Radiation

Several people have inquired about the radiation that I receive for cancer lesions.

I have just started my second round of radiation. The first time was for a spot on my back. This time it is for lesions on a left rib. I receive radiation from the front for one lesion and from the back for the other. The type of radiation I receive isn't/hasn't been painful at all. As a matter of fact, after a few treatments the paid from the lesions begins to ease. Each "shot" takes about 30-40 seconds. It takes me much longer to get my shirt off and get on the table than it does for both "shots" combined.

I am fortunate that the @Kansas City Cancer Center has the type of equipment that I can lie on my back, have x-rays and have both "shots" (front and back) without moving. The machine does all the moving around me to get to the lesions.

During all the treatments that I have had since diagnosis the only thing that has been painful was during the actual stem cell transplants (my own stem cells). Prior to the transplant I received "high dose chemo." It kills all the fast growing cells like hair follicles and the cells in the mouth and esophagus. As a result you lose your hair and develop sores in your mouth and esophagus. The sores are awful! They hurt! They hurt when you breath or swallow. Pain pills only knock you out and you are still aware your mouth and esophagus is hurting. The only thing that helps is gargling salt water about 3 dozen time each day until they go away which takes 3 days to a week (or longer if you don't gargle).

Just thought I would share some of the information with you. Thank each of you for all the prayers you send my way.

Health update 07.15.2009

My blood counts had not improved in the past two weeks, but they decided I could go ahead with the Revlimid but I can take it for only 14 days instead of the usual 21 days. After 14 days on the drug I will then be off of it for 14 days. After that I will go back on at a dosage of less than half what I'm taking now. I don't know yet how the cycle will be structured... 14 or 21 days.

One of the blood counts that is too low is the absolute neutrophils which has to do with my immunities. They expect that I will become neutropenic which simply means I will be more subject to disease and infection. I will have to be much more careful about being around people that are ill.

Health update 07.08.2009

It has been 5 years, today, since my diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. By the way, today is also my Mom's birthday... Happy Birthday, Mom!

Considering the anniversary I guess it was an appropriate way to spend most of the day. I reported to Kansas City Cancer Center at 12:30 for blood tests. At 1:00 I met with the nurse practitioner to get the results of the blood tests. At 1:30 I reported to the treatment room. At 2:00 the nurse started my two hour IV of Aredia to strengthen my bones.

It was kind of a mixed bag today. My blood counts were good enough to get the treatment for my bones but not good enough to start my next cycle of cancer medication (Revlimid) tomorrow. My absolute neutrophils (basically my immunities) were too low. I was at 1.1 and in order to take the Revlimid it has to be at least 1.5.

I will have to go back next week for more blood tests and they will determine if I can start the Revlimid cycle next week. They suspect that my magnesium and potassium are low so they will be checking those, too

Health update 7.02.09

I saw the oncologist this morning. Some of my blood counts were down and some of the tests had not come back yet. I go again next Wednesday for more blood tests and, if they look okay, I'll have the Aredia treatment for my bones.

Health update 5.13.2009

I got the Aredia IV for strengthening my bones. It takes about 2 hours. The blood tests all look pretty good. Although I haven't achieved remission I have hit a plateau so our new strategy is to maintain the plateau. I will continue on the Revlimid as long as I can tolerate it or until it quits working to reduce the cancer/maintaining the plateau.

I do get to quit the steroid and the coumadin immediately. Yea! The steroid messes up my blood sugar for a couple of days. All & all it was a good report.

Health update 5.6.2009

Just went for blood test and they all looked pretty good. Most are going in the right direction. Next week I actually see the oncologist and get his opinion as to how it looks.

Health check 4/29/2009

The oncologist check yesterday was a fairly non-event. All the blood
counts are still going in the correct direction. No changes in
medication were necessary.

I was having a spell of light-headedness while there. My blood
pressure was pretty low, for me, so they think that was accounting for
the light-headedness.

Sent from my iPod

Health update 4/1/2009

Had the usual blood tests yesterday, CBC and COAG, and then saw the nurse practitioner. The CBC was all good. The COAG, blood thickness, was at the bottom of where they want it so we adjusted the coumadin again.

Next week I have the full range of blood tests in preparation of seeing the oncologist the following week.

health update 3/25/2009

It was a quick check at the oncologist's this week. The only blood
test was a COAG to check the thickness of the blood. It was back to
the level they want it.

Sent from my iPod

Oncologist 3/18/2009

I am away so this is a remote post.

It was kind of a mixed bag this time.

Most of my blood work looked good. The myeloma indicator, IGG, was at
the same point as last month, .3. I didn't achieve remission but the
cancer isn't growing so that is still good news. I will continue on
the current regime of Revlimid until I am receiving no benefit.

The blood thinness/thickness indicator, INR or COAG, was at 4 so my
blood is too thin. My dosage of Coumadin will very over the next week
to attempt to get the blood slightly thicker.

I will have the usual blood work plus the COAG and see the Nurse
Practitioner again next Wednesday.

Sent from my iPod

blood tests 3/11/2009

Today's blood tests looked pretty good. I got a copy of the tests from two weeks ago (when I had the stomach virus) and they weren't that great. Everything seemed back in line this time.

