I've been thinking about closing down this blog. I haven't "advertised" it and, consequently, I guess, rarely get any comments. (Not that what I've written is so "worthy" of response!) Sort of the same situation with my "religious" blog, Ich Bin Ein Luteraner.
Maybe if I kept both of 'em more up to date?
We'll see.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Yup
It is multiple myeloma. But not, if I understand correctly, seriously advanced. Gonna take some more tests. Something called a "fat pad biopsy." A needleful of fat that I can readily spare! And an echocardiogram because the myeloma protein can affect the heart muscle. No present indication that it has, but better safe than sorry. That's scheduled for the 30th. Don't know when the fat pad biopsy will be.
Good news is that my potassium level is back down to acceptable, probably because of this terrible-tasting Kayexalate I've been taking. But that's been cut to twice a week rather than three times.
Treatment for the myeloma will be drugs and steroids. Drug of choice seems to be Thalidomide, but that requires taking a blood thinner along with. I'm a pretty easy "bleeder" already, so I hope something else is available. Treatment will probably last for about 6 months. Depends on effectiveness, of course.
I'm a lot less worried than I was when I first found out about this. It's not like "you've got six months!" It's treatable, and I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Good news is that my potassium level is back down to acceptable, probably because of this terrible-tasting Kayexalate I've been taking. But that's been cut to twice a week rather than three times.
Treatment for the myeloma will be drugs and steroids. Drug of choice seems to be Thalidomide, but that requires taking a blood thinner along with. I'm a pretty easy "bleeder" already, so I hope something else is available. Treatment will probably last for about 6 months. Depends on effectiveness, of course.
I'm a lot less worried than I was when I first found out about this. It's not like "you've got six months!" It's treatable, and I'll just keep on keepin' on.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Ouch!
Stated as simply as possible...a bone marrow biopsy is a pain in the ass! (Well, the hip, actually.)
She said it wouldn't hurt much, and it didn't except for when she was drawing out the marrow. Thank God for Lidocane! (And a cute tech assistant holding my hand!)
I'll know the results in a week.
She agrees with the kidney doc that a MRI on the kidney is most likely a waste of money. Probably wouldn't be any more definitive than the CT scan. Normal procedure is to maybe do another CT scan in three months or so and, if warranted, another one six months after that. If whatever it is is growing they most likely will not do a kidney biopsy. It just comes out and I learn to live with one. Kidney doc will probaly have more when I see him next week, but Dr. Kao, in addition to being a doll (!), is a lot more forhcoming with information than he is.
But that's a long way down the road, and I have more importnt things to worry about.
She said it wouldn't hurt much, and it didn't except for when she was drawing out the marrow. Thank God for Lidocane! (And a cute tech assistant holding my hand!)
I'll know the results in a week.
She agrees with the kidney doc that a MRI on the kidney is most likely a waste of money. Probably wouldn't be any more definitive than the CT scan. Normal procedure is to maybe do another CT scan in three months or so and, if warranted, another one six months after that. If whatever it is is growing they most likely will not do a kidney biopsy. It just comes out and I learn to live with one. Kidney doc will probaly have more when I see him next week, but Dr. Kao, in addition to being a doll (!), is a lot more forhcoming with information than he is.
But that's a long way down the road, and I have more importnt things to worry about.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Update
It's about time I updated this, even if nobody is reading it anyway!
My x-rays were clean. No holes in the bones. More extensive blood tests did show myeloma (didn't show in the blood in previous tests), so I'm scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy on the 15th. Doc is talking about chemo with thalidomide. (She'll know more when the bone marrow results come back.) That has its drawbacks as far as side effects, but she says it's very effective and may not be for a lengthy period. It all depends on how "advanced" the myeloma is.
The CT scan on the kidneys was "inconclusive." There's a 2.8 cm "something" on one of 'em, but whether it's cyst or tumor is undetermined. The hospital radiologist suggested a MRI, but the kidney doc thinks they just want more billing $$$s (!) so he's not ordering that at this time. Next appointment with him is on the 22nd.
To be succinct...............more waiting!
My x-rays were clean. No holes in the bones. More extensive blood tests did show myeloma (didn't show in the blood in previous tests), so I'm scheduled for a bone marrow biopsy on the 15th. Doc is talking about chemo with thalidomide. (She'll know more when the bone marrow results come back.) That has its drawbacks as far as side effects, but she says it's very effective and may not be for a lengthy period. It all depends on how "advanced" the myeloma is.
The CT scan on the kidneys was "inconclusive." There's a 2.8 cm "something" on one of 'em, but whether it's cyst or tumor is undetermined. The hospital radiologist suggested a MRI, but the kidney doc thinks they just want more billing $$$s (!) so he's not ordering that at this time. Next appointment with him is on the 22nd.
To be succinct...............more waiting!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
More waiting
Twenty four...count 'em...twenty four separate x-rays yesterday. From head to foot. Every bone in this tired old bod is now documented. And, as far as I know, I didn't glow in the dark last night. Maybe I'll know Friday.
Still waiting for the results of the kidney CT scan over a week ago. No news is good news? As of yesterday the kidney doc hadn't even looked at it!
Still waiting for the results of the kidney CT scan over a week ago. No news is good news? As of yesterday the kidney doc hadn't even looked at it!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The more I wait...
Appointment with my oncologist/hematologist yesterday. Oh, that I were 40 years younger...and single!!!
She needs more tests, of course. More blood, more urine, and a full body X-ray to see if there any holes in my bones (that's one of the things that myeloma causes.) Did find out that, in the initial tests ordered by the nephrologist, myeloma was detected in the urine, but not in the blood. Is that good? Not necessarily. That it was detected at all is not good! But I'm hopeful.
She may, eventually, do a bone marrow biopsy...that's where myeloma originates...but that all depends on these latest tests. Won't know anything about that until the 26th of this month.
No word yet on the CT scan of the kidneys I had on Monday. I hope the nephrologist doesn't wait a month like he did with the sonogram! I'll probably bug him this week or next.
It's the damned waiting that's getting to me!
She needs more tests, of course. More blood, more urine, and a full body X-ray to see if there any holes in my bones (that's one of the things that myeloma causes.) Did find out that, in the initial tests ordered by the nephrologist, myeloma was detected in the urine, but not in the blood. Is that good? Not necessarily. That it was detected at all is not good! But I'm hopeful.
She may, eventually, do a bone marrow biopsy...that's where myeloma originates...but that all depends on these latest tests. Won't know anything about that until the 26th of this month.
No word yet on the CT scan of the kidneys I had on Monday. I hope the nephrologist doesn't wait a month like he did with the sonogram! I'll probably bug him this week or next.
It's the damned waiting that's getting to me!
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