Doug had his dara infusion yesterday. His blood counts qualified him for infusion -
ANC 1.3
WBC 2.9
HGB 12.2
PLT 135
He weighed 158 - a good number for him.
His blood pressure was a bit low at 127/42. The nurse repeated it and it was the same. He's had low BP before but the diastolic (bottom number) isn't usually that low. As long as he doesn't get up fast and pass out, it's not really a problem. He knows how to deal with it.
We got results from the myeloma panel that was drawn 1-9-20.
Lambda light chains went from 12.0 to 12.6. A slow rise which doesn't seem alarming to us.
We got a phone call a couple days ago from CBCI (Colorado Blood Cancer Institute). It was the nurse navigator for Dr. Matous, Doug's myeloma specialist in Denver. Dr. M wants Doug to have a whole body PET/CT scan February 19. We were surprised at this since Doug just had a PET scan last August which did not show any new lesions. The nurse navigator explained Dr. M wants another scan because in December the cancer markers doubled. The Lambda light chains went from 6 to 12, a big jump.
We will go to Denver for the scan - that's where Doug's previous scans were done. Dr. Matous will see us the same day at 1:00 p.m. Check in time for the scan is 8:30 a.m. so we will have to leave early. But we should be able to get on the road for home in plenty of time so we won't have to drive in the dark. I don't mind so much driving in the dark when we leave home in the morning; we are on familiar roads and traffic is not bad. Being able to see Dr. M the same day is wonderful!
Doug has been feeling okay but today he feels like he might be getting a cold. Just a slight scratchy throat and more tired. No fever. He's taking meds and not doing much.
Our son Kelly and daughter in law Jamee came to see us last Saturday. Always good to see them! We are blessed.
We still have snow on the ground but our streets are clear for the most part. This winter has been colder than usual so we are not having our usual snow/melt-the-next-day cycles. Snow covered mountains are beautiful.
Today's verse:
"The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless." Isaiah 40:28-29
Love to all.
Friday, January 24, 2020
Friday, January 10, 2020
Another dara infusion
Doug had his biweekly dara infusion yesterday. His blood counts were better. Last week his ANC was 1.0, barely qualifying. Yesterday it was 1.4.
WBC was 3.2
HBG was 12.4
PLT " 205. Not bad for a chemo patient.
He weighed 157 - up a pound. His appetite has been pretty good now that the Revlimid is out of his system.
While Doug was getting the dara, I climbed all the stairs in the building several times. And I had a good conversation with a gal I know whose husband was also getting his chemo drugs.
The rapid rate infusion only takes 90 minutes once the infusion starts. Doug was finished by noon. He did get his cheeseburger for lunch!
At the next infusion we will have the results of the myeloma panel, which shows the cancer markers. And we are scheduled to see the local oncologist.
Love to all.
Message for today:
"May God ignite fresh faith in you today.
May you pray with clarity, precision, and power.
May you stand on His Word and hold fast to His promises.
May you refuse to fixate on your difficulties, and instead fix your eyes on Jesus -
the One who will finish what He started in you.
He is always good, always true, and He WILL come through for you!
May the Lord overwhelm you with an awakening of faith, hope, and love today.
Look up and be blessed."
from Blessings for the Morning and Evening
by Susie Larson
WBC was 3.2
HBG was 12.4
PLT " 205. Not bad for a chemo patient.
He weighed 157 - up a pound. His appetite has been pretty good now that the Revlimid is out of his system.
While Doug was getting the dara, I climbed all the stairs in the building several times. And I had a good conversation with a gal I know whose husband was also getting his chemo drugs.
The rapid rate infusion only takes 90 minutes once the infusion starts. Doug was finished by noon. He did get his cheeseburger for lunch!
At the next infusion we will have the results of the myeloma panel, which shows the cancer markers. And we are scheduled to see the local oncologist.
Love to all.
Message for today:
"May God ignite fresh faith in you today.
May you pray with clarity, precision, and power.
May you stand on His Word and hold fast to His promises.
May you refuse to fixate on your difficulties, and instead fix your eyes on Jesus -
the One who will finish what He started in you.
He is always good, always true, and He WILL come through for you!
May the Lord overwhelm you with an awakening of faith, hope, and love today.
Look up and be blessed."
from Blessings for the Morning and Evening
by Susie Larson
Friday, December 27, 2019
Light chains still rising , Merry Christmas
We had a very good Christmas, with our son Kelly, daughter in law Jamee, and all five of our grandkids. I drove us to Highlands Ranch and back; roads were pretty good. Our grandkids are all in their 20's, moved out and working so getting them all together at the same time is a rarity. They opened presents with all the glee and no decorum - fun to watch!
