EUS results - good news

Doug had the endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) done yesterday in Colorado Springs. Results are good - no signs of any mass in the head of the pancreas or in the bile duct. A small portion of dilated bile duct was noted, but not thought to be a problem. Some scarring could be seen in the pancreas, most likely from the severe case of pancreatitis Doug had in 2010. No signs of active pancreatitis. No major abnormality seen! The gastroenterologist said he could not explain Doug's elevated bilirubin level, or the weight loss. He recommended a repeat regular ultrasound in a month, and labwork including a CA 19-9. He did take one biopsy in the stomach, where he saw some gastritis; the biopsy is to check for H. pylori, a bacteria that can cause an ulcer.

The sedation this time was Propofol - yes, the drug that Michael Jackson was taking. They have gone to this instead of using Versed because the recovery time is so much faster. It does require having an anesthesiologist to monitor. We were impressed with the entire team at Penrose.

We also saw the cardiologist last Monday, because of Doug's continuing low blood pressure. He cut the dose of the Coreg in half. He noted that Doug has lost 30 pounds since last year, so now he does not require the higher dose.

The unexplained weight loss is still troubling, but if he can maintain this weight, I will be happy. No more 'Budda belly'!

For now we will just enjoy life in the slow lane.

Blessings to all.

Neck Pain - not cancer

Last Monday morning Doug woke up with neck pain, hurting but tolerable. The next day, Tuesday, he took his Dexamethasone (steroid) - no neck pain. No pain Wed. Thursday (when the Dex wore off), the pain returned with a vengeance. He took a muscle relaxer, which did not do much. Thursday evening he finally took Oxycodone (a fairly potent pain med); that helped some, but it still hurt. More Oxy during the night. I started thinking - what if this is the myeloma acting up? What if this is a pathological fracture? I had these thoughts even though the myeloma numbers look good right now. (Remember back to last fall when everyone thought Doug's hip pain was 'just arthritis'?)

So this morning we called and got in to see our most excellent nurse practitioner. She listened carefully (I love that about her), examined Doug, and said she thought it was 'torticollis' - basically a severe muscle spasm. But she said "since it's Doug, I'm going to order x-rays of his neck to rule out anything going on in the bone."  She showed us the x-rays (I am a retired radiation therapist and am used to looking at x-rays) and we could see lots of arthritis but no obvious lesions. She will send them to be read by the radiologist, but it really looks like we dodged the bullet this time. She recommended he stop the muscle relaxant and the Oxycodone since it wasn't doing much, and start taking lorazepam (generic Ativan) 3 or 4 times a day instead. Right now he is relaxed enough to take a nap - good!

When we got home I was surprised to find how tired I felt. Of course - I was all geared up for battle, ready for another course of radiation therapy, etc. Rationally, I shouldn't have been, but my emotions responded. Crisis averted, whew, I slumped.

This coming Monday, we are going to Colorado Springs to the cardiologist, to get Doug's heart meds adjusted. His blood pressure is still lower than it should be, resulting in some dizziness. This coming Thursday, we drive back to the Springs for Doug's endoscopic ultrasound.

Here's a tip that I hope might help someone - you can make an easy muscle warmer by putting two pounds (or a little less) of raw rice in a tube sock. Tie the end shut and heat in microwave for one minute, give or take. Easy, cheap and works like a charm.

On this Good Friday, I am humbled and awed by how much God loves us.

Blessings to all.