11 - 13-16
On Wednesday last we had some good news and some bad news. The good: the offending blood test got to normal limits after weeks out of range. The bad: another test rose to out of acceptable range. Consequently, stay the course - three weeks on, one week off.
We were not surprised. Even recognizing that fatigue is consistent with my age, the degree suggested that I had some MM at work - even Dr. Abonour agreed.
So, why am I typing this just a bit past 3:00am on Sunday morning. Because I can't sleep, even though I had just over three hours of sleep last night. The steroid from Wednesday is wearing off, I can tell from how I feel, but there is enough left to enable me to type here. Fortunately the Colts have a bye so this afternoon should be good nap time.
Having been through this enough times to establish a pattern, its chemo and steroid on Wednesdays, fairly normal (whatever that is) until Thursday afternoon, then a couple of days of my being irritating and irritable - by Sunday almost livable.
I will see Dr. Abonour on December 7. I should get back here soon thereafter.
Sunday, November 13, 2016
Thursday, October 27, 2016
Multiple Myeloma
10-27-16
A good friend of mine who shall go nameless(hint: husband is finest all-around athlete I have ever known), has doubled up on me by sending her message through Mary Ann, her wondering where my blog was following my 10-12 visit with Dr. Abonour. In addition to being a good friend, she is a welcome reader, maybe the only one following me.
Whatever, in her email she assumed correctly, very little to report, a slight improvement in the bad tests, then a report from I.U. Health saying "stay the course" which I am doing. Yesterday was the third of infusions so the schedule gives me next week off. I see Dr. A. on November 9, may have more to report, certainly will try to be more timely.
One comment from 1-12 and later. My recovery from the up and down steroid reaction has been more difficult lately and more prolonged - never certain what the next day will bring. For example, now is early morning of the day following the infusion, later or tomorrow I may not be able to type and I won't be very pleasant, if I ever am.
A sidelight: on 10-12 Dr. A. was more concerned about my weight and blood pressure, his suggestion was that both should increase. I am trying to help with the former by having ice cream more than once a day; he prescribed to help with latter by taking me off a blood pressure pill. So far not much help.
At least I got to this before Halloween when you might have had more doubts than usual. Enjoy wherever you are.
kbw
A good friend of mine who shall go nameless(hint: husband is finest all-around athlete I have ever known), has doubled up on me by sending her message through Mary Ann, her wondering where my blog was following my 10-12 visit with Dr. Abonour. In addition to being a good friend, she is a welcome reader, maybe the only one following me.
Whatever, in her email she assumed correctly, very little to report, a slight improvement in the bad tests, then a report from I.U. Health saying "stay the course" which I am doing. Yesterday was the third of infusions so the schedule gives me next week off. I see Dr. A. on November 9, may have more to report, certainly will try to be more timely.
One comment from 1-12 and later. My recovery from the up and down steroid reaction has been more difficult lately and more prolonged - never certain what the next day will bring. For example, now is early morning of the day following the infusion, later or tomorrow I may not be able to type and I won't be very pleasant, if I ever am.
A sidelight: on 10-12 Dr. A. was more concerned about my weight and blood pressure, his suggestion was that both should increase. I am trying to help with the former by having ice cream more than once a day; he prescribed to help with latter by taking me off a blood pressure pill. So far not much help.
At least I got to this before Halloween when you might have had more doubts than usual. Enjoy wherever you are.
kbw
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Multiple Myeloma
9-17-16
Second try at this, don't know where first went.
Since my last post I have had two readings: the first showed a remarkable decrease in the bad blood test, the second showed practically no decrease, so the bad guy still rules. I will continue on the three weeks on, one week off, schedule, at least through October - no golf this fall.
The most difficulty I have is with the steroid infusion, not with the chemo. Here I am, three days after seeing Dr. Abonour and the most recent infusion, and I am not back to normal, whatever that is. Fortunately, Mary Ann is able to tell when I can drive without her sitting shotgun, plus she is good company.
I will see Dr. Abonour on October 12 and will be back here soon thereafter. Enjoy the Fall season.
Second try at this, don't know where first went.
Since my last post I have had two readings: the first showed a remarkable decrease in the bad blood test, the second showed practically no decrease, so the bad guy still rules. I will continue on the three weeks on, one week off, schedule, at least through October - no golf this fall.
The most difficulty I have is with the steroid infusion, not with the chemo. Here I am, three days after seeing Dr. Abonour and the most recent infusion, and I am not back to normal, whatever that is. Fortunately, Mary Ann is able to tell when I can drive without her sitting shotgun, plus she is good company.
