Quick Update 1st Cycle of Chemo done, On to the 2nd cycle

Jodi has officially finished her first cycle of chemotherapy. She had one week off of all medications and did well. On Monday of this week she started her second cycle of chemo and because her kidney function is stable and doing well, the doctors were able to increase the amount of chemotherapy she's receiving for her second cycle. This is a good sign because often patients with multiple myeloma have kidney failure from the cancer itself. Jodi's chemotherapy includes three medications and for their first cycle of chemotherapy she only received part of one of the medications given the side effect of that medication is kidney toxicity. Given the fact that her kidneys have remained strong and not declining in function the doctors were excited. They were able to increase the medication to its full dose for her second cycle of chemotherapy. The medications are Revelimid, Valcade, Dexamethasone.

The side effects of this kind of chemotherapy typically include severe body aches, general fatigue and malaise. Basically the patient aches and is extraordinarily tired, leaving them too tired to get out of bed.  Some patients will also experience hair loss and eventually lose all of their hair. So far despite Jodi's continual lament and questioning about whether her hair is falling out, she appears to have a full head of hair.  Jodi has been a trooper and although she's been extremely tired this week as she starts her second cycle of chemotherapy,  she has been able to get up and get around and even go out a couple of times. She is however more tired in worn out. Another side effect of this cancer, not so much the chemotherapy, is pain. Jodi has been in pain however the pain has been considerably less significant than expected.  Fortunately she has good medications and has been blessed with better health and strength than expected.

Jodi will will have a total of three or possibly four of these chemotherapy cycles, and then get ready for her bone marrow transplant. This is quick and brief update on Jodi's life as we know it today. We love having Jodi in the house she's an awesome grandmother and wonderful mother / mother in-law.  We also thoroughly enjoy having Ed in the house, he is a great handyman and is busy taking care of Jodi, helping out the grandkids and all sorts of chores around the house. I'm wondering at what point I should break the news to Ed and Jodi that she actually doesn't have cancer and that this is all just a ruse to get extra help in our house.

Keep checking back in with this blog as I will continue to update it as Jodi continues her cycles of chemotherapy and gets ready for the bone marrow transplant.  I will include a post that explains the autologous bone marrow transplant in great detail but for the meantime keep her in your prayers and know that she is in good spirits and doing well. Also, Jodi loves hearing from all of you and the phone calls and letter / emails have cheered lifted her spirits.