November update

Thanks to everyone for checking in. We finally have some new information.
We went to Fran's Dr. here in Rke on Tuesday and he wants Fran to see a pain management Dr. for the shingles pain. So she has an appt. this coming Wed. to check on that. Then we went to Duke this past Thursday for a checkup. This is her 6 month check up following the transplant. The Dr. is very pleased with her blood work which we are thrilled about but we won't know until next week regarding her multiple myeloma blood work. We are to call back Tue or Wed. to find out if she is in remission or partial remission etc. Please pray that everything is good.

More good news:

We just got a sweet note from Kathleen Hall, she was able to raise $3000 for Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. She raised this money in conjunction with the New York City Marathon. She runs tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 7, 2010. Fran's name will be on Kathleen's jersey as she runs the 26.2 miles. Kathleen wrote "Your strength and positive attitude has inspired me and I know it will help me push to the finish." Fran and I are so grateful and want to wish Kathleen the best of luck as she runs the NYC marathon tomorrow! GO KATHLEEN!!!!!!!

accupuncture today

Yes that is correct, Fran went for an acupuncture treatment today. Genie (Fran's sister in Richmond) has a friend who is going through similar circumstances as Fran and she went to see an accupuncturist? and was helped. sooo, long story shortened, Fran went today and the pain was relieved while there but afterwards not so much, but the person said it will probably take several treatments to get any relief. So she goes back Monday and next Wed. and hopefully she will experience some relief from the severe pain from the shingles.

Thank you all for your prayers,we still have not heard anything from the Dr. although supposedly the Dr. here in Roanoke sent an e-mail last week and we are still waiting for it to arrive.

We love you all and cherish your friendship.
Sincerely,
Charlie and Fran

Sorry for delay

I apologize that I have not updated you on Fran's condition for a while now. We have been waiting (not so patiently) to hear from Duke regarding whether Fran is in remission or exactly what her status is. We still don't know. The correct tests were not ordered and now we are waiting to hear from Fran's Roanoke Dr. Duke did let us know that some of the tests came back and they were within the acceptable parameters. As soon as we know something we will certainly let everyone know.
There doesn't seem to be an urgency anywhere but here.

Fran continues to deal with her shingles. The rash is almost completely gone but not the pain. At times the pain is quite severe but Fran is a trooper and continues to push on during the midst of it as best she can. Please pray that the pain will subside soon!

Natalie and Jordan are in with us this weekend so we are enjoying a house full. Again I apologize for the delay but we don't know anything.

Sincerely, Charlie

Great Vacation

We had a great vacation! We left last Sunday and spent one night at Park Grove Inn in Ashville, and then we headed to Tom and Marie Aker's home in Murrells Inlet where they treated us like royalty. It was so relaxing and enjoyable. Marie and Fran shopped and shopped and Fran bought some beautiful clothes for herself and of course for Natalie, Emily and Ben.
We got back Friday and then Fran cooked a big birthday dinner for 14 for Will's birthday celebration on Sat. night.
Fran is still in a great deal of pain from the shingles, so pray that she will be able to cope with the pain. Naturally she works right through it. It looks ugly and painfull. I don't know how she does it. I would be screaming bloody murder!!!!!!
That's all for now, thanks for checking in.
Love the Krauses

Shingles

Yep, that was what was causing the pain. Fran woke up this morning with a rash on her left side of her stomach. She already had medicine for it so she began taking it immediately after talking with her Dr. So that is where we stand at the moment. She is in pain but the morphine pills are working somewhat. Never a dull moment around here.
Till next time. Charlie

She's home

Fran got home today. Nothing showed up on the MRI so the Dr. seems to think that it was possibly a muscle spasm. Really no other explanation since all the tests showed up nothing out of the ordinary. Fran was able to go on over to Blue Ridge Cancer Care and get her blood work and Zometa drip (for bone desity). The Dr. is a little baffeled that her hemogloben is down but hopefully all the blood work will help explain that as well.
There is still pain but thanks to morphine pills it is manageable. Our next visit to Duke has been changed to the 12 of August. We will be out for a few days next week to celebrate our 35 wedding anniversary, but Robert and Emily and Ben will be here. We will update when something changes. Thanks for checking in on us.
Charlie

no News

Fran did her MRI this afternoon around 4 but naturally no one came by to give us the results. So she is still at Lewis Gale. The pain is better because she has been on morphine all day (they even gave her the pump for it). Hopefully we will know something tomorrow morning. I will keep you posted.
Thanks for praying, Charlie