Multiple Myeloma

4-30-15

For my quick readers, the latest blood tests were all good, some very good, except the disturbing one which was a bit worse.  Because of the good ones and since the bad might have been influenced some by my cold and cough, often severe, for weeks leading up to the blood draw, Dr. Abonour said we would stay on the "two weeks on, two weeks off" regimen and I am scheduled to see him again on May 27.  He said he was pleased with my status.  Now, the long version.

Until recently, April was not a good month.  The cold and cough were debilitating.  My feet bothered me more that usual. I had swollen ankles (a bad sign for those with MM), Very tired, I even agreed with Mary Ann that mowing was too much so have help with that, and I didn't move a fork full of mulch, had help with that too.  So, as my visit to Dr. Abonour neared, we were wondering if MM was acting up.

Then, a few days prior to the visit, the symptoms disappeared or decreased considerably.  No swollen ankles, ready to try mowing again even though I haven't, able to miss an afternoon nap without noticeable effect on fatigue.  As we walked in to see Dr. Abonour we were pleased.  When he asked how I was, rather than ask him to tell me i.e. blood test results, I related the good news, he told us the results of the blood tests, and we decided to proceed as stated above.

We were reminded that I don't have telling symptoms from visit to visit with Dr. Abonour, at least I haven't had any to date.  Just before the visit, we do wonder what we will hear, but most of the time. its "whatever will be, will be" as I have often mentioned.  But just recently I have been given a new slant on that saying.

In his book "Schizophrenic God" Steve Shank says "que sera, sera" (whatever will be, will be) is an indication of God's "extreme sovereignty" and that God has predestined all that has and will happen.
Shank disagrees, relates "free will" as the proper alternative - that Jesus came to wage war on the devil and we need to do likewise.  Not that it matters, but having gotten this far, and with all due respect to my Presbyterian friends, I side with Shank even though I disagree with him on much of what he says in the book.

Another stray into religion, a dangerous place to be, but one more observation.  I don't recall the source, but someone counted the 2014 Bible quotes on twitter and found Philipians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" appeared 613,161 times.  Second, far behind, was 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you" 261,417times.  Apparently twitter commenters are more concerned about self than about anything Jesus is reported to have said (what I read did not get to any Jesus statements).

Enough already.  There is a way, I think, to allow comments on nonsense like this blog, but I didn't find it when I started and won't now.  But for anyone wanting to set me straight on some of my musings, feel free to write to "kbwilson@comcast.net"  to remind me that nothing is more disturbing in an argument than realizing you are wrong.

I will be back at the end of May.

Multiple Myeloma

4-16-15

I said in my 4-2 post that I would get back here the next week after getting Dr. Abonour's written evaluation of my MM - just noticed I said "hop" not "hope" in the last paragraph.

I didn't hop to it because I didn't get the written evaluation, still haven't.  That may be due to my 5-8 experience with scheduled infusions.

I had a bad cold (is there a good cold) on 4-8.  I was hooked up to the usual beginning saline infusion for about an hour waiting for Dr. Abonour to authorize proceeding with the chemo and steroid infusions.  After reviewing again my most recent blood tests plus my current temp and BP, he gave the order to proceed.  All in all, nearly three hours in the chair later, I escaped with a slight bruise from the needle in my arm, and a larger one unseen in my posterior.  Every day there comes a moment when one knows nothing productive will be accomplished the rest of the day - such came early for me on 4-8.

I see Dr. Abonour on 4-29.  I will be back here a day or two thereafter.  In the meantime, I will cough and sniffle. but not so much lately.

Incidentally, I just read that those who get too big for their pants will be exposed in the end.

Multiple Myeloma

4-2-15

Saw Dr. Abonour yesterday.  He noted my Free Kappa/Lambda ratio had increased from 1.8 to 3.33 - the preferred range is .26 to 1.65 - but thought it was not enough out of preferred to change my current regimen, which is chemo & steroid for two Wednesdays, off a third, see him on the fourth.  I should get his written report in a day or so, will be interested in how he will classify my disease.  For those of you who follow this monthly, I will have an interim report late next week to tellyou what he says.

I don't have any symptoms to suggest I am better or worse.  Thus, when Mary Ann and I drive to see him we don't know what to expect - we do know MM is not curable, but is treatable.  We just hope for the latter if the remission fails.  We go from month-to-month in limbo, so to speak.  That's better, though, than having negative symptoms along the way.

I had a high temp reading early this morning.   Awakened Mary Ann to find other thermometers, they read normal so no worry - probably had warm pipe smoke for the first.  High temp is a no-no, am instructed to call Dr. Abonour whatever the hour.  Pleased we didn't bother him.

I hear "you don't look like you have cancer" frequently.  I suppose that is due to my not having apparent weight loss, and were I wearing a wig to hide hair loss, I surely would improve on my natural mop.   Any fatigue that shows can be attributed to age, as it so often is by Dr. Abonour even though he knows MM does cause some of it.  All in all, I continue with the thought that I am doing very well for my age, cancer notwithstanding.

I hop to get back here late next week.

Have a great Easter.