Our Thanksgiving

Don has myeloma, a cancer of the blood for which there are treatments but no cure. Until a few weeks ago, his tumor markers had increased steadily at every blood test, despite treatments with thalidomide. Then, after five weeks on a new regimen of diet, supplements, and a common prescription medicine, one important blood marker was down 13% and another was unchanged. No markers were up. We celebrated, and remain hopeful. Next tests are in early January.

Besides being highly nutritious, the diet is intended to reduce c-reactive protein, which may encourage myeloma to grow. The diet features lots of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, with very little red meat (occasional bison), and only modest amounts of chicken, turkey and fish. Further, it includes almost no gluten, which in some people may also create c-reactive protein and may be linked to myeloma in other ways. Sunshine and Sweet Pea do most of the work in preparing delicious, nutritious, and healthful meals. The supplements are curcumin (lots!), resveratrol, and quercetin. The prescription drug is low-dose-naltrexone, thought to help regulate the immune system.
Don finished first in his age group in the Austin TX marathon this year.
Thanksgiving for all who pray, support, care and cheer!

Today we ran Don's third annual St. Croix Valley Runners Thanksgiving Day Run.

As we left the doctor's office with the amazing blood test results, I asked the doctor, "Is it Christmas?"
"Almost," the doctor answered.