Doug has been on the lower dose of Revlimid for one week, and his fatigue is lifting a bit. He's not a ball of fire, but he is interested in doing more. He took the garbage out to the curb, is walking to the mailbox (not far) and is puttering around the house more. Not a dramatic change, but noticeable. We are very thankful!
We did stay home for Easter; our church live streams the services so we were able to watch it. Jesus is risen! Hallelujah!
Yesterday we took a drive up toward Cottonwood Pass. We saw several Bighorn sheep! They were fairly close to the road so we got a good look. Such magnificent animals! One was a big ram. Unfortunately there was no place to pull off the road to take a photo, but it's something to remember.
Further on and higher up, we almost got stuck in a big patch of slush/snow. It looked passable and we have four wheel drive, but we had no traction. I had a bit of a hard time getting turned around but it was worth it.
Tomorrow is Doug's day off infusion now that he is on every other week. He still has a ton of pills to take.
Love to all.
Today's verse:
"The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with Joy." Psalm 126:3
Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
Infusion #9
Today Doug's blood counts were much better, and he gained three pounds! His fatigue lessened too.
It's amazing how much difference one week off treatment can make.
Labs:
WBC 3.7
HGB 11.7
PLT 199
ANC 2.0
So Doug got his Dara infusion, (with all the pre-meds too) and he got the go-ahead from the oncologist to go back on the Revlimid pill, at a lower dose of 10 mg. He started at 25 mg, then it was lowered to 15 mg, now he is at 10. Hopefully he will be able to tolerate that dose.
The lambda light chains have gone up, kappa has gone down and the ratio is low. Only myeloma nerds will know what I'm talking about, but that's not good news. For the first two months of this treatment, the light chains dropped to a normal range. That meant the treatment was effective.
Rising light chains could mean the cancer cells are active again.
The local oncologist called Dr. M, the Denver myeloma specialist to find out how he wants to handle that. Dr. M does not get upset; he said a small rise can happen - don't worry about it yet, just stay the course and watch it. At the next infusion in two weeks, they will draw blood for another myeloma panel.
We will try to enjoy our latest "normal" for two weeks. I'm hoping Doug will be able to get out more.
It was a good day, but still tiring, in clinic for five hours. We are invited to our kids in Denver for Easter, but honestly, we are both bordering on exhausted. A two hour drive each way seems daunting right now. So much as I would love to see everyone, I think we will stay home.
I'm thanking God for keeping the caregiver strong and healthy to take care of Doug. I'd better pray for energy and stamina too!
Love to all.
It's amazing how much difference one week off treatment can make.
Labs:
WBC 3.7
HGB 11.7
PLT 199
ANC 2.0
So Doug got his Dara infusion, (with all the pre-meds too) and he got the go-ahead from the oncologist to go back on the Revlimid pill, at a lower dose of 10 mg. He started at 25 mg, then it was lowered to 15 mg, now he is at 10. Hopefully he will be able to tolerate that dose.
The lambda light chains have gone up, kappa has gone down and the ratio is low. Only myeloma nerds will know what I'm talking about, but that's not good news. For the first two months of this treatment, the light chains dropped to a normal range. That meant the treatment was effective.
Rising light chains could mean the cancer cells are active again.
The local oncologist called Dr. M, the Denver myeloma specialist to find out how he wants to handle that. Dr. M does not get upset; he said a small rise can happen - don't worry about it yet, just stay the course and watch it. At the next infusion in two weeks, they will draw blood for another myeloma panel.
We will try to enjoy our latest "normal" for two weeks. I'm hoping Doug will be able to get out more.
It was a good day, but still tiring, in clinic for five hours. We are invited to our kids in Denver for Easter, but honestly, we are both bordering on exhausted. A two hour drive each way seems daunting right now. So much as I would love to see everyone, I think we will stay home.
I'm thanking God for keeping the caregiver strong and healthy to take care of Doug. I'd better pray for energy and stamina too!
Love to all.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Hold Treatment - low counts, weight loss
Doug had last week off from the infusion drug Daratumumab (dara) according to the treatment protocol, but he still took his oral drugs Revlimid and dexamethasone. His fatigue did not improve; so that points to the Revlimid as cause of the fatigue. Today was supposed to be infusion day - but his counts were low, fatigue still very much present, and he lost more weight - he was down to 148 pounds today; two weeks ago it was 152. January 17 he weighed 164.
So with all those factors combined, the oncologist decided to hold treatment - give him another week off the dara and temporarily stop the Revlimid until the fatigue lessens. Then the Rev will restart at a lower dose. He will keep taking the dex weekly. We go back next week.
Today his blood counts were:
WBC 1.9
HGB 11.8
PLT 105
ANC 1.0
We got results of the most recent myeloma panel blood test. This shows what the light chains (cancer markers) are doing. The last two months they were all within normal limits. Now the Lambda light chains are rising. Not the direction we want them to go!
Doug has been eating but he doesn't want large amounts. He is trying to do snacks between meals.
This part of our cancer journey is getting a bit bumpier. Lots of twists and turns on the road ahead. We cherish all our friends who so faithfully pray for us.
Today's verse is part of the lyrics of a song we heard in church recently:
Jesus draw me ever nearer,
As I labor through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
So with all those factors combined, the oncologist decided to hold treatment - give him another week off the dara and temporarily stop the Revlimid until the fatigue lessens. Then the Rev will restart at a lower dose. He will keep taking the dex weekly. We go back next week.
Today his blood counts were:
WBC 1.9
HGB 11.8
PLT 105
ANC 1.0
We got results of the most recent myeloma panel blood test. This shows what the light chains (cancer markers) are doing. The last two months they were all within normal limits. Now the Lambda light chains are rising. Not the direction we want them to go!
Doug has been eating but he doesn't want large amounts. He is trying to do snacks between meals.
This part of our cancer journey is getting a bit bumpier. Lots of twists and turns on the road ahead. We cherish all our friends who so faithfully pray for us.
Today's verse is part of the lyrics of a song we heard in church recently:
Jesus draw me ever nearer,
As I labor through the storm.
You have called me to this passage,
and I'll follow, though I'm worn.
May this journey bring a blessing,
May I rise on wings of faith;
And at the end of my heart's testing,
With Your likeness let me wake.
Jesus guide me through the tempest;
Keep my spirit staid and sure.
When the midnight meets the morning,
Let me love You even more.
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