Next week I will see the oncologist and have a few extra blood tests to see how I am progressing toward remission.

Health update, 2/18/2009

Yesterday's oncologist visit was good. Although I did not achieve remission all my blood work is still improving. One of the critical indicators, the monoclonal proteins, which was .4 last month had dropped to .3 this month. This is good; it indicates the myeloma is decreasing.

I had a bone density test early yesterday morning, but the results was not available prior to the oncologist appointment. If it shows any thinning of the bones I will start on the Aredia drip again for a few months to try to build them back up and halt the deterioration. Hopefully, it will show no deterioration.

I have a couple of appointments over the next three weeks but I see the oncologist again on March 18.

Health check 2/11/2009

I had blood tests and saw the Nurse Practioner today. Everything is still doing good and, generally, the numbers are still going in the right direction.

I will see the Oncologist next week and have some more extensive blood tests. I will also have a bone density test to verify that I'm not developing osteoporosis. The use of the steroid can cause the development of it.

Health Update 1/21/09

Had lab work done and say the oncologist yesterday. It was all good news!

The monoclonal proteins which measures the myeloma went from "1.0" last month to "0.4" yesterday. That is excellent news meaning the myeloma is disappearing and I am nearing remission.

Although multiple myeloma is not curable it is treatable. When remission is achieved the myeloma disappears, even at though at some point it will return. The doctors call remission "complete remission" because of the disappearance of the disease.

God is good, God is Great. Please continue to pray for my remission.

Living with cancer

"Sadly, many people get their happiness only from outward circumstances. As long as their lives are untroubled, they feel happy. But illness strikes, or a relationship breaks down, or any of a thousand other unexpected trouble engulf them, then happiness flees." Hope for Each Day Words of Wisdom and Faith by Billy Graham

Job 2:10 "...Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"...

Aren't both of these quotes so true? Is it just "nature?" Is it lack of faith?

Some people have commented that I have a good attitude about living with terminal cancer. It isn't always easy and the attitude isn't always good. There are always good days and bad, both physically and mentally. But I try to take comfort in the fact that I have a wonderful caring family and great doctors that know the science. Most importantly, I know I have a God that takes cares of me, loves me, and will never hand me more than I can handle.

With my wife's positive attitude and assistance, I decided bitterness wasn't going to help my situation and certainly wasn't going to improve my health. Too many people with terminal diseases cling to the bitterness and, in my opinion, make their health worse.

My suggestion turn loose of the bitterness, turn to loved ones, and believe and have faith in the Lord that created us.

New Year's Eve Health Check

I had blood work done and saw the nurse practitioner yesterday. All of my blood counts are going in the right directions including the blood coagulation test. It was exactly where it needs to be. Hooray!!

The nurse practitioner even said that she thinks I am headed for remission again! Hooray!!

Isn't God great?

Oncologist 12/18/08

Went to the oncologist yesterday for my check. All of my blood counts are doing what they are supposed to except the blood coagulation. The IGG and monoclonal proteins that reflect the amount of cancer are both downs. The medication is working!!

I'm on rest until Wednesday from the Revlimid regime. I do 21 days on and 7 days off. Christmas Eve I will start the Revlimid again. Maybe the side effects won't get started until after Christmas.

God is Good!

Oncologist visit 12/12

Went to the oncologist yesterday. Blood counts were looking good overall. The INR (measures blood coagulation) still was not where it needs to be so we increased by coumadin again.

My absolute neutrophils (immunity) had gone down. This means my immunity to contagions is decreasing, so be careful about coming around me if you are ill. This isn't an unexpected change. It indicates that the Revlimid is working.

My next appointment is Thursday. At that time I will be on my first 7 day rest period from the Revlimid but we will decided whether to continue to the second 21 day cycle of Revlimid.

Oncologist 12/5/2008

Friday was my weekly visit to the oncologist primarily to check my blood counts. The primary new medication I'm taking can cause blood clots so I'm taking coumadin to thin my blood.

My blood is getting thinner but still isn't as thin as needed so they increased the amount of coumadin I'm taking. Last week the INR (coagulation indicator) was 1. Friday it was 1.3. The goal is between 2 and 3.

All in all it was a pretty uneventful doctor appointment.

I'm feeling pretty good most of the time. I have good day and bad, good times and bad. The biggest complaints are being tired and waking up too early in the mornings. Life is tough, huh!

Health Update 9/28/08

Day 1 on the new regime was Wednesday starting with the dexamethasone (steroid). My blood sugar immediately took off for the high(er) ground. The blood sugar was high Wednesday and Thursday (Thanksgiving) then yesterday and, so far, today they have actually been normal... not normal for me but normal for normal people. It's so confusing! Anyway, I take the dexamethasone every seven days during the cycle.

I also started the coumadin and Revlimid on Wednesday. Since the Revlimid can cause blood clots I have to take the coumadin to keep my blood thin. I go in every week to have my blood checked. This week, it was a little early since I had only been on the regime for three days, but next week will be a full blood test.

Other than being extremely tired and pretty emotional I have been doing well.

Hope you all had a great Thanksgiving; I did!