo itself. I am still very fatigued, but am trying to start exercising again. Even just a few minutes makes me fell somewhat better. I am having very little pain, which is the biggest blessing.

I have a team started for Relay for Life of Rutherford county. I would love for you to join up & come walk a lap or two. No running or being in shape is necessary. My team name is Team Arthanise...Hope & A Future. I will place a link on the right side of the blog. It is important to get registered soon. Thanks to all of you for all your love & prayers. It means so much!!

I will live & not die & declare the illustrious acts of the Lord. Psalm 118:17