So much has happened in the last year. Last summer (2023) we noticed that Mark was getting frequent bruising around his eyes. His blood work for his WBC was off and we ended up getting a referal to an oncologist. After a few more rounds of bloodwork we met with the doctor in November and was told everything was ok, it was just some inflammation and since he was struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome, they assumed that is what was causing the problem. The bruising continued and finally I had him send in a picture of his eyes to the doctor. A PET scan and bone marrow biopsy was ordered and in April 2024 we learned that Mark does in fact have cancer.
He has multiple myeloma. He goes in every week for blood work, then sees the doctor, and then heads down to get two giant injections in his stomach. He is currently on two pages worth of medicines. Some are basic meds that are to ward off an allergic reaction, others are pain relievers, but some are to help the chemo injections work.
His first injection was on Wednesday, May 1st. The first few days afterwards went ok, then by Friday he was running a fever of 103, by Saturday it was 102, and on Sunday it was between 100-101.
His next appointment was Wednesday, May 8th. We mentioned to the doctor that he kept falling asleep all the time. Which was evident because he had fallen asleep on the exam table waiting for her to come in. He had also fallen asleep in every waiting room. She ordered extra blood work and a urine sample to be done after chemo. Keep in mind that the first thing we do when we get there is blood work so this was going to be extra on top of what he had already done.
Tuesday May 14th. He has been running a fever today and has gone from freezing and covering up with a blanket to sweating so badly that we had to get a towel to clean up the puddle of sweat after the fever reducer has taken effect. He has also been struggling with feeling short of breath and having a burning sensation all over his stomach, not just at the injection sites. He has reported this to his doctor and will be doing a chest x-ray tomorrow before his bloodwork and meeting with the doctor.
Wednesday May 15th the doctor decided that since Mark was running a fever and he has been struggling with this since the start of chemo, he would not be having chemo today. She talked about possibility having to admit him as the antibiotics he was put on last week has not stopped him from having a fever. Mark was able to convince her that it was not something he was comfortable with at this point so she ordered some more testing and new antibiotics and said to call her if his fever has not stopped in 3 days. If the oral antibiotics do not work they will have to do IV antibiotics. If he continues to get fevers after chemo Mark will have to take temporary disability time off at work which will last about 3 months or so.
Mark went on short term disability due.
June 10-14 we traveled out of state to Little Rock Arkansas to go to a hospital that specializes in Multiple Myeloma. Our first day of appointments we spent 12 hours at the hospital while they ran tons of tests. The second day we were there 8 hours. The kids were very well behaved and did amazing. The following day we had no appointments so we found a few local parks to give the kids a chance to get some energy out and play. Thursday we met with the doctor and started talking about plans for a stem cell transplant.
June 20th Mark started radiation on his hip. He had ten rounds of radiation. Towards the end he was experiencing discomfort.
July 29th a member of our church drove Mark back to Little Rock so he could be admitted to the hospital and start the process of his stem cell transplant. He was fitted for a port and has several different chemo meds running through his body. For now, we will only be able to video chat and talk on the phone. His energy is really low and he falls asleep on and off throughout the day. The effects of the meds have made him weak and shaky, he is hanging in there, and is trying to keep up his sense of humor.
August 3rd Mark's arms and legs are feeling heavy and it is getting harder for him to walk from the hospital bed to the bathroom as he is getting lightheaded. He has a metallic taste in his mouth and has been having a sore throat on and off. He says he is missing being home, me and the kids, and homecooked meals. It's going to get worse once this round of chemo is done. They are waiting for something in his blood to zero out. Once that happens he'll then get a special stem cell booster and slowly start to get stronger as they build up again and at that point they will start collecting. For now, he is drinking lots of water to help get the chemo taste out of his mouth.
Mark went back into the hosptial for part two of his stem cell transplant on September 16th. This go round was a lot harder. After having a super strong dose of chemo Mark had the stem cells put back in. What should have been only a couple of days being sick from the chemo ended up with over a week of not being able to eat or keep anything down. He was expected to come home by September 29th but did not actually get to come home until Sunday October 6th.
The following day, Mark thew up and later that night he started having diarrhea every hour. Tuesday we headed to his oncologist and Mark ended up being taken out on a stretcher from the doctor's office and was taken straight to the hosptial. He was diagnosed with C Diff and remained in the hosital until Saturday October 12th.
He is now home. He is still weak and tires easily but is taking it one day at a time.
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