Sunday, April 13, 2014

Good news...

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I know I've been a little MIA the last few days. Life has been busy and crazy lately. And I'm so behind on e-mails, it's not even funny. If you happened to e-mail me recently, I'm a bad girl but I promise I will get back to you!!

But today I have something completely different on my mind. My Mom, my sweet, beautiful Mom. I know I haven't given you many updates on her health, especially recently. Honestly, I'm trying to be cautious about the expectations or, maybe, trying to avoid disappointment. Had a fair share of those in the past few months... But the news is too big to hold!

You might remember that she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma back in September of 2013. Since her diagnosis we've learned a lot about her disease, all the good, and the bad, and the ugly. Lots and lots of ugly. I went to be with her when she started chemo treatment.

Fast forward seven months, six rounds of chemo, countless hours in the hospital and on the phone, sharing many cries and laughs, last week my Mom was officially declared in remission!!It's not the end. It's only a step for us but a very exciting one, nonetheless. Remission in patients with multiple myeloma means something a little different. Her next and most important step at this point is a stem cell transplant. And it's not a standard treatment for people over 50 in my country. And Mom is 55...

So on Thursday she got all of her papers and went by herself to Moscow (the only city where they even perform the surgery). She had a great conversation with a doctor at the Hematological Clinic there who gave us hope. The doc told Mom that with her test results, she's a perfect candidate for this treatment! She wants to schedule her for a surgery soon. We should find out more some time next week.

I'm very cautiously hopeful right now. But my heart is also bursting with gratitude. I feel so humbled and thankful!

Yesterday Hubby and I had a chance to go to a Multiple Myeloma conference. I have many questions about Mom's treatment that is different from how it's done here. After the official part of the conference many still went unanswered. But the guest doctor they had to talk there was so much help! He is originally from Germany and moved to the US just a few years prior. Because of that he knows a lot about how the process is done both in Europe and in Russia. He answered so many of my questions and comforted me. He also said something absolutely amazing - that less than 10% of patients go into full remission after just the initial chemo therapy! It makes me even more hopeful!

I don't know what the future holds. And I know that even after the stem cell transplant the disease will eventually come back. But I know that things happen for a reason, the right people appear on our path because there is a higher plan. Again, I don't know what the future holds but I know, God is good...

And news can be good too! :)

20 comments:

  1. That is just FANTASTIC news. So glad that the treatment worked and that you will have your mum for, hopefully, a long time.
    Carolx

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  2. I hope this is the first of many more miracles to come.

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  3. Wonderful news!!! Will your folks still be able to come for a visit or is it too soon to know now that she may be having the surgery

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  4. This is wonderful, Lena. You made my day with your post! Thank you so much for sharing this news. :)
    I don't know your Mom but please know that I am praying for her and for the process she is going through. I am sure she feels so blessed to have such a supportive and loving family such as you and your husband. She is an amazing and strong woman and I admire her greatly.
    You are absolutely correct, Lena- Even though we cant see what the next day holds, we know Who holds the next day. Your attitude is wonderful. As I go through my own health issues I comfort myself knowing that all my steps are already ordered and I am just walking in the path He has for me to follow. It helps to know that.
    Praying for strength for you and your family, my friend. XOXO

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  5. That is great news!! So glad that your Mom is in remission!!

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  6. Sending only good thoughts and prayers for your Mom, Lena!! I hope all goes well!!

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  7. Jumping for joy for you! Thanks for sharing your miracle with us.

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  8. Excellent news! Very happy for you all! Every victory counts. Glad to hear that, and hope the next update about her condition is equally positive, if not more so. Best wishes!

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  9. Lena, that is great news about your Mom! :)

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  10. I have been praying for this miracle. So happy for all of you.

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  11. Fantastic news. Go Mum. You'll be in our thoughts.
    xx

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  12. Great news. Thank you for sharing.

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  13. Praise God, Lena! That is wonderful news.

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  14. Sending positive thoughts and prayers for all of you on this journey, Lena :)

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  15. Oh Lena! I am so happy for you and your family! This is wonderful news. And I am so happy you were able to go to the conference to learn more and get questions answered. What a wonderful God we serve!

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  16. Great news! All my best to your mom and you all....

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  17. That is very good news. Remission does mean different things for myeloma patients. A stem cell transplant is the logical next choice. It is a very difficult process. I was in the hospital almost 3 weeks. But, I then had a complete remission for 4 years, so it was worth it. She will need a lot of support when she goes thru it. If she wants to ask me any questions let me know. Also, has she joined the Facebook support group for myeloma. It is very good and lots of questions get answered.

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  18. That is wonderful news about your Mom Lena!
    Rhonda

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  19. What wonderful news! Thoughts and prayers to your mom, you and your family.
    Tana

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  20. Oh this is fantastic news! We have been praying for her for the past few months. I love when prayer gains good reports!

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