Back Pain

For the past couple of weeks Doug has had back pain. He didn't tell me at first, so I'm not sure when it started. The oncology specialist ordered a PET/CT scan which was done December 16. It didn't show anything new. The pain is in his lower back/hips, more so on the right side. At times it radiates down his right leg. Since the scan didn't show anything, all concerned are assuming it is not the cancer acting up. Most days he has been feeling well enough to go out and do things. At night, when lying down it gets pretty bad. He is really getting sleep deprived. We have an appointment with an orthopedist January 5.
The oncologist wrote Doug a prescription for Vicodin, but Doug says it doesn't do much for the pain at its worst. Yesterday I finally went to a recreational marijuana shop (legal in Colorado) and got some drops for him to try, hoping it would help him sleep. It was interesting in the pot shop. The gal was very kind and seemed to know her business.
The MJ didn't work very well, but  we are going to pursue getting the doc to sign for a medical card. Medical marijuana can be sold at higher doses. We figure it can't hurt.
This morning at 7:30 Doug took a morphine pill, 30 mg, which we had left over from a previous pain episode. He hates morphine because it makes him feel so drugged. He went back to bed and I thought he would be out for a long time. Two hours later he woke up and wanted breakfast! Now he's sitting in recliner watching TV.
This pain has been up and down, on and off. There were two days he had no pain at all. It is really so unpredictable. Yesterday afternoon he had a good visit with a neighbor and walked to the corner mailbox.
I'm praying for guidance and just taking it one step at a time.

I will go to a neighbor's house for Christmas dinner today. I think Doug will stay home. Tomorrow we are supposed to go to Denver for the monthly oncology specialist appointment and to get chemo. The weather forecast isn't the best so we will re-evaluate in the morning.

Our town has heavy hearts. A baby died a week ago after being treated 3 days for pneumonia. No one has said it was the flu but I rather think it was. This morning our church sent an email asking for urgent prayers for another baby who is sick with a high temp. We can't understand why these horrible things happen.  All who know these families are just heartsick. We cry out to God but we still put our faith in Him.

Even though we don't feel much like celebrating, we rejoice in the birth of baby Jesus.

A Cold but No Fever

Doug hasn't been able to shake his cold. So a couple days ago he went to our local clinic to see our nurse practitioner. He didn't have a fever but she wrote him a prescription for antibiotics with directions not to fill the script unless he gets worse. His immunoglobulins are low so we want to keep on top of any possible infection.
The NP told us that if either of us get flu symptoms to call the clinic to get Tamaflu. If taken within three days of onset of symptoms it will stop the flu.
Doug got his chemo at the new lowered dose two days ago and this time didn't get the horrible diarrhea, so we are very glad about that.

We feel very blessed this Christmas season. Jesus is the reason for the season!

A week off chemo

The Denver specialist gave Doug a week off chemo! Yippee! And when it restarts the Velcade dose will be lowered again. Originally the Velcade was given at a dose of 1.5mg/m2. On Nov 24 it was lowered to 1.3mg/m2. Now it will be 1 mg/m2. So it will be 2/3 of the original dose. Hopefully this will greatly reduce the side effects.

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family. All five of our grandchildren were home! Three of them are in college, one in the military, and one working, so getting them all together is increasingly difficult. We really enjoyed the time together, but Doug came down with a cold two days later. He has been sleeping more. His appetite is good.

Love to all.