Jamee and Kelly provided a wonderful brunch and we all sat at a long table - just like Norman Rockwell.
Christmas Eve we stayed home and watched the service on YouTube. It's always a big crowd at church.
Doug had his infusion yesterday, Dec 26. He weighed 156, pretty stable for him these days.
His counts were
Doug's Lambda light chains (cancer markers) rose again, from 6.6 last month to 12.0 mg/dL. Back in July, the Denver myeloma specialist said "if the Lambda light chains get to 300 mg/L" he will change Doug's treatment. It's a little confusing since our local med center uses Mayo values of mg/dL and Denver uses mg/L - we have to move the decimal to the right to get apples to apples.
So 12 becomes 120. We have a ways to go before hitting 300 but the trend is upward, unfortunately.
Dr. A, the local oncologist spoke to Doug while he was in the infusion chair. She said she is keeping a close eye on the light chains and is keeping Dr. M, the Denver specialist, posted.
We had more snow here today. It's very pretty and was about 6 or 7" but fluffy. Our 'greatest in the world' neighbors shoveled the drive before we got to it. Thanks Doug and Donna!
Doug is feeling fairly well and we have much to be thankful for.
Happy New Year to all!
Verse for the day:
May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Th 3:5
Jamee and Kelly provided a wonderful brunch and we all sat at a long table - just like Norman Rockwell.
Christmas Eve we stayed home and watched the service on YouTube. It's always a big crowd at church.
Doug had his infusion yesterday, Dec 26. He weighed 156, pretty stable for him these days.
His counts were
- WBC 3.0 (normal is 4.5 to 10.0)
- HGB 12.4 ( " 14 to 18)
- PLT 127 ( " 130 to 400)
- ANC 1.0 ( " 1.8 to 8.3) Low but qualifying
Doug's Lambda light chains (cancer markers) rose again, from 6.6 last month to 12.0 mg/dL. Back in July, the Denver myeloma specialist said "if the Lambda light chains get to 300 mg/L" he will change Doug's treatment. It's a little confusing since our local med center uses Mayo values of mg/dL and Denver uses mg/L - we have to move the decimal to the right to get apples to apples.
So 12 becomes 120. We have a ways to go before hitting 300 but the trend is upward, unfortunately.
Dr. A, the local oncologist spoke to Doug while he was in the infusion chair. She said she is keeping a close eye on the light chains and is keeping Dr. M, the Denver specialist, posted.
We had more snow here today. It's very pretty and was about 6 or 7" but fluffy. Our 'greatest in the world' neighbors shoveled the drive before we got to it. Thanks Doug and Donna!
Doug is feeling fairly well and we have much to be thankful for.
Happy New Year to all!
Verse for the day:
May the Lord bring you into an ever deeper understanding of the love of God and the endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Th 3:5
Sunday, December 15, 2019
ANC came up!
Doug had his dara infusion last Thursday. After a week off Pomalyst, his ANC came up from 0.7 to 1.9. Good! His weight was 156 - it has been stable for the last few weeks.
The nurse drew extra blood for the myeloma panel; no telling when we will get those results.
Doug has had a couple episodes of vomiting with no warning, and he feels fine afterward; no fever. Nothing to be concerned about unless it gets more frequent.
We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and safe travels.
Love to all.
The nurse drew extra blood for the myeloma panel; no telling when we will get those results.
Doug has had a couple episodes of vomiting with no warning, and he feels fine afterward; no fever. Nothing to be concerned about unless it gets more frequent.
We hope you all have a Merry Christmas and safe travels.
Love to all.
Friday, November 29, 2019
Very low ANC, Thankfulness
We were able to be with family for Thanksgiving; the weather cooperated for us to drive to Highlands Ranch, home of our son and daughter in law - 2.5 hours from us. We've had some winter storms so we were fortunate to have the one day of good travel conditions. 4 of 5 grandkids were there, all but our oldest who lives in eastern Nebraska. We had a wonderful time, laughing, enjoying the kids and eating. And eating. Yum. And we got home before dark!
Today Doug had his infusion, cycle 11 which means 11 months on this daratumumab treatment. More snow was falling on our drive to Salida, some low visibility but roads were passable.
