PET/CT scan

Today Doug had a PET/CT whole body scan done at PLS in Denver. The scan was finished by 10:00 a.m. and we stayed around for Doug's appointment with Dr. Matous at 1:00. Hospital cafeteria food for lunch, yum. Actually it wasn't bad.
Dr. Matous is the oncologist who specializes in myeloma.

The previous PET scan was on 8-5-19. Usually there is a year between scans, but Dr. Matous said he wanted one now "because more information is better with you. Your myeloma throws curve balls."
Doug's light chains (cancer markers) have been zigzagging up and down over the last year, but there is a definite trend upward. Upward is bad. So Dr. M is keeping a close eye on Doug.

The scan report today showed no new bone lesions, but many old ones. No new bone lesions is good!
However, there is a puzzling thing: An area in Doug's left thigh 'lights up' on the scan. It was there on the previous scan but now the report says: "Worsening uptake in the proximal left quadriceps muscle." This is not in bone. It does not look like a plasmacytoma (soft tissue myeloma lump). Dr. M cannot feel it on exam and Doug does not have pain in the area. So both Dr. M and the radiologist are puzzled by it. Doug is supposed to let the docs know if he develops any sensation or problem in the left thigh.
He did tell Dr. Matous that his left upper leg has not had a good range of movement for several years. Doug has had radiation treatment in his left hip area but not down into the mid or lower thigh that lights up on the scan.

Dr Matous asked if Doug had noticed any changes in his overall well being. His weight has stabilized and was 157 today. Doug couldn't think of anything - but I said that I have noticed a gradual generalized weakness in him over the last few months.
Dr. M said that patients who have been on chemo long term do get weaker if they don't stay active. Dr. M told Doug the two top things he needs to do are:
1. Exercise - keep moving!
2. Keep his weight up.

Matous wants to see Doug in three months. Dr Arrambide in Salida will see Doug once a month.
Doug is to keep on the present treatment of Dara infusions every two weeks and Pom/dex by pill.
Dr. M reminded us that he does have a plan if Doug needs to change treatment any time soon. He has plans A, B, and C.

Today's drive was okay. We did have a little snow going home, and some blowing snow north of Fairplay, but not too bad. I could sense God's angels helping me drive.

Love to all.

Today's prayer is from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

"Come to Me with all your weaknesses: physical, emotional, and spiritual. Rest in the comfort of My Presence, remembering that nothing is impossible with Me. 
Pry your mind away from your problems so you can focus your attention on Me. Recall that I am able to do immeasurably more than all you ask or imagine. Instead of trying to direct Me to do this and that, seek to attune yourself to what I am already doing. 
When anxiety attempts to wedge its way into your thoughts, remind yourself that I am your Shepherd. The bottom line is that I am taking care of you; therefore, you needn't be afraid of anything." 

Infusion day, cough/cold

Doug has a cold with bad cough, but no fever.  He saw our NP last week - She did the nasal swab test for flu and it was negative. She said that test is not always accurate. She thought his cough sounded like it could be low grade type B flu and prescribed Tamiflu just in case.

He did get his chemo infusion yesterday - his nurse put him in an isolation room for the sake of the other patients. He is wearing a mask when out of the house.
Doug qualified for chemo:
WBC      2.8
HGB      12.7
PLT        261
ANC      1.3

He is very tired and has been taking a long nap every day. He is taking Mucinex DM and Tessalon for the cough. We are very thankful that he is not running a fever!

We will be seeing Dr. M, the myeloma specialist in Denver February 19, after the PET/CT scan. It will be a long day. We have not decided if we will drive up and back the same day, or stay over. A lot depends on the weather.

Love to all.

The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. 
Deuteronomy 33:27