I haven't posted lately - apologies to all who check this blog. But you really can tell things are going along okay when I don't post. Doug is doing okay but I thought it was time to update!
We went to Denver two days ago for the usual checkup. Dr. M is very pleased that Doug is doing so well on Pomalyst. He said he wishes he had a way of knowing ahead of time which drug will perform best for each patient - before putting them on a new drug. Right now it is basically a matter of trying a drug; then if the drug doesn't work or causes adverse side effects, switching to a different drug. He would have bypassed Velcade (caused peripheral neuropathy in Doug) and gone right to Pomalyst which is effective and Doug is tolerating so well. The good part is there are quite a few drugs now available. And trials have shown which combinations of drugs (that were used alone when they first came out) are superior. Maybe in the future there will be a way of knowing which is best for each individual, before putting a person on a regime. Anyway, the future is a lot brighter for myeloma patients than it was back in 2008!
Pharmaceutical companies love to develop drugs that do not cure, but must be taken long term to prolong survival. I don't think cures are as good financially for the shareholders. Don't mean to sound like sour grapes -- we have SO much to be thankful for. Dr. M did mention that many of the myeloma drugs are less expensive in other countries.
Because Doug is doing well, with this remission so far at 1.5 years, he is tapering Doug off the prednisone. He explained it has to be done slowly, as the pred supresses the adrenal glands. Now the adrenals need time to "wake up" and get to work again. By June, Doug will be completely off pred.
The main reason the doc is taking Doug off pred is because it is affecting his blood sugar more. The latest A1C was 7.9 which is too high. Also, pred can affect vision, and Doug's vision problems are gradually getting worse.
Doug will continue Pomalyst at 1 mg a day.
Doug asked Dr. M if it is okay to take curcumin. He said yes, to go ahead. There is some evidence that shows curcumin may benefit myeloma patients, as well as help with arthritis and other conditions. Doug's left hip continues to cause pain and prevent him from walking as much as he should. This is the hip that had radiation in 2011 and now shows arthritis damage from that.
We had a good visit with our son, daughter in law, and grandkids before heading home.
Praise God, He has been so faithful to us. And we will trust in Him no matter what.
Love to all.
P.S. The best book I've read recently is The Broken Way by Ann Voskamp. So good.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
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