I don't have any good news to report. We might be facing another detour on our myeloma journey. The docs track Doug's light chains to monitor his myeloma, and the kappa/lambda ratio has been low. The latest blood draw on July 9 showed the ratio dropping almost by half. That's a sign the present treatment isn't working anymore. No one has actually said that to us - yet.
We will go to Denver to see the multiple myeloma specialist tomorrow. We know there are other treatments available, all with side effects though.
Doug now has "profound hypogammaglobulinemia". This long word means there is a reduction in all types of gamma globulins, including antibodies that help fight infection.
People with hypogammaglobulinemia can more easily catch pneumonia and other infections that a healthy immune system would normally protect against.
We will find out tomorrow how the doc plans to handle that. Our chemo nurse says there is a nation-wide shortage of IVIG, and the infusion clinic can't get any. So that's not an option right now. There is a form of it that is given sub-q (by injection into the belly).
Doug's foot fungus is back, after disappearing for a few weeks. I have a call in to the dermatologist; I'm sure Doug will need to go back on the oral prescription Lamasil, as well as the cream.
Speaking of the dermatologist, Doug has a squamous cell cancer on his right ear that has to be removed. Mohs surgery is scheduled for August 7. This will be done in Salida by the same dermatologist who did Mohs surgery on my nose. She is very good.
Doug is not feeling good most of the time but he has gone to church several times, and he rides with me in the car to run errands. He isn't eating a lot but he is trying to do better.
Our primary care nurse practitioner gave Doug a prescription for Lexapro, an anti-depressant that also helps with anxiety. The pharmacist said it might take 4 to 6 weeks before we can tell if it is helping. I'm hoping to see results sooner than that!
Doug did get the dara/rev infusion on July 11. He's been on it almost 6 months.
We are coping with all this one day at a time. And counting our blessings. There is always, always, always something to be thankful for!
Love to all.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment