Jan Ommen, our family nurse practitioner, had done her research even before she told us the cancer news. She recommended a hematologist/oncologist in Denver -- Dr Allan Miller. We got an appointment with him as soon as possible: August 25, 2008. By this time Doug was having more pain, and was taking some pretty strong pain meds (which really didn't help much). So Doug was not driving due to the meds.
This was our first trip over the mountains to Denver since we had been in Buena Vista -- and I was driving. (You have to remember we were flatlanders most of our lives.) I prayed for a safe trip and we had no trouble.
Dr. Miller told us that Doug did indeed have Multiple Myeloma. He ordered a whole slew of tests in order to stage the cancer. And he did a bone marrow biopsy -- not the most pleasant of tests. Dr Miller decided that because of the extent of the bone lesions, Doug needed to be started right away on a biophosphanate drug. This is called Zometa and is very similar to what people take for osteoporosis. The Zometa is given by IV in the oncology office every month. The purpose is to strengthen the bones and prevent fractures.
Dr. Miller said that he needed to wait on some test results so he could choose the best chemo regimen. He told Doug to double up on the dose of pain medicine.
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