Doug had his appointment with the local oncologist a few days ago. Report from the myeloma panel that is done every three months shows a rise in his Lambda Light Chains. Last value was 1.54 mg/dL which was in the normal range. This time it is 3.01 - not the direction we want it to go. This is above normal (normal range is .5700 - 2.63) but not alarming yet. The oncologist says to wait the usual three months until the next test and see what that shows. If it is a definite upward trend, then it means the current chemo is not enough to control the myeloma. Doug would have to go on a different drug. The good news is, there are some new myeloma drugs out there.
When Doug relapsed in late 2011, his Lambda light chain number was a whopping 83 mg/dL.
Quality of life is still excellent. Doug looks and feels healthy, has energy and is doing a lot. His other blood counts are hanging in there pretty good.
We have done quite a few home projects this year, some hired out and some we did ourselves. Our next project is staining the new fence, and then we'll be planting some shrubs. Our new house doesn't have a lawn to maintain, so that is a relief. No mowing, only pulling weeds out of the gravel. I will be planting flowers in pots instead of big flower beds.
We haven't traveled anywhere but we are happy just being homebodies. Our old house is under contract and expected to close June 24; that will be a day to celebrate! It has been on the market a whole year. A wonderful younger couple is buying it and they are excited. A blessing is that they are already doing most of the yard work over there.
Our mountain tops still have snow (love that) but our weather is warming up finally. God is good, and we know He is faithful. Life is good.
Love to all!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Thursday, March 21, 2013
4th year SCT anniversary; FLU
Four years ago, in 2009, Doug was day 2 post stem cell transplant. We've come a long way!
Doug continues to get a CBC every month; so far his absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is holding. Last one was 1.7 which is well above the 1.0 minimum for continuing with Revlimid.
Both of us have had the gastrointestinal flu - I was first and hoping Doug would not get it. Nasty stuff. But he did get it 5 days ago. It hit him pretty hard but he is making a good, but slow, recovery. He is finally eating solid food. We are so thankful that his immune system is capable of fighting!
I have developed an eye problem - "macular pucker" - which makes it difficult for me to work on the computer. Hopefully there will be nothing to report for a while on the myeloma front. I go to see a retinal specialist in Colorado Springs tomorrow (a friend is driving).
Spring is here! So far today we have had snow, rain/snow, sunshine. The weather is confused. We are glad of any bit of moisture, so no complaining.
Love to all.
Doug continues to get a CBC every month; so far his absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is holding. Last one was 1.7 which is well above the 1.0 minimum for continuing with Revlimid.
Both of us have had the gastrointestinal flu - I was first and hoping Doug would not get it. Nasty stuff. But he did get it 5 days ago. It hit him pretty hard but he is making a good, but slow, recovery. He is finally eating solid food. We are so thankful that his immune system is capable of fighting!
I have developed an eye problem - "macular pucker" - which makes it difficult for me to work on the computer. Hopefully there will be nothing to report for a while on the myeloma front. I go to see a retinal specialist in Colorado Springs tomorrow (a friend is driving).
Spring is here! So far today we have had snow, rain/snow, sunshine. The weather is confused. We are glad of any bit of moisture, so no complaining.
Love to all.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Remission II still holding
Doug is still in remission! His Lambda light chains are within normal limits.
He relapsed in November 2011, and went into his second remission in January 2012. So it has been a whole year of remission! Wow.
He still gets Zometa every 3 months for bone strength, since he has known bone lesions. His ANC was 1.9 last week, which is good for him, so he can stay on the Revlimid 5 mg every other day. He will only need a blood draw every 3 months; that is good news for his veins. He will get the Zometa and a CBC and the MM panel in one needle stick.
We have been living a normal lifestyle - that seems amazing to me.
The oncologist said that if Doug has any fevers, he will need a CBC blood test to make sure he has enough white cells to fight infection.
So far we have both evaded the flu, which is a huge blessing.
I can almost forget that my husband has cancer. Almost, but not quite. It is lurking in the background, but we don't focus on it. We trust in God.
