Living and Dying with Multiple Myeloma (and other cancers)
I’m about half way through series three, about eight weeks on chemo. It is beginning to wear; I’ve left work early a couple times, just very tired. I should be modifying performance curves for segments of pavement, but it’s becoming difficult to concentrate.
The items on my short list of symptoms so far have politely taken turns, one at a time temporarily taking position at the top of the list. The doctors say I look good and my blood looks good, so we continue.
One more infusion will get me to the free week of series two, except that it’s no longer free. It will be free from shots, but since I’m tolerating the meds well, I’m instructed to continue the thalidomide through the free weeks.
The self administered shots leave red patches on my stomach. They’re starting to resemble a camouflage pattern but I suppose its really chemouflage.
The needle is actually short and small. I told the nurse she could stand at the edge of the carpet in the Chemo lounge, and I would stand by my chair and hold my shirt up. She could test her skill and toss it like a dart. Liability is such a big wet blanket that spoils so much fun.
I just got home from my second Chemo treatment. In official Chemo Lingo, that would be Day 4 / Treatment 2. So far, any effects I’m feeling have been very minor and fleeting (but hopefully the good effects are going on inside like they are supposed to).
Day 1 / Treatment 1 was Monday, February 25th. It was a longer stay, including an IV and a visit to the Chemo Lounge. If all goes well, I can avoid having IV’s or a port, and get my Velcade shots sub-cue. That’s a polite medical term for sticking a needle in a handful of flab, subcutaneous.
After the hospital visit (and every evening of the two “on weeks”) I go home and take about 15 pills. One is the other main component of my Chemo, the Thalidomide pill, plus a hand full of small steroid pills, and some other assorted pills, some I take daily anyway.
This will go on for three cycles of two weeks on and one week off. At the end of those cycles, I will be re-evaluated and may get another cycle or two, and then maybe a stem cell transplant.
Thank you for your prayers for Diane and me, for all the kindness, and for asking how we are doing. A lot of folks are very private about their medical concerns, I probably talk too freely about mine, but blessings have come from that.
You and others telling me you are praying are blessings; some were very unexpected. One said they don’t normally pray, but they are praying for me. That fills my heart with hope.
Last Saturday, Diane and I were invited to our friend’s house for dinner. It turned out it was a surprise party for me, a show of support before I venture off into the world of chemotherapy.
The house was nearly full of kids. Well, when I met them they were kids. Now, many of them have kids of their own. Almost everyone there had been in a high school or middle school youth group when I had been a helper or leader. I always thought some sort of reunion would be amazing.
Mike, I understand it was your idea. Nathan, I’m told you were in on it from the start. Marika and Addie, I know you had a lot to do with making it happen. Thank you. You could not have done a nicer thing for me. I don’t know how to express this better. It was the nicest thing. It was awesome to greet and hug everyone. I miss my friends and the time we shared in the youth group.
I had to tell everyone that my treatments were postponed one week due to an issue with my insurance company. My oncologist planned on using Velcade and Revlimid, a combination she has used for Multiple Myeloma patients many times, but apparently not with patients who have the same insurance company I have.
The letter I received disallowing prior authorization of Revlimid said in part, “Our doctors and pharmacists study the safety and effectiveness of drugs to help you choose those with the best overall value,” and ended with, “Please let us know if we can be of further assistance to you.”
So, my treatments begin Monday with Velcade and Thalomid (Thalidomide). I’m hoping one of them will knock out this cold and ear infection.