Happy Anniversary....
Bob and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary with Steve, Jen, Julie, Andy and Dean at Mountain Jacks- January 27th the night before the actual date. We had a great dinner (Thank you kids). I had the surf and Bob had the turf. : ) After dinner we went to Julie and Andy's for carrot cake with the grandkids. My mom sent us 2 dozen long stem pink roses with burgundy tips. I was happy to be here alive and well. With cancer each day is a new gift from God. My next goal is my 60th birthday in August..
This month is the second year anniversary of when I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma and also one year off of Thalidomide. The Thalidomide put my cancer into remission but it also left me with severe neuropathy in my feet and hands. It also fogged my mind greatly but luckily that left when I stopped taking it. Well mostly, anyways. Chemo brain is a really good excuse for forgetfulness. I have also been off the decadron for over ten months and have lost 45 of the 75 pounds I put on with it.
The radiation therapy seems to have worked as I have very little pain in my arm. It only hurts when I am having physical therapy and occasional discomfort when lying on my left side. The physical therapy is helping me regain some use of my arm but it is going slowly.
I had a bone marrow biopsy last Wednesday and Dr. Goldman called me last night with the results. My plasma count in Sept. was 1% and now it is 5%. This is not bad but he wants to "nip it in the bud" and I will start on Revlimid in a few weeks when I return from Florida. The Revlimid doesn't cause the neuropathy like the Thalidomide but it does effect your blood counts and will have to followed closely. He is not putting me back on decadron and I am very happy about that. Click here for more information on Revlimid
3 comments:
Wow you got roses from MOM . She is a very thoughtful Mother, all three of us are lucky to have her.I also am looking forward to your 60 birthday. Maybe we can celebrate it early in June at my house when I turn 70 with all your family . then again in August.Hee,hee. Well sounds like the Dr, is taking good care of you. Keep up the good work on your weight, and your exercise program. Have a great time in Flordia . God Bless you, my baby sister. (had to say that Hee,Hee.)Love ya Bunches sis
You got flowers from your Mom? Bruce and I celebrated our 5th anniversary (which just happens to be the same day as your anniversary) and my Mom (Mary Lou) didn't send flowers! Maybe I have to put in another 35 years! Just kidding Mom (I love you!). Anyway about this birthday deal - I will be 50 this year in March. We can celebrate my birthday in March, Mom's 70th in June and finish off with your 60th in August. We need to go all out!
I hope your new treatment will bring you comfort and leave your mind clear! Keep the faith and celebrate each day of our lives. I love you Aunt Evelyn!!!
I was diagnosed in 2002. I was in the MGUS stage and the oncologist wanted me to start to chemo. I thought about it and went to UNC Chapel Hill, NC for a second opinion. The doctor told me to go for quality of life. Stay off chemo as long as you can. I had two conflecting opinions. We went to NY and saw a doctor who recently came from Arkansa. He agreed to wait. After two years my protein count started to rise. I started VAD but could only handle three cycles of the required four. Since my numbers were good we started procedures for SCT. I just had my port installed and then we received a call from my sister that my mother was not going to make it through the night. She was 89 years old and in a nursing home in Chicago. The doctors ok my trip to go to the funeral. I promised to return in one week. When I returned we proceeded with the SCT. I was in the hospital for 21 days. I developed many infections and fevers. I felt I was trapped in a room. UNC is two hours from home, Fayetteville NC. Because of the infections, my husband was my only visitor which was every other day. No flowers were allowed. But I did received many cards and phone calls. Luckily my husband's boss lent me his lap top. When I returned home, my sister stayed to help for two weeks. My husband already took too many days off from work. She was fantastic. We never got along but the death of my mother brough us closer. I relapsed 9 months later and was on Thalidimid, Doxile and Velcade. I couldn't handle Thal. Neuropathy set in. They reduce my chemo to include only Velcade. After 7 months we went to NY for advice. He immediately took me off chemo because of neuropathy in my legs. I have been off chemo for 5 months now. The protein count is slowly rising. I has been heaven not to have chemo.
You have a lovely family. My family is so far away. My son, his wife and our 5 year old grandson live in Ohio. My youngest son is in Pinehurst NC. He is 25 and single.
Anne
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