Hi everyone!

Rob is in the process of going through appointments and tests to prepare for his stem cell transplant. 

We are still waiting on the bone marrow tests and PET scan results from last week.

Today was the surgeon and the ophthalmologist.

The surgeon said Rob’s bone looked tremendous, which is a great sign that the chemo is working! They are thrilled that Rob is a stem cell candidate! This is the exact response they were hoping for when they first saw Rob in September. The surgeon will see Rob in six months after he recovers from the stem cell transplant.

Rob also got a good report from the ophthalmologist. We have a much deeper appreciation for the simple, “everything looks good, see you next year” kind of appointments. 😉

Coming up: 

Tuesday is a busy day, with heart and lung tests, labs, nurse visit and social worker appointment. The transplant coordinator is helping us navigate the schedule that day. I’ll probably be saying this often, but we are beyond thankful for his knowledge and help. 🙂

I’ll post an update as soon as we know results from the bone marrow test and PET scan, and after the appointments and tests on Tuesday. 

Thank you, Keep Pounding Rob team, for helping Rob Keep Pounding!!

We would be lost in this crazy journey without your love and support!!

Rob will be going through quiet a few tests in the next few weeks, to make sure he the can tolerate a stem cell transplant.  As with other posts on the blog, we are sharing these details with family, friends and others who are on the same or similar journey. 

This afternoon, Rob had his first test, which was a bone marrow biopsy. The oncologist hopes the plasma percentage decreases significantly from his first bone marrow biopsy back in September. We should know the results in a week.

The bone marrow test today and the upcoming PET scan will show how the myeloma is responding to the chemo. Other upcoming tests include heart and lung function tests, to make sure all is well for the stem cell transplant.

Yesterday, we met our stem cell transplant coordinator, and he is walking us through every step of the way.  We are thankful for his guidance!

Thank you for the sweet words of encouragement and love!! It means so much!!

Hi  Keep Pounding Rob Team!

We had a good appointment today, and received the wonderful news that Rob will be undergoing a stem cell transplant! While it does sound scary at first, it is the most aggressive way to fight the multiple myeloma, and thus, help him Keep Pounding!!

A brief synopsis, with more details to follow later:

Doctors will collect stem cells from Rob where the chemotherapy has reduced or eliminated the multiple myeloma activity.  These stem cells will be frozen until the transplant.  

The most aggressive way to fight multiple myeloma is with high dose chemotherapy (high dose chemo is much more intense than Rob’s current chemo regimen).  Unfortunately, high dose chemo kills healthy stem cells and bone marrow, as well as those with cancer. The purpose of the stem cell transplant is to restore healthy stem cells that would be killed during this high dose of chemo.  

After the high dose chemo is received, the previously collected cells are put back into Rob’s body.   They will then help rebuild Rob’s bone marrow, stem cells, and blood.  Hopefully this will be accomplished without any active multiple myeloma cells. 

We will add more information soon, as it becomes available.   

Prayer Requests

Please pray as Rob begins many tests in preparation to begin the stem cell transplant process.

Please also pray for Rob’s continued patience, endurance, and courage to Keep Pounding as we head into the next part of this journey.  

Thank you, Keep Pounding Rob Team!!

Happy New Year, Keep Pounding Rob Team!!

Rob’s a huge LEGO fan, and he built the sign above out of LEGOS. I’ll post a picture once it’s hung in his study.  🙂

Rob has labs and an oncology appointment tomorrow. I’ll update with more information on what the next steps are, be it another round of chemo, or preparation for an upcoming stem cell transplant. Much will depend on the labs tomorrow. Either way, I’ll post an update with more information.

Thank you for your continued support, love and prayers, Keep Pounding Rob Team!! We couldn’t ask for a more supportive community to help us through this time.

We wish you all a very Happy New Year!!   

New Update to Friday’s Post:

There is no break or compression caused by the myeloma!! It is an inflamed nerve causing the pain. We are so relieved!! 

We are now working on the adjustment of meds to help manage the pain. Thank you for your prayers!!!

Hi Keep Pounding Rob Team!

Rob had a great appointment with the pulmonologist, who was thrilled with how well his lungs sounded!  He is happy with how the RSV is resolving! 

Unfortunately, Rob is still having significant problems with his lower back and legs.

His oncologist worked him in for an appointment before labs and chemo yesterday. This was based on his pain level, being up all night, and sometimes having difficulty walking due to the pain.

Earlier, I talked about finding out the cause of this pain, be it side effects from a medicine that may still be in his system, the myeloma, or something else.

The oncologist ordered an MRI of Rob’s spine this morning. The MRI is the best tool to see if there are any fractures or compressions. Once we get the results, we’ll post an update.

In the meantime, the oncologist adjusted his medications to help his pain.

