Let the healing begin...

..therapy to my L hip tomorrow. Dr Goldman said waiting until mid January was not an option and he got me an appointment the next day. I had my meeting with the radiation doctor and got my markers done. I only needed one new tattoo since I already some radiation last July in the same area. Somehow I pulled a muscle over my L rib cage. It was excruciating whenever I moved and I ended up taking large amounts of pain medication and muscle relaxers. It started subsiding the day after Christmas.

My bone marrow biopsy showed a drop in plasma cells from 21% down to 6% which is good but some of the other results were not. I am stopping the chemo and will resume Revlimid after my radiation is completed. I continue to put my trust in Jesus and the wonderful doctor who's hands he placed me in.

My serum freelight results have not come down since starting on velcade. They have not gone up either. Dr Goldman decided to do a bone marrow biopsy to see how my myeloma was doing. I had it done yesterday. Prior to going to the hospital I took a pain pill and a ativan. This was by far the best BMB ever. I had a minimal amount of pain and it was over quickly. He is the best doctor ever in my opinion. I am going to get radiation therapy on my L hip as soon as I can be scheduled in. Due to Christmas and the other holidays it is looking like the middle of January unless there is a cancellation. I had a CT scan done Monday and it doesn't show any changes in my hips since last done in July which is good, but the pain in my L hip is almost constant. We are hoping the radiation eliminates the pain. I am praying for good news .

...with my velcade/doxil infusions. I will start cycle 5 of 8 next Tuesday. Everything went well at my oncologists appointment this morning. My labs all are normal except for my low platelets (58T). He is waiting for the results of my serum free light test. It usually takes several days. We are hoping the test results are lowering but if not I will need another bone marrow biopsy.
I am feeling really good so I hope my results confirm that.
My mom is back in Florida and home after a week stay in the hospital for dehydration. I feel bad about her being there by herself but I can't go there now because of my treatments. Hope she is completely better soon.

No chemo this week. I start my 2nd cycle next Tuesday. Good News for me was the medicare part B paid for all of my chemo. No co pay and it doesn't effect my medicare D drug coverage or involve the dreaded donut hole. Total cost of my velcade, doxil and the antiemetic for 1 day was $6,376.00. Now you know why I am so happy.

I had my chemo on Tuesday and today is Saturday and I never did get sick. I have been sleeping an awful lot but that's it. I am hopeful that this is the way it will be. Thank you, Jesus!!

Yesterday I had my first infusion of Velcade and Doxil along with the Zometa for my bones. This was my first Zometa since January sue to my tooth extraction. My doctor wanted to make sure my jaw was completely healed before resuming it due to chance of osteonecrosis of the jaw. I was given an IV anti emetic prior to receiving the chemo. I can't remember what it was called. Next week I will write it down, It is supposed to last 4-5 days. They used my new port for the infusion which made my nurse and I both happy. Nurses LOVE ports. It is now 23 hours since the infusion was given and so far I am fine. No nausea!! I am hoping that I can say the same thing tomorrow.
I slept the best I have slept since my back surgery last Tuesday. I am on the way back to feeling normal and it feels good.
In all things I give praise to God!!

Last Tuesday I had a vertebroplasty of my L4 and L5. I had the procedure done is special procedures by a radiologist. After the procedure was completed I went to the short stay unit for a couple of hours. I had lunch and then returned home six hours after I had first left. I have experienced quite a bit of pain in my lower back especially while trying to sleep in my bed. Each night is better than the night before and I am hoping the pain will be completely gone soon. I understood about the pain a little more when the doctor called the next day and I told him I felt like I got run over by a truck. He said well you know we had to use a hammer on your bones during the procedure. The original pain I had when I stood up is no longer there, so I know the surgery was a success.
Thursday I went to see Dr Goldman and had labs drawn through my port for the first time. That was great not having to get stuck in the arm. I know I am going to love my new body part. : ) I am going to start my chemo on Tuesday.

I had a Smart Port put in my R chest today. I was lightly sedated and the procedure was pain free. Several hours later when the numbing agent wore off I started experiencing some neck pain but it is easily controlled. I had my 7th radiation tx to my R hip and only have 3 left. Radiation is painless but getting on and off the table is a task for me and I will be glad to finish it. Also they put a huge rubber band around my ankles to keep me from moving my legs. After a few minutes my legs start quivering and I keep waiting for the rubber band to bust. Hasn't happened yet. lol.
I had a consultation with an orthopedic surgeon on Monday and he put my mind to rest. He says that as long as I am not having pain in my R groin or buttocks I don't need to worry about hip collapsing. He agreed with Dr Goldman that after the radiation kills the cancer cells new bone will begin filling in the empty space. The only precaution I have is "not to fall".
My MRI shows I am a candidate for a vertebroplasty of my L3,L4 and L5 so that may happen in the next week or so.
Finally I am not sure when I will start my chemo but I assume it will be after my back surgery.
God is putting everything in place to assist the doctors in extending my life. I am very blessed.