I will see Dr. Abonour on October 12 and will be back here soon thereafter. Enjoy the Fall season.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
Multiple Myeloma
8-13-16
The good news is the increase in the bad test slowed; the bad news is the bad test got worse despite the addition of another chemo. So, with no change in the doses, I am going to a three week on, one week off schedule, starting with infusions on August 17.
We have known from the beginning that MM is not curable, but is treatable. Going to the "three on, one off" schedule is not in itself all that disturbing. What is disturbing is having to deal with the steroid ups and downs three weeks out of four. Maybe, though, adding the second chemo will use the steroid rather than making me a pain in the ____ subsequent to each infusion - I did seem less a pain after the last two infusions. Time will tell.
I have been feeling better. My feet continue to be uncomfortable but have not kept me awake at nights, nor, for that matter, during the day - most days I nap easily and often when I am sitting in my cave.
I did have an evaluation by a surgeon who has successfully deadened nerves in the feet to eliminate or greatly reduce foot pain. We quickly learned I am not a candidate for that surgery - among the problems for me is my pipe which I enjoy more than my feet hurting.
I have a new refrain: despite having had heart surgery in March and having MM which is not curable, I am in better shape than most born in 1932; of course, many of them are no longer with us.
I do believe my biggest problem is I cannot live long enough to get read all I have on my plate right now and more to read comes daily. I read that the most often cited Bible verse on Twitter in 2014 was Philippians 4:13. - "all things" is more than I will accomplish.
I will next see Dr. Abonour on September 14 and will get back here soon thereafter. I will report the "three on, one off" results, as well as my return (or not) to the golf course.
The good news is the increase in the bad test slowed; the bad news is the bad test got worse despite the addition of another chemo. So, with no change in the doses, I am going to a three week on, one week off schedule, starting with infusions on August 17.
We have known from the beginning that MM is not curable, but is treatable. Going to the "three on, one off" schedule is not in itself all that disturbing. What is disturbing is having to deal with the steroid ups and downs three weeks out of four. Maybe, though, adding the second chemo will use the steroid rather than making me a pain in the ____ subsequent to each infusion - I did seem less a pain after the last two infusions. Time will tell.
I have been feeling better. My feet continue to be uncomfortable but have not kept me awake at nights, nor, for that matter, during the day - most days I nap easily and often when I am sitting in my cave.
I did have an evaluation by a surgeon who has successfully deadened nerves in the feet to eliminate or greatly reduce foot pain. We quickly learned I am not a candidate for that surgery - among the problems for me is my pipe which I enjoy more than my feet hurting.
I have a new refrain: despite having had heart surgery in March and having MM which is not curable, I am in better shape than most born in 1932; of course, many of them are no longer with us.
I do believe my biggest problem is I cannot live long enough to get read all I have on my plate right now and more to read comes daily. I read that the most often cited Bible verse on Twitter in 2014 was Philippians 4:13. - "all things" is more than I will accomplish.
I will next see Dr. Abonour on September 14 and will get back here soon thereafter. I will report the "three on, one off" results, as well as my return (or not) to the golf course.
Friday, July 15, 2016
Multiple Myeloma
7-15-16
I apologize to the two or three of you who follow this blog. I said I would be here in June - didn't make it. The only excuse I have is that, had I reported in June, my comments would have been the same as in May.
Saw Dr. Abonour last Wednesday, the 13th. The bad blood test result was a bit worse. I will continue the two weeks on, two weeks off schedule. I will receive an additional chemo which is an insertion in the chemo I have been getting. I will see Dr. Abonour on August 10, hope to have some good news to report soon thereafter.
I have no reason to expect less difficulty following the infusions. But, I have new scrips from Dr. A which may be helpful - I will know following the next infusion on July 20 and will report back here after August 10.
Mary Ann and I wondered aloud if my age and the years I have been treated meant I could expect my fatigue to gradually increase: age, yes, normal for anyone, treatment, no, that is why I have the new scripts, to get rid of the cough and sniffles to decrease the fatigue caused by the cold.
Concerning the heart surgery, no murmur, but still some discomfort at the site of entry. Although it has been more than four months, having that discomfort is not unusual at my age and with the cancer having some effect. In other words, no problem.
Will talk to you later.
I apologize to the two or three of you who follow this blog. I said I would be here in June - didn't make it. The only excuse I have is that, had I reported in June, my comments would have been the same as in May.