Love to all.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
He relapsed in November 2011, and went into his second remission in January 2012. So it has been a whole year of remission! Wow.
He still gets Zometa every 3 months for bone strength, since he has known bone lesions. His ANC was 1.9 last week, which is good for him, so he can stay on the Revlimid 5 mg every other day. He will only need a blood draw every 3 months; that is good news for his veins. He will get the Zometa and a CBC and the MM panel in one needle stick.
We have been living a normal lifestyle - that seems amazing to me.
The oncologist said that if Doug has any fevers, he will need a CBC blood test to make sure he has enough white cells to fight infection.
So far we have both evaded the flu, which is a huge blessing.
I can almost forget that my husband has cancer. Almost, but not quite. It is lurking in the background, but we don't focus on it. We trust in God.
Love to all.
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
All is well
Today Doug had his Zometa infusion. Before giving it, the nurse has to draw blood, and the oncologist has to approve the counts. The nurse had a little trouble with the blood draw but she finally got it. The lab report came back - Doug's Creatinine was 1.5 and it is supposed to be under 1.4 for him to get the Zometa. But the oncologist said it was okay to proceed.
Doug's ANC was 1.9 today. Still low, but last time it was 1.4, so this 1.9 looked great to us. The Revlimid 5 mg every other day is working.
So three hours later, we were headed home.
The nurse drew extra blood today for the MM panel, which goes to Mayo. We'll get that result next week.
Doug has been feeling good. We have both escaped the flu so far. We made a quick trip to Nebraska last week for a funeral, and saw Doug's mom while we were there. Thankfully, she is doing okay.
So no drama here, just smooth sailing for now. This part of our myeloma journey is like driving on the interstate; no unexpected turns, no bumpy roads. We are so blessed.
God bless you all.
Doug's ANC was 1.9 today. Still low, but last time it was 1.4, so this 1.9 looked great to us. The Revlimid 5 mg every other day is working.
So three hours later, we were headed home.
The nurse drew extra blood today for the MM panel, which goes to Mayo. We'll get that result next week.
Doug has been feeling good. We have both escaped the flu so far. We made a quick trip to Nebraska last week for a funeral, and saw Doug's mom while we were there. Thankfully, she is doing okay.
So no drama here, just smooth sailing for now. This part of our myeloma journey is like driving on the interstate; no unexpected turns, no bumpy roads. We are so blessed.
God bless you all.
Monday, December 31, 2012
2012 Review
Wow - another year ends. Time really does pass quickly. We had a few medical adventures in 2012 but all in all, it was a good year.
Here are the highlights:
We had a wonderful Christmas in Denver with lots of extended family. All five grandchildren were home - a precious time as they grow older. The oldest grandson has already flown the nest - he is in the Air Force and studying Farsi at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey CA. The next oldest is in his first year of college. The youngest three are still in high school.
We enjoyed great food; our daughter in law is a terrific cook. Then most of us gathered to play a fun game called "Bubble Talk". It was a really good time - we were so glad to be there.
We are staying home tonight on New Years Eve. We'll have a nice relaxing time and doubt we will stay up until midnight!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, and Peace for the coming year!
Here are the highlights:
- Doug achieved a second remission
- We sold our 5th wheel in Texas
- Doug's endoscopic ultrasound was negative for pancreatic problems
- Doug went on maintenance chemo
- We moved to a new house
- Our buyers for the old house broke their contract (we still are trying to sell it.)
- Doug had radiation therapy twice for hip pain
- Hip pain finally resolved
- Doug had a heart stent put in
- We sold our Texas RV lot
- White blood counts wavered a lot - seem to be finally stabilizing at a 'new normal'
- He caught a cold and recovered from it - yeah, a working immune system!
- Doug had successful eye surgery for glaucoma
- We sold our truck camper
We had a wonderful Christmas in Denver with lots of extended family. All five grandchildren were home - a precious time as they grow older. The oldest grandson has already flown the nest - he is in the Air Force and studying Farsi at the Defense Language Institute in Monterrey CA. The next oldest is in his first year of college. The youngest three are still in high school.
