Doug had his monthly Denver myeloma specialist visit last week. The cancer numbers - Lambda light chains in Doug's case - are starting to rise a bit faster. But the Kappa light chains are also rising, so the Kappa/Lambda ratio is within normal limits for now. As long as the ratio is okay, Dr. M doesn't want to start the new chemo yet. Sounds good to us!
The peripheral neuropathy in his feet is still present, but Doug is able to cope with it. Dr. M says we have the option of trying Cymbalta, but we decided against it for now. Better not to add another drug to his system unless he really needs it.
Summer is in full swing here, with the usual influx of summer people. Traffic is busy by our small town standards, and our only grocery store is swamped. Best not to complain too much since the tourists spend a lot and that helps our tax base.
We have started geocaching again after several years of Doug not being able to do it. Fun way to get outside and be more active.
Love to all.
Friday, June 26, 2015
Saturday, June 13, 2015
Cold/cough; Eye Infection
We had to cancel our trip to Nebraska again. Last month we cancelled due to Doug getting the flu.
This time he developed a cold with cough and a slight fever. And green mucus in both eyes.
We called our local clinic but couldn't get in yesterday. Today is Saturday and the clinic is closed. We had two choices - go to Salida to the ER, or drive up to Leadville to the urgent care clinic. We opted for Leadville. Doug was seen by a young PA who was very good. He took an excellent history and did a brief physical. He prescribed an antibiotic eye ointment and said to do warm compresses on the eyes every four hours. The cold is most likely a viral infection. He refilled a codeine cough syrup that has worked for Doug in the past, and considering Doug's compromised immune system, prescribed an antibiotic to prevent further secondary infection. We were very happy with the level of care at this clinic.
Doug's blood pressure is low at 101/67 but he's not dizzy. We're going to keep checking the BP.
We are counting our blessings, especially that all this came on before we left home on our trip. So much better to be home when not feeling well!
Love to all.
This time he developed a cold with cough and a slight fever. And green mucus in both eyes.
We called our local clinic but couldn't get in yesterday. Today is Saturday and the clinic is closed. We had two choices - go to Salida to the ER, or drive up to Leadville to the urgent care clinic. We opted for Leadville. Doug was seen by a young PA who was very good. He took an excellent history and did a brief physical. He prescribed an antibiotic eye ointment and said to do warm compresses on the eyes every four hours. The cold is most likely a viral infection. He refilled a codeine cough syrup that has worked for Doug in the past, and considering Doug's compromised immune system, prescribed an antibiotic to prevent further secondary infection. We were very happy with the level of care at this clinic.
Doug's blood pressure is low at 101/67 but he's not dizzy. We're going to keep checking the BP.
We are counting our blessings, especially that all this came on before we left home on our trip. So much better to be home when not feeling well!
Love to all.
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Off Gabapentin; Kidneys doing good
Doug has weaned off the gabapentin, with the doc's approval. The increased dose wasn't helping the peripheral neuropathy, and it was making him very drowsy. So he decided to quit it since we have an upcoming trip to Nebraska.
Doug has finished his physical therapy; it has helped him. His gait is still off, but better than before, and his balance is quite a bit better.
Yesterday we went to the nephrologist in Salida. He says Doug's kidneys are doing pretty good now. Just lay off the salt! He never tells anyone "no salt" since he knows they won't do it, but reduce salt. The doc is putting Doug on a small dose of Lisninopril. It's a blood pressure drug; Doug's BP is already on the low side, but the kidney specialist says Lisinopril helps protect kidneys from the myeloma protein. So as long as Doug's pressure doesn't drop too low he wants him on it.
We have an appointment with the myeloma specialist June 19. For now, we are doing well, and enjoying the warmer weather. We started up geocaching again - haven't done that for some time. Doug can't do climbing or actual hiking, but there are quite a few easy caches to find. Fun way to get outside.
Blessings to all.
Doug has finished his physical therapy; it has helped him. His gait is still off, but better than before, and his balance is quite a bit better.
Yesterday we went to the nephrologist in Salida. He says Doug's kidneys are doing pretty good now. Just lay off the salt! He never tells anyone "no salt" since he knows they won't do it, but reduce salt. The doc is putting Doug on a small dose of Lisninopril. It's a blood pressure drug; Doug's BP is already on the low side, but the kidney specialist says Lisinopril helps protect kidneys from the myeloma protein. So as long as Doug's pressure doesn't drop too low he wants him on it.
We have an appointment with the myeloma specialist June 19. For now, we are doing well, and enjoying the warmer weather. We started up geocaching again - haven't done that for some time. Doug can't do climbing or actual hiking, but there are quite a few easy caches to find. Fun way to get outside.
Blessings to all.
Friday, May 22, 2015
Light Chains Rising
The latest myeloma panel shows Doug's Lambda light chains are rising - doubling from last month. This what is used as his cancer marker. Obviously this is not good, but right now the light chain level is not alarming. Just a sign the cancer cells are awake, maybe starting to rumble a bit. We already know he will need to restart treatment at some point, maybe in the near future.
The new dosing of gabapentin - 600 mg three times a day - is making Doug tire even more easily, and sometimes a bit dizzy, but its too soon to tell if it will help the neuropathy. Naps are a good thing. Otherwise, he is feeling pretty good.
