“This is very good!”

Hi Keep Pounding Rob team!

The past week has been an extremely busy one with tests, labs, meetings, and preparation for the stem cell transplant.  Today, we went over the results of these recent tests with his hematologist.

Her exact words were,  “This is very good!” 

The first bone marrow biopsy consisted of 50 percent plasma cells in the bone marrow.  A plasma cell percentage of over 10 in the bone marrow is an indicator of active multiple myeloma. The latest bone marrow biopsy from after he completed chemotherapy shows only one to two percent of plasma cells in the bone marrow.  This is a 96-98% improvement!

Rob’s January PET scan showed no new myeloma activity since the September scan!  It also showed no current cancer activity in areas found during the September tests!

His m-spike level decreased from 1.3 to 0.2!

This wonderful news means we are full steam ahead for the stem cell transplant!   The next big phase will begin on February 8, 2019.  It will be the process to collect the healthy stem cells out of Rob’s bone marrow to use for the transplant.  This process could last about a week and will be outpatient.  

The final step begins February 25, when we check in to the hospital and Rob receives a high dose of chemotherapy.  Two days later the medical team will transplant his healthy stem cells back into his body to begin the recovery process. 

We will post much more details of what the stem cell transplant entails in a future post, along with some frequently asked questions. We are still processing all of the information we received today.

For now, we wanted to say a huge THANK YOU for your continued prayers, love and support!!

Ya’ll have helped Rob Keep Pounding!!  We will definitely need your continued prayers as we begin the next phase of this journey.  

Thank you again, Keep Pounding Team—this is indeed very good news!!