Thank you, Keep Pounding Rob Team for your continued thoughts, prayers, cards, texts, and meals!! We draw on strength from you, and appreciate your support more than words can convey!!!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Merry Christmas Eve, Keep Pounding Rob team!!

We are at Levine now, waiting on Rob’s chemo, followed by an infusion to strengthen his bones. 

He will continue nightly chemo at home as usual, has a pulmologist appointment and x-rays Wednesday, and will be back at Levine Thursday for chemo. 

His oncologist made some adjustments to his medications, which have helped his intense muscle pain.

We appreciate your continued support and prayers!! Thank you so much!!

Merry Christmas to you all!!

About 2:30 this morning, Rob was admitted to the emergency room at Atrium Hospital (formerly Carolinas Medical Center).  The muscle pain became so severe he was having trouble walking, sitting and lying down. As he did try to move around, he heard and felt a loud “pop” in his lower back. The concern was that the “pop” was a fracture caused by the multiple myeloma, just like it fractured his arm that required surgery and two steel rods.

The good news is, the two CT scans Rob had did NOT show any fracture! We were relieved to hear this news!

That said, the doctor mentioned he did see spots on his spine consistent with multiple myeloma.

This is where Rob and I did a double take at 6 this morning, as it was the first time we had heard about spots on his spine. (Note: This hasn’t been confirmed by Rob’s oncologist, but observed by the emergency room doctor and radiologist on a first reading of the CT Scans).

As for the 8 spots Rob is currently fighting, not a single one is located on his spine (as we thought up to now).  So this morning, when the ER doctor mentioned his spine showing spots, we immediately wondered if these are new spots? 

Keep Pounding Rob Team, THANK YOU for your prayers, and please keep them coming, specifically for:

1. The spots found this morning on the CT scans are the ones we knew about and fighting now, and that there are no new spots on his spine (or anywhere else).

2.  That his medical team can get this horrendous muscle pain under control and determine the exact cause for the pain, be it the anti-viral medicine, the multiple myeloma, or something else.

3.  That his chemotherapy treatments will continue without interruptions this week and next.  We are thankful that he was able to get his chemotherapy in at Levine this afternoon, despite the earlier emergency room visit.

A HUGE thank you for your prayers through social media, church groups, neighbors, friends and family. You have lifted our spirits up after a very long night and day, just as you have done this entire journey.

I mentioned optimism in my last post. You all are a huge part of that optimism, and we appreciate it so very much!!

Hi Keep Pounding Rob team!

Rob was able to resume chemotherapy yesterday!! 🙂

The antiviral medicine is helping his RSV and pneumonia symptoms, though with some extremely painful side effects. However, as Rob said this morning, “When you think about it, I really caught a break. The chemotherapy is working, which is the most important part.”

His optimism and attitude remind me of the kind and brave man we have met a few times while at chemotherapy, and who I wrote about earlier (click here see the earlier post).

Please continue to pray for successful chemotherapy treatments, this week and next, including one on Christmas Eve at Levine Cancer Institute. In the spirit of optimism, we are thankful for what the chemotherapy is doing, be it Christmas Eve, or anytime! 

You all have been instrumental in helping Rob as he Keeps Pounding on this journey!

Thank you, Keep Pounding Rob team!!

Hi everyone!

Thank you to everyone for your continued thoughts and prayers through your cards, texts, calls, e-mails, blog comments, and meals!! We are so fortunate to have such a kind and supportive Keep Pounding Rob team! It is appreciated beyond words!! 

This past week, chemotherapy was delayed because of the RSV.

After meeting with the infectious disease specialist, and further tests, we learned the RSV had developed into pneumonia.

On Wednesday, he had an infusion called IVIG to help boost his immune system. Additionally, he started a new medication to help with the RSV and pneumonia symptoms.

Chemotherapy is on for next week, and we are extremely relieved it won’t be delayed another week.  

Please pray for Rob’s continued improvement and strength for the next two weeks of labs and chemotherapy. 

Thank you all so much for your love and support as Rob Keeps Pounding!! 

Today we had some GREAT news at the hematologist appointment, and some not so great news.

First, the great news: the hematologist was thrilled with his lab results, especially as his M-Spike level has decreased significantly by 85%!  This is more evidence that that the chemotherapy is working!!! We are elated with this improvement!

We are grateful beyond words, while acknowledging the journey ahead is being hindered by RSV.

Rob was supposed to begin round 4 of chemo today. However, the doctor postponed it due to the RSV and his coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. The nurses and doctor couldn’t believe how bad he was sounding, and as such, ordered a CT scan today.

The doctor reviewed the CT scan and referred him to an infectious disease specialist at Levine Cancer Institute, who he sees Wednesday. He also started a new prescription this evening.

If he has improved in the next week, he will resume his chemotherapy next Monday.

Prayer Request

Thank you so much for your prayers! Please keep them coming as we face these unexpected bumps in the road.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone coping with aftermath of the winter storm! Stay safe and warm!!