We enjoyed great food; our daughter in law is a terrific cook. Then most of us gathered to play a fun game called "Bubble Talk". It was a really good time - we were so glad to be there.
We are staying home tonight on New Years Eve. We'll have a nice relaxing time and doubt we will stay up until midnight!
HAPPY NEW YEAR to all, and Peace for the coming year!
"Fulfillment
cannot be attained by seeking and grasping, but by surrendering and breathing
right now, in the present." Karen M. Wyatt, M.D. from WHAT REALLY MATTERS
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
ANC up a bit
Doug has an upper respiratory infection with bad cough. It came on over the weekend. Thankfully, he got a spot on the clinic schedule yesterday. Our favorite nurse practitioner started him on antibiotics and a strong cough syrup. He does not have a fever and his lungs are clear. Could be a lot worse.
We went today for Doug's CBC. Results are good - his ANC is up to 1.7 (last time was 1.4). Looks like his body is mounting a response to the cold. Very encouraging. And his next blood draw will be in four weeks instead of two - yea!
Our weather has been very cold with some high winds, so we have mostly been homebodies lately. We have not got much snow at all - just enough to broom off the walks. If we do get snow, I doubt anyone will complain - we sure need the moisture.
Love to all.
We went today for Doug's CBC. Results are good - his ANC is up to 1.7 (last time was 1.4). Looks like his body is mounting a response to the cold. Very encouraging. And his next blood draw will be in four weeks instead of two - yea!
Our weather has been very cold with some high winds, so we have mostly been homebodies lately. We have not got much snow at all - just enough to broom off the walks. If we do get snow, I doubt anyone will complain - we sure need the moisture.
Love to all.
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Doing Okay
Doug had a blood draw today and then an appointment with the local oncologist. His ANC is 1.4; low but still within the tolerance set by the Denver specialist. Doug is feeling good and has even gained weight.
The phlebotomist has been having trouble finding a vein to draw from lately. If Doug was having frequent infusions, it might make sense to have a port implanted. But the maintenance Revlimid is a pill, and the Zometa infusion is at three month intervals. Currently the blood draws will be done every two weeks.
So since a port would have a possible side effect of a clot forming, it doesn't seem like a good idea right now. The oncologist recommended that Doug lift free weights! We had not thought of that, but it makes sense - that would increase the blood flow in the arms and might create a demand for more (better?) veins. Anyway, it can't hurt. I have 5 lb. weights he can use for now. Exercise is good.
We had a quiet Thanksgiving but it was enjoyable. We usually go to an extended family get-together for Thanksgiving. Lots of people, lots of great food. This year we decided to stay home and avoid kid germs. Doug and I got outside for a walk in nature. Earlier in the week we had a wonderful pre-holiday turkey dinner with friends.
The flu season is here. We know several people who have come down with flu. We are being careful but still going out. Germ-x is our friend; we carry a small bottle with us always.
God is good.
Love to all.
The phlebotomist has been having trouble finding a vein to draw from lately. If Doug was having frequent infusions, it might make sense to have a port implanted. But the maintenance Revlimid is a pill, and the Zometa infusion is at three month intervals. Currently the blood draws will be done every two weeks.
So since a port would have a possible side effect of a clot forming, it doesn't seem like a good idea right now. The oncologist recommended that Doug lift free weights! We had not thought of that, but it makes sense - that would increase the blood flow in the arms and might create a demand for more (better?) veins. Anyway, it can't hurt. I have 5 lb. weights he can use for now. Exercise is good.
We had a quiet Thanksgiving but it was enjoyable. We usually go to an extended family get-together for Thanksgiving. Lots of people, lots of great food. This year we decided to stay home and avoid kid germs. Doug and I got outside for a walk in nature. Earlier in the week we had a wonderful pre-holiday turkey dinner with friends.
The flu season is here. We know several people who have come down with flu. We are being careful but still going out. Germ-x is our friend; we carry a small bottle with us always.
God is good.
Love to all.
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