Saw Dr. Abonour last Wednesday, the 13th. The bad blood test result was a bit worse. I will continue the two weeks on, two weeks off schedule. I will receive an additional chemo which is an insertion in the chemo I have been getting. I will see Dr. Abonour on August 10, hope to have some good news to report soon thereafter.
I have no reason to expect less difficulty following the infusions. But, I have new scrips from Dr. A which may be helpful - I will know following the next infusion on July 20 and will report back here after August 10.
Mary Ann and I wondered aloud if my age and the years I have been treated meant I could expect my fatigue to gradually increase: age, yes, normal for anyone, treatment, no, that is why I have the new scripts, to get rid of the cough and sniffles to decrease the fatigue caused by the cold.
Concerning the heart surgery, no murmur, but still some discomfort at the site of entry. Although it has been more than four months, having that discomfort is not unusual at my age and with the cancer having some effect. In other words, no problem.
Will talk to you later.
Saturday, May 28, 2016
Multiple Myeloma
5-28-16
As expected, the offending blood test was more offensive this past week and the infusions restarted. I am on two weeks, off two weeks (the second on will be June 2), and back with Dr. Abonour on 6-22.
I always have an up then down time from the steroid infusion which accompanies the chemo. But, probably exasperated by a severe cold, no previous down could compete with the one beginning Thursday afternoon and continuing all day yesterday. I was more than a little worthless, not even able to sleep, which I don't do well under normal circumstances. In one of my more lucid moments, I suggested to Mary Ann that she take me to a motel - she kept me here.
Obviously, since I am here reporting, I am much better this morning, not normal, whatever that is, but close. If I can get a nap or two today, I may enjoy the holiday. Hoping to get to Laura's on Monday to meet Adam's soon to be in-laws - still regret Mary Ann and I will not make the California wedding.
Still have the feet and fatigue problems, may be making some improvement with feet, none with fatigue. No heart problems. Even with the lousy cold, clear lungs according to Dr. A.
I will get back here soon after June 22. As always, best to you readers.
As expected, the offending blood test was more offensive this past week and the infusions restarted. I am on two weeks, off two weeks (the second on will be June 2), and back with Dr. Abonour on 6-22.
I always have an up then down time from the steroid infusion which accompanies the chemo. But, probably exasperated by a severe cold, no previous down could compete with the one beginning Thursday afternoon and continuing all day yesterday. I was more than a little worthless, not even able to sleep, which I don't do well under normal circumstances. In one of my more lucid moments, I suggested to Mary Ann that she take me to a motel - she kept me here.
Obviously, since I am here reporting, I am much better this morning, not normal, whatever that is, but close. If I can get a nap or two today, I may enjoy the holiday. Hoping to get to Laura's on Monday to meet Adam's soon to be in-laws - still regret Mary Ann and I will not make the California wedding.
Still have the feet and fatigue problems, may be making some improvement with feet, none with fatigue. No heart problems. Even with the lousy cold, clear lungs according to Dr. A.
I will get back here soon after June 22. As always, best to you readers.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Multiple Myeloma
4-30-16
Met with Dr. Abonour last Wednesday. The offending blood test was a bit farther from remission range, which for some reason we expected, and Mary Ann and I thought infusions would resume.
Not so; Dr. A. decided to give me another month to have recovery time from the heart surgery rather than add chemo & steroid to my body. He said the blood test was near enough to acceptable that the delay is warranted. He was very pleased to give us that news.
I see him again on May 25. Again, we will expect infusions to resume.
My fatigue persists - the only symptom I have, well, not quite the only, I still have problems with my feet. Dr. A. said to get more sleep and to exercise. Re the feet and my mention of the cancer and the heart, he continues to add, with his big smile, age. Fun guy.
I'm going to take his advice, at least partially, and try to nap.
Will be back here at the end of May.
Met with Dr. Abonour last Wednesday. The offending blood test was a bit farther from remission range, which for some reason we expected, and Mary Ann and I thought infusions would resume.
Not so; Dr. A. decided to give me another month to have recovery time from the heart surgery rather than add chemo & steroid to my body. He said the blood test was near enough to acceptable that the delay is warranted. He was very pleased to give us that news.
I see him again on May 25. Again, we will expect infusions to resume.
My fatigue persists - the only symptom I have, well, not quite the only, I still have problems with my feet. Dr. A. said to get more sleep and to exercise. Re the feet and my mention of the cancer and the heart, he continues to add, with his big smile, age. Fun guy.
I'm going to take his advice, at least partially, and try to nap.
Will be back here at the end of May.
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