adintnah's blog

OUCH!!!

2009-09-10T19:43:49Z

Well I went to hossy for my monthly blood check, I was determined to find out what the results of my MRI scan is. The scan was in June and despite me asking in the July clinic at which I was told that they can take some time but my stand in doc would chase them and let me know. It got to August clinic and still no word, so I made my mouth go a little. This time it was my own specialist that said he would chase it and ring me. Ring me he did, but he said that rather than tell me over the phone he would tell me in clinic if we didnt meet before. but ther was an unusual degenerative condition there that he could see. He would prefer a bone man to look at it. I have spent all of August windering what he means, what is degenerative and what spinal condition. When was the bone man going to contact me and what the heck does all of this mean. My head has been in and out of me like you wouldnt believe. Today the heamo asked as soon as I walked in have I seen the bone doc..... no i replied should I have he hasnt contacted me. do you know what it said about your scan he asks............. no you wouldnt tell me on the phone i said. Ah.... he said. well, it looks like the disc at the top of your spine is pushed in and resting on your spinal cord and there are three discs in your lumber region that are crumbleing. But the good news is it has nothing to do with your Myeloma. Imagine my head now. What is my future. It gets harder to fight and fight. I thought being told that you have had four clear months of this Cancer I was doing well. But it looks like you are given something good then its grabbed from you and you get something bad to deal with again. ok thats it I've had my rant

Good News From Me

2009-07-16T18:59:02Z

I had an appointment with my consultant today. We sat, we talked and then the consultant said....... 'Well Keith, I am pleased to say that since your Stem Cell Transplant in March. all of your blood tests have failed to show any protien in your blood'. That took a while to settle in and when it did I had to ask 'Is that good.' He smiled kindly and said. 'Yes you can say that is a good thing.' YIPEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE thanks guys for your support again Keith xx

Stem Cell Harvest & Transplant

2008-11-29T13:27:20Z

At my weekly clinic visit yesterday, my Key Nurse handed me a booklet highlighting the in's and out's of Stem Cell Harvest and Transplant. We have spoken about it before but that seemed so long ago it is in the dim and distant past. The Doctor is happy with my progress and wants to schedule a multi diciplianry care team meeting with me and my family and the team to discuss STH&T. I have to say there are a lot of questions that i would like answering first before I simply say yes to it. I am aware that it may be the best option but it is still a little scary for me. However, on the other hand. i do trust my Doctor and his team and have no reason to doubt any of his decisions, it just feels like things have moved on at a great pace since April when I was told there is time enough before we start treatment. since then I must have had four cycles of CTD with another two planned then the possible STH&T. Keep you informed

Some Thoughts

2008-11-22T16:23:00Z

I am coming to the end of my fourth cycle of CTD treatment. Each cycle lasts for three weeks, starting on a friday and finishing three weeks later on a Thursday when I see my consultant. The treatment is all self medicating and consists of me taking chemotherapy tablets every Friday. followed by a very well regimented and managed regime of dexemethasone (steroid) and Thalidomide. The Thalidomide I take on an evening and have to say at first I was very apprehensive about this drug. (being of a certain age I still remember vividly the pics of thalidomide babies). However, along with various other drugs to stop indegestion, nausia, dizzines, etc everyday starts with breakfast and meds. and ends with cup of Tea and meds. All part of a routine that i am sure we all wish we didn't have to go through. I suffer from chemo head usually by the end of Sunday, so my weekends seem to be a little wasted. A time when my daughter, son in law and grandson come up to see us for lunch, but spend their time clucking around me asking if i'm ok and can they do anything for me. Here is the problem, I am sure its not just mine but its hard to get others in my family to accept this point of view without hurting them. I feel that while I can do things i must be allowed to do them. My body will tell me when I can't and that is when I need to ask for help. Sometimes I feel there is too much cotton wool around me. I know people mean well but it can be overpowering. I need people to be there when i ask for help and not always jumping to their feet when I move. (I can make a cup of tea myself if you know what i mean). My own Brother and Father seem to have forgotten that I exist. I was diagnosed in April 2008 and told them both within 24 hours the situation as I knew it then. Things of course have changed since with the treatment. but dear old dad and brother haven't even rang me to find out how I am in all the time since. That hurts, my wife reckons I shouldn't worry too much about it but i can't help it. Anyway not sure how I am going to use this blog but just jotting down some thoughts seems to help. The situation at present is that, my protein levels have dropped from 47gm when I started treatment to 12gm now. At my last appointment with consultant we discussed the possibility of at least two more cycles of treatment then a rest. before we start stem cell treatment. Here's to the future....