Friday, September 29, 2006

Day 42: Pruning pines and plasma

IgG: 1591 WBC: 4.6 Platelets: 404 Hemoglobin: 12.3 Red BC: 3.8

Richard's IgG level is just barely in the normal range for the first time. The goal of the stem cell transplant was to achieve normal plasma cell counts. The normal range is 700-1600, and Richard's count is 1591. We were hoping for a level of about 1000, but we'll take this.

The doctors will check the level again in about a month, with a more complete battery of tests including another bone marrow biopsy (which is painful, contrary to what the oncologist led us to believe the first time it was done in January). This time drugs will be Richard's friend during the in-office procedure.

Pruning plasma cells is not all that Richard has been up to. He also has been slowly pruning overgrown branches in the back yard. To make up for yesterday's sleeping picture, here is Yard Guy! Ever careful to guard eyes and lungs! Dragging cut limbs to the curb in single trips! Sorta.

We saw The Illusionist this week. Decent movie. We also saw The Benchwarmers on DVD tonight. Sophomoric movie with a message (a Sandler-produced film...enough said).

Thursday, September 28, 2006

Day 41: Dem Bones...

Richard continues to get a little stronger each day. Today he had blood drawn, a visit with the doctor, and a 3-hour arredia infusion (to ensure continued normal bone functioning). He deserves the sleep he's getting in the picture here. [The flash went off and he *still* didn't wake up.]

Richard's bones continue to be a theme in our life. Because he has severe osteoporosis due to the multiple myeloma, his bones are easily fractured and broken. Collapsed and fractured vertabrae are what first alerted us to a problem in May of 2005; over the next several months he fractured his pelvis and ribs. Last Sunday, ten minutes after I left for a work retreat, Richard was pressing down on something and he felt a pain in his chest, and heard a crack. We think his sternum is fractured. He had an x-ray today, and we will get the results soon. However, there's really nothing to do except to let it heal on its own.

Richard is also still suffering from an intense rash. The doctor gave him a pill to take, and that seems to help a little, but the constant itching is nerve-wracking. I rub lotion onto his back to relieve the itch. Maybe this is just a sneaky way to get a backrub?

Thanks for all your comments and encouragement. Cards and calls are always welcome.

Special hugs to good friends Kathy, Lisa and M'Liss, and a too-far-away hug to Gaylenintexas. Thanks for being there.

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Day 27: Positive but rashy update

WBC: 4.67 (normal!)

Things are progressing nicely in Richardland.

Richard has been spending a little time in the garden. Here's a recent not-the-best-lighting picture. Can you tell we need to prune that bush behind him? Fall is a great time, but it also signals all sorts of fun activities like pruning!

Richard had a check-up yesterday. He's gained two pounds over the last week (cue angels singing Hallelujah), and his blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and blood oxygen levels are all good. Also, his white blood count is finally in the normal range for the first time since June. Red blood counts remain a little low (3.84), but not terribly so.

The doc informed us that less than 5% of patients develop a particular strain of pneumonia after transplants. He wants Richard to avoid this nasty predicament, so he prescribed sulfameth/trimethoprim (800mg) two days a week for two months. As soon as Richard's nausea subsides, he'll start taking it.

Richard has developed a rash, and it's especially visible on his forehead. It makes me itch just looking at him. The doc says the rash is not uncommon, and that it will go away in time--go away with all the other lingering symptoms, such as nausea, low food tolerance, fatigue, light sore throat, a slight cough, and always feeling cold. While these symptoms are annoying, the rash makes him miserable. If he can't stand it longer than another day or two, the doc will put him on a steroid treatment. However, they're trying to avoid steroids if possible because of Richard's diabetes; steroids really elevate glucose levels.

Richard starts back soon on monthly infusions of arredia (the drug that makes his bones function properly). In two weeks he will have the arridea treatment and a check of his IgG level.

The IgG level, which indicates the number of plasma cells in the bone marrow, will tell us if the stem cell transplant worked. His IgG level going into the transplant was about 2500, after months of treatment (it was 9700 at diagnosis). Normal IgG levels are between 700 and 1600.

Let's see. What other updates are there. Well, Richard remains bald. The good news is that I no longer wonder who the stranger is in my house.

Well, that's just a whole lot of in-depth tidbits about Richard's body that you didn't bargain for. We share most of the details for other multiple myeloma folks who keep track of those types of details. Thanks to the rest of you for hanging in there with us!

Sunday, September 10, 2006

Day 23: Cowtown Marathon

No real news to report. Richard is still very tired, sleeping about 11 hours a night and resting a lot during the day. Yesterday he walked two blocks, and did some exercises the physical therapist had shown him.

The main reason for posting today is to invite people to join us in the Cowtown Marathon on Sunday, October 1, in Land Park. (Click on "Cowtown Marathon" for details.) It's a marathon, half-marathon, team relay or 5K (3.1 mile) walk. They anticipate about 2,000 participants.

Proceeds benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Alissa and I have signed up, and plan to do the 5K run/walk (trust me, we will be *walking*). We think it will take us about an hour to walk. Please join us if you can!

Thursday, September 07, 2006

Day 20: Buhbye borg corsage, hello lattes and muffins

WBC: 2.3

Yesterday the doctor gave Richard the green light to be in public. Well, to be in relatively open spaces while avoiding sick people. His white count is still low, but higher than it's been in about a month (ignoring the artificial numbers created by neupogen shots). The doctor's exact words were, "You can take off that face mask now." Sweet.

We celebrated by going to our favorite neighborhood coffee place, where Richard had his first iced latte and bran muffin in three weeks (he wasn't supposed to eat anything that wasn't cooked, or that was unwrapped). That's a latte grin in the picture.

We then took a short drive around our neighborhood before going home for a nap. Richard is still pretty tired and weak.

Today Richard had his catheter port taken out...another step toward normalcy. The borg-like corsage has finally been removed. It was a short hospital procedure, with just a local anesthetic. The surgeon had a little trouble pulling it out because there was scar tissue that had attached itself to the line--a common issue. And now we don't have to go to the hospital or to see a doctor for 7 days! Yippee.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Day 16: Keeping that 101.0 at bay...

WBC: 1.7

Richard has been home for three days, and things are going fine. Our daughter from NY is visiting, so that's been fun and a good distraction.

Richard has been feeling fluish, and has been running a very slight temperature. His temp hit 100.0 yesterday, which was a bit anxiety-producing. A temp of 101.0 means an immediate re-admit to the hospital. That's something we both want to avoid. Today he's fluctuated between 99.1 and 99.7. He continues to drink lots of water, and remains semi-reclined. Sanitizing wipes for counters and bathroom fixtures remain our friend. Our house has become like a small clinic, with one patient.

Here's a picture from Friday of Richard and our transplant doctor, whom we really like. I think I might have been laughing, so the picture's fuzzy. At least that's my excuse, and I'm sticking by it. Note the mask hanging around Richard's neck. It's the stem cell transplant version of a cowboy's scarf. Hoohaa.

Richard has "catheter care" every other day, and then Friday he has his port removed at Sutter Memorial Hospital. From what we can tell, it entails just a local anesthesia and maybe an anti-anxiety medicine. It's easier taking ports out than putting them in.

Things we appreciated this week: Our neighborhood and kind neighbors, our children, and our caring family and friends, who continue to reach out to us. Thank you.