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.
Saturday, April 30, 2016
Saturday, April 2, 2016
Multiple Myeloma and Heart
4-2-16
Saw Dr. Abonour last Wednesday. One of the blood test readings is a bit out of recommended, but nothing like it has been in the past. Consequently, the chemo-steroid treatments will continue in abeyance until I see Dr. A. again on 4-27. I expect the infusions will resume that day.
Saw Dr. Hillis, my cardiologist, yesterday. The port access mitral valve repair eliminated my heart murmur. Usually notice of such comes after a few months; for me, there may be no such notice since I was never aware of the murmur but by EKG's - I had no physical notice. I see my surgeon, Dr. Heimansohn, on April 14.
Having cancer and a heart problem at the same time sounds daunting. For the cancer, however, despite the feet discomfort and fatigue problems, the most difficult aspect has been the ups and downs from the steroids, not obvious to an observer.
For the heart problem, if I keep my shirt on to hide the scar on my right upper chest, there is no obvious problem to an observer. But the recovery from the surgery will be slow, very slow, limiting my activity. Again, much fatigue, but for me the most difficult restriction is no driving, which means Mary Ann has to haul me about. She is a good driver, but I would be unhappy having anyone hauling me. I hope Dr. Heimansohn will lift that restriction on 4-14. Then, I should be able to live with the expected 2 to 4 months recovery. I doubt I will ever be permitted to vacuum but I may be able to swing a golf club in the Fall.
It is now just past 3:00am here, time for my first nap of the day.
Saw Dr. Abonour last Wednesday. One of the blood test readings is a bit out of recommended, but nothing like it has been in the past. Consequently, the chemo-steroid treatments will continue in abeyance until I see Dr. A. again on 4-27. I expect the infusions will resume that day.
Saw Dr. Hillis, my cardiologist, yesterday. The port access mitral valve repair eliminated my heart murmur. Usually notice of such comes after a few months; for me, there may be no such notice since I was never aware of the murmur but by EKG's - I had no physical notice. I see my surgeon, Dr. Heimansohn, on April 14.
Having cancer and a heart problem at the same time sounds daunting. For the cancer, however, despite the feet discomfort and fatigue problems, the most difficult aspect has been the ups and downs from the steroids, not obvious to an observer.
For the heart problem, if I keep my shirt on to hide the scar on my right upper chest, there is no obvious problem to an observer. But the recovery from the surgery will be slow, very slow, limiting my activity. Again, much fatigue, but for me the most difficult restriction is no driving, which means Mary Ann has to haul me about. She is a good driver, but I would be unhappy having anyone hauling me. I hope Dr. Heimansohn will lift that restriction on 4-14. Then, I should be able to live with the expected 2 to 4 months recovery. I doubt I will ever be permitted to vacuum but I may be able to swing a golf club in the Fall.
It is now just past 3:00am here, time for my first nap of the day.
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