The new dosing of gabapentin - 600 mg three times a day - is making Doug tire even more easily, and sometimes a bit dizzy, but its too soon to tell if it will help the neuropathy. Naps are a good thing. Otherwise, he is feeling pretty good.
Saturday, May 16, 2015
More Gabapentin
Doug has recovered from the flu and is gaining strength every day. He is back to Physical Therapy and the dreaded exercises. We even went out to lunch the other day - something we haven't done for a while. We tried a new lunch place in town and really enjoyed it.
Yesterday we went to Denver for the monthly oncology check. This time we saw the specialist's nurse practioner because the specialist was on a bicycling vacation in Italy. He always comes back refreshed and "pumped up", pardon the pun. The NP is very good; we have seen her before. Since Doug still has the peripheral neuropathy in his feet, she suggested increasing the Gabapentin dose. Currently he takes 600 mg twice a day. He will now be taking 600 mg three times a day. If he can tolerate it, that is. Gabapentin can cause dizziness and mental fog.
While in the clinic, Doug got his infusion of Zometa.
Still on chemo vacation, as long as the cancer numbers are not rising too high, and he continues to have PN.
Praise the Lord for his provision!
Love to all.
Yesterday we went to Denver for the monthly oncology check. This time we saw the specialist's nurse practioner because the specialist was on a bicycling vacation in Italy. He always comes back refreshed and "pumped up", pardon the pun. The NP is very good; we have seen her before. Since Doug still has the peripheral neuropathy in his feet, she suggested increasing the Gabapentin dose. Currently he takes 600 mg twice a day. He will now be taking 600 mg three times a day. If he can tolerate it, that is. Gabapentin can cause dizziness and mental fog.
While in the clinic, Doug got his infusion of Zometa.
Still on chemo vacation, as long as the cancer numbers are not rising too high, and he continues to have PN.
Praise the Lord for his provision!
Love to all.
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
Flu
Doug is on day five of having the flu. It started late on Saturday - it seems a lot of illnesses start on the weekend. Luckily, a few months ago, at the height of the flu season, our PCP wrote prescriptions for Tamiflu for both of us. We didn't need it then, so the pharmacy kept those scripts on file. Early Sunday morning, I was able to fill Doug's prescription for Tamiflu and get him started on that. I think that helped a lot. Doug has had fevers, chills, sweats - just feeling crummy and not wanting to eat. Yesterday we were able to get an appointment at our local clinic. Our wonderful nurse practitioner added an antibiotic just to make sure all bases are covered as far as him getting a secondary infection.
Doug's physical therapy has been slow to show results. Now, of course, he is weakened by the flu so he will have to really work to regain strength. But he will.
We had to cancel a trip to Nebraska. We were planning to go see Doug's mom who is 102 years old. She is doing well considering her age.
I'm thankful he got sick before we left. Always better to be home when we are not well.
Doug's physical therapy has been slow to show results. Now, of course, he is weakened by the flu so he will have to really work to regain strength. But he will.
We had to cancel a trip to Nebraska. We were planning to go see Doug's mom who is 102 years old. She is doing well considering her age.
I'm thankful he got sick before we left. Always better to be home when we are not well.
"May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ." 2 Thessalonians 3:5
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Need Physical Therapy; still on chemo vacation
Monday we went to Denver for the monthly myeloma specialist appointment. Doug's basic labs are okay. We should get the myeloma panel results in about a week. He decided to keep Doug on the chemo "vacation" for now.
The peripheral neuropathy still bothers Doug's feet, and he hasn't been walking much. Dr. M said to go ahead and increase the Gabapentin from 300mg BID (twice a day) to 600mg BID. Amitriptyline remains at 50 mg.
Dr. M wants Doug to exercise more. He observed Doug getting up on the exam table, and said Doug is not using his leg muscles properly. He wants Doug to go to physical therapy, for strength and balance. I think that is an excellent idea. We have a very good physical therapist right in town. I went to her last year when I tore ligaments in my ankle, and my balance improved a lot.
The fatigue is still present. I was hoping that would lessen since he's been on chemo vacation. Hopefully, the physical therapy will get him to a place where he is able to walk more and have more energy. Our weather is warming up; if we can get out and walk on some of the easy trails I think it would boost Doug's spirits. Sitting around in the house isn't good.
We had good travel both ways. I'm glad Doug still likes to drive and is able to.
We thank God for our many blessings.
The peripheral neuropathy still bothers Doug's feet, and he hasn't been walking much. Dr. M said to go ahead and increase the Gabapentin from 300mg BID (twice a day) to 600mg BID. Amitriptyline remains at 50 mg.
Dr. M wants Doug to exercise more. He observed Doug getting up on the exam table, and said Doug is not using his leg muscles properly. He wants Doug to go to physical therapy, for strength and balance. I think that is an excellent idea. We have a very good physical therapist right in town. I went to her last year when I tore ligaments in my ankle, and my balance improved a lot.
The fatigue is still present. I was hoping that would lessen since he's been on chemo vacation. Hopefully, the physical therapy will get him to a place where he is able to walk more and have more energy. Our weather is warming up; if we can get out and walk on some of the easy trails I think it would boost Doug's spirits. Sitting around in the house isn't good.
We had good travel both ways. I'm glad Doug still likes to drive and is able to.
We thank God for our many blessings.
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