Day 114

Talked to Dad and Mom this evening on the way home.  Both sounded in good spirits and they had good news to share.  The skeletal survey bone scan that was done came back negative for any lesions that would indicate that Dad has Multiple Myeloma.  This all started with an elevated level of protein in the urine, so they did a blood test and the protein level was normal.  Just to be safe they also did the bone scan, which now we have the results of.  The doctor next wants to have a bone marrow biopsy done but that seems like overkill to me.

He saw his regular doctor recently and he's cleared him to travel up to 4500 feet in elevation  They celebrated by heading to Kingman to have their car worked on and to meet Pam there for lunch.  Kevin was nice enough to drive them up, so it turned out to be a mini family get together.  Dad's GP is more worried about his COPD than his kidney problems.  I'm not sure how to take that.  The doctors also cleared him to begin working with some power tools like his saw with someone nearby to watch and make sure he's safe.  No big projects though.  I guess the first try at this wasn't stress free for Mom, but went off without a hitch.  He cut some small parts to mount his watercolor paintings on.  He had to make several of the same sized parts, and he remembered how to make a pattern (what he calls a "jig") to use for making multiple copies.

They were in Wal-Mart the other day and Dad was pricing out bikes.  He would like to start doing more, and the therapist thinks this would be okay if he rides with a helmet and stays in the park.  He also has been out flying his RC plane a couple of times.  Just flying the length of the runway and landing, but he did it without problems or crashing.  Pretty impressive!   I can't believe how well he is doing.

In other news, Dad has been having some trouble with dizziness, which has been going on for a few weeks.  Not sure what the cause of that is, but it seems to pass after a little bit.  

He silll wants to go to a movie.   Hello, LHC people!  Someone take this guy to the show!

We ended the call by talking about "normal things" like holiday plans, their anniversary, dinner at the casinos, news about his brother.  I'm so thankful that we can still have these conversations, and that he's recovered to the point that we can.

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise.   James 5:13