Doug's ANC (absolute neutrophil count) was 0.7 - too low to qualify for treatment. Minimum ANC for treatment is 1.0. The neutrophils are part of the white blood cells - very important part of the immune system.
We thought Doug would not be able to get his infusion, but the nurse called Dr. A, the oncologist, as is required.
Dr. A consulted by phone with the Denver specialist and they came up with a plan. Doug got the dara infusion, but he is not to take his Pomalyst pills for a week. That sounded good to us. So nice to have the two docs working together.
This week Doug's important blood counts were:
Gammaglobulins very low as they have been.
We have much to be thankful for:
Despite low immune system, Doug has not had an infection. Of course we are being careful.
Safe travel on Thanksgiving and today.
Two oncologists who work together on Doug's case.
Great infusion nurses.
Our family.
Wonderful neighbors who clear our driveway.
Friends who pray for us.
Too many blessings to list!
Love to all.
"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord." Psalm 27:14
Today Doug had his infusion, cycle 11 which means 11 months on this daratumumab treatment. More snow was falling on our drive to Salida, some low visibility but roads were passable.
Doug's ANC (absolute neutrophil count) was 0.7 - too low to qualify for treatment. Minimum ANC for treatment is 1.0. The neutrophils are part of the white blood cells - very important part of the immune system.
We thought Doug would not be able to get his infusion, but the nurse called Dr. A, the oncologist, as is required.
Dr. A consulted by phone with the Denver specialist and they came up with a plan. Doug got the dara infusion, but he is not to take his Pomalyst pills for a week. That sounded good to us. So nice to have the two docs working together.
This week Doug's important blood counts were:
- WBC 2.6 (normal is 4.5 to 10.0)
- HGB 11.6 ( " 14 to 18)
- PLT 135 ( " 130 to 400)
- ANC 0.7 ( " 1.8 to 8.3)
Gammaglobulins very low as they have been.
We have much to be thankful for:
Despite low immune system, Doug has not had an infection. Of course we are being careful.
Safe travel on Thanksgiving and today.
Two oncologists who work together on Doug's case.
Great infusion nurses.
Our family.
Wonderful neighbors who clear our driveway.
Friends who pray for us.
Too many blessings to list!
Love to all.
"Wait and hope for and expect the Lord; be brave and of good courage and let your heart be stout and enduring. Yes, wait for and hope for and expect the Lord." Psalm 27:14
Thursday, November 21, 2019
Denver specialist
Tuesday we went to Denver for a scheduled appointment with Dr. Matous, Doug's myeloma specialist.
He told us about new treatments in the pipeline. Before they are approved, new drugs don't get a name, they get a number. M-3258 is a drug in early trial now. Dr. M treated the first two humans in the trial! He was excited about that.
He has talked on the phone with our local oncologist, Dr. Arrambide. They have traded cell phone numbers so they can get in touch easily. Dr. M says because Dr. A is willing to take direction from him, we won't need to go to Denver so often. Dr. A will see Doug every month and keep Dr. M posted. That is great for us! Having the two docs on the same page will be wonderful. We will make the Denver trip every 4 months for now.
Doug weighed 155 pounds, not bad.
Dr. M emphasized to Doug how important exercise is. Studies have shown that patients who get regular exercise do better than those who don't.
Doug has a small lump on his head. Dr. M says it doesn't feel like a plasmacytoma to him, probably just a cyst. We will keep checking on it and if it grows, will get it biopsied.
I had to drive the last leg home in the dark. Not my strong suite! We prayed for safe travel and got home safely. Tuesday the roads were dry. Good travel weather. Much to be thankful for! Now we are getting snow.
Here is part of a devotional, Jesus Calling:
"A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings fall freely onto you through those openings into eternity. Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me. A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble."
We hope you all enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving!
He told us about new treatments in the pipeline. Before they are approved, new drugs don't get a name, they get a number. M-3258 is a drug in early trial now. Dr. M treated the first two humans in the trial! He was excited about that.
He has talked on the phone with our local oncologist, Dr. Arrambide. They have traded cell phone numbers so they can get in touch easily. Dr. M says because Dr. A is willing to take direction from him, we won't need to go to Denver so often. Dr. A will see Doug every month and keep Dr. M posted. That is great for us! Having the two docs on the same page will be wonderful. We will make the Denver trip every 4 months for now.
Doug weighed 155 pounds, not bad.
Dr. M emphasized to Doug how important exercise is. Studies have shown that patients who get regular exercise do better than those who don't.