I went to Dr Goldman's on Thursday and my BMB showed increased plasma cells (19%) I am going to start chemo ( Doxil and Velcade) in a few weeks. On Wed 7/22 I am going to have a mediport inserted in my chest for the IV infusions. I also had a CT scan which showed bone damage to my R hip which will be treated with radiation therapy starting Tuesday. I also have damage to my lumbar spine L3-4-5. I am having a MRI to see whether I am a candidate for kyophoplasties to that area. I am hoping that I am a candidate and that it helps alleviate the pain in my lower back when standing and bending. I am seeing an orthopedic surgeon on Monday 7/20 to see if he can do anything to help my hip or at least let me know if I have any limitation in my activity.
Looks like the next few weeks will be very busy with medical appointments.

Wednesday I had my first BMB in a year. My serum free light results started rising and Dr Goldman wanted to check and see how thing are going in my bone marrow. It was one of the best tests I have ever had done. By that I mean the least painful. : ) I hear so many people complain about their BMB's and it makes me truly grateful about my doctors good skills. I really love him!! He is the best. I will get the results next week and post them as soon as I can. Next Tuesday I am having a CT scan of my spine and pelvis to see why I am having increased lower back pain.
Bob set up our pool and we are going to try it out now. It is 81 degrees out and the pool water is already at 82.

But yesterday I had the worst dentist visit of my life. I had an abscessed tooth ( a molar) removed from the bottom of my jaw. My gums were frozen and I used laughing gas and everything was good in the world. He then proceeded to tear out my tooth and roots a little excruciating bit at a time. In all that I have suffered in this last 4 years this was the worst. I cried through the whole procedure and was so glad there were no children in his office at the time. The would have been scarred for life. I am now praying that I don't suffer any jaw problems as it is a side effect of the zometa I take. My dentist did call me last night to see if I was doing ok which I was by then. Maybe some day I will forgive him. I hope none of you have a dentist appointment tomorrow if you do, I apologize.
On a better note my rib pain is gone. I am wondering if it had anything to do with a new medication I had started 3 days before the pain started and have now quit taking.

We had a wonderful Easter day. Started out with going to the Easter service at church. After church we went to Steve's house for an early Easter dinner.

Steve comes home from the hospital today. His ablation therapy was done with no complications. He was in the cardiac procedure room for approximately 6 hours and then spent another hour in the recovery room before going to his room. We are claiming a full healing of his heart. No more atrial fibrillation.
Jack, Aly, Max, Dani and Dean spent the last 2 nights and days with us. The kids love being able to spend time together, My house looks like a hurricane hit it but in a few hours it will be back to normal.

This my four year anniversary of being diagnosed with mm. I remember thinking I was dying soon especially after I was started on Thalidamide. Julie was divorced and had reunited with an old friend . Since then she has married Andy and they have added 2 teenage grandchildren and an almost 3 year old grandson to our family. We now are blessed to have 7 grandchildren all who are doing great and we love spending time with. I am no longer able to work as a RN due to my peripheral neuropathy but with my Bob's help I am able to baby sit this wonderful little boy while his parents work. The upside of being on disability is that I don't have to worry about losing my job in this economy and medicare is affordable. Life certainly is different then it was before but it is still very happy and fulfilling. I am blessed to surrounded by a very caring, loving and supportive family. I thank God everyday for giving me this time.
Eve

Steve was at Beaumont working and was sent to the ER for a rapid and irregular heart beat. He was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation. They started him on medication to control and prevent the problem, and ran a few tests. His heart looks good and strong and he will live a long and normal life. He spent the night and was discharged today. He will need to take medication daily or he can elect to have a procedure called Ablation therapy. This is a decision he will make along with his doctor and Jennifer. Please pray for him and his family.

After taking medication for 16 months Steve has decided to have the Ablation therapy. He will be having it Monday morning at Beaumont Hospital. He goes into the hospital at 6:50am. Please keep him in your prayers.

As I approach my 4 year anniversary of being diagnosed with multiple myeloma I am happy to report some good news. My bone marrow is continuing to produce good healthy cells.
All of my labs were in normal range today so there is no need to do anything at this time. I have been off of all medication for almost 7 months now. I thank God for his mighty healing power.

A friend sent me the following email which I wish to share with you. Maybe I have to much time on my hands.