[donald ballard]

My introduction

by donald ballard on Wed Oct 20, 2010 4:51 pm

I was diagnosed with m/m in april 1994. Stage 3, began VAD immediately. For 10 months seemed to be progressing fine, but the chemo quit working. My doctor opted to try MP, a higer dosage that the Italians were doing. By january of 1996, i was in remission. I give all the Glory to God, in the name of Jesus, ;and most the credit to my wife, who was “saved”, and knew God’s Word. She wallpapered my room at home and the hospital with Scripture, and had me say daily things like ” I will Live and not die, to declare the Glory of God”, and “By his stripes I am Healed”. I wasn’t even saved at the time, but that all changed too, over time. But God is sooooo goood, and nothing is impossible with him.

After 14 years of being in complete remission, I have relapsed, but God’s Word never changes, so “No weapon formed against me shall prosper”, and “this affliction shall not come on me a second time”, that doesn’t mean the devil won’t still try real hard, but he’s a liar, and the father of lies.

I’m taking Rev/Dex now, on my 8th. cycle, and my blood is doing great, theoretically I’m nearly in remission, m.spike 0.2, down from .9 when I began chemo. I have the best doctors in the world taking care of me, the Great Physican in Total Charge, so I am sooo Blessed!!! I see Dr.Rodgers as my local oncologist, with Texas Oncology, I see Dr.Alexanian at MDA every 3 months, and I have as my oncologist at UAMS the one and only Dr.Barlogie, in Little Rock.You see, when Dr. Rodgers thought the m/m was coming back in 2005, I went to little rock for consultation, and examination. Since my counts were so good, Dr. Barlogie sent me home for 3 months, with sending in urine samples by mail monthly. We went 4-5 times over the next 18 months, the last time I did a SCcollection, which is ready and waithing right now. I did not produce as many cells as we wanted, but did enough for at least a single transplant. So, in January of 2007, I began to go to MDA, now seeing Dr.Alexanian, quarterly. In January of 2009, my numbers began to rise from 0.1 to 0.2,,increasing quarterly, until in March 2010 at 0.8 or 0.9 I began Rev/Dex ordered by Dr.Rodgers, instead of thalimidide ordered by MDA, my decision.

But Friday I went to the conference in Houston by MDA and Dr.Orlowski, the MMRF, 5 other m/m specialists, and listed about the new drugs, inital treatment and relapsed/ disease, stem cell transplants, options,etc. It was great but I still left wondering and praying what to do now, for supernatural wisdom and guidance. I do believe though that this web site was and is a blessing from God, and will help many m/m patients and caregivers.

I will keep in touch. “Have Faith in God”.

Be Blessed,

Donald and Tonda Ballard

[Pat Killingsworth]

Re: My introduction

by Pat Killingsworth on Wed Oct 20, 2010 4:54 pm

Thank you, Donald and Tonda! And thank you for praying for all of us multiple myeloma patients! I’m love the way your belief in God hasn’t stopped you from seeking treatment or learning as much as you can about your cancer. Reminds me of the parable about the person trapped on the roof as the flood waters rise… You know, the one were the person says no to help by boat and helicopter (which God sent) while saying “God will save me!” Good luck to you both! Pat