Doug has a small lump on his head. Dr. M says it doesn't feel like a plasmacytoma to him, probably just a cyst. We will keep checking on it and if it grows, will get it biopsied.
I had to drive the last leg home in the dark. Not my strong suite! We prayed for safe travel and got home safely. Tuesday the roads were dry. Good travel weather. Much to be thankful for! Now we are getting snow.
Here is part of a devotional, Jesus Calling:
"A thankful attitude opens windows of heaven. Spiritual blessings fall freely onto you through those openings into eternity. Thankfulness is not some sort of magic formula; it is the language of Love, which enables you to communicate intimately with Me. A thankful mind-set does not entail a denial of reality with its plethora of problems. Instead, it rejoices in Me, your Savior, in the midst of trials and tribulations. I am your refuge and strength, an ever-present and well-proved help in trouble."
We hope you all enjoy a blessed Thanksgiving!
Thursday, November 14, 2019
New local oncologist, Rapid rate dara infusion
We got to meet the new HRRMC oncologist, Dr. Kathryn Arrambide. We like her very much. She's probably in her 50's, bright, knowledgable about myeloma; she seems compassionate and has a sense of humor. Best of all, she is very willing to work with Dr. M, our Denver specialist. The two docs now have each other's cell phone numbers. She spent almost an hour with us. We have confidence in her.
Doug had a myeloma panel (blood test which tracks the cancer markers) done October 9. The Lambda light chains are up to 6.60 mg/dL and the Kappa/Lambda ratio is .1412 which is low. Not good.
Dr. A talked with Dr. M and they agreed that Doug should be put back on daratumumab infusions every two weeks instead of monthly. We hope this will keep the myeloma in check. Or at least not growing so fast.
Doug has been out of remission for too long.
He weighed 152 today. He still has a hard time keeping his weight up.
Doug is now on Pomalyst instead of Revlimid. The Pom is being rough on Doug's blood counts but they are good enough to qualify for today's infusion.
ANC was 1.2, platlets 115, hemoglobin 11.2.
His immunoglobulins are very low also. So Doug has to be very careful to avoid large groups of people where he could catch an infection.
During the flu season the only place he will go is to church, where he sits on the end seat.
One thing was different about today's infusion - Dr M said Doug could have the new dara protocol of rapid rate infusion, since he has not had any trouble with dara. Rapid rate is the same dose but it is given in 90 minutes instead of 3 hours. Less time in the chair! His nurse monitored him to make sure he was doing ok. It went well.
Doug is not happy about going back to every two weeks but at least it will go more quickly.
Doug's mother died last week in Nebraska. She was 106 years old and her quality of life has not been very good the last few months. She has told us repeatedly that she is ready to go to heaven. She will be missed but we believe she is in a much better place and at peace, with Jesus. No more dementia.
Peace and love to all.
Today's quote:
"There is always, always, always something to be thankful for."
Ann Voskamp.
Doug had a myeloma panel (blood test which tracks the cancer markers) done October 9. The Lambda light chains are up to 6.60 mg/dL and the Kappa/Lambda ratio is .1412 which is low. Not good.
Dr. A talked with Dr. M and they agreed that Doug should be put back on daratumumab infusions every two weeks instead of monthly. We hope this will keep the myeloma in check. Or at least not growing so fast.
Doug has been out of remission for too long.
He weighed 152 today. He still has a hard time keeping his weight up.
Doug is now on Pomalyst instead of Revlimid. The Pom is being rough on Doug's blood counts but they are good enough to qualify for today's infusion.
ANC was 1.2, platlets 115, hemoglobin 11.2.
His immunoglobulins are very low also. So Doug has to be very careful to avoid large groups of people where he could catch an infection.
During the flu season the only place he will go is to church, where he sits on the end seat.
One thing was different about today's infusion - Dr M said Doug could have the new dara protocol of rapid rate infusion, since he has not had any trouble with dara. Rapid rate is the same dose but it is given in 90 minutes instead of 3 hours. Less time in the chair! His nurse monitored him to make sure he was doing ok. It went well.
Doug is not happy about going back to every two weeks but at least it will go more quickly.
Doug's mother died last week in Nebraska. She was 106 years old and her quality of life has not been very good the last few months. She has told us repeatedly that she is ready to go to heaven. She will be missed but we believe she is in a much better place and at peace, with Jesus. No more dementia.
Peace and love to all.
Today's quote:
"There is always, always, always something to be thankful for."
Ann Voskamp.
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