Well, we are leaving on Wednesday to go back to Little Rock for a short visit. A 4 day chemo cycle and then we get to come home to recover. We have found a new primary care physician (as they are called here in the US and required by our insurance company's in order to get referrals and so on). We selected a general practitioner or Internal Medicine doc for our main guy and he seems to be quite willing to work with Little Rock and us. This was a relief.
Dave continues to improve. Spiritually, he's in a much better place about going back than I am! That's a switch! Physically, he is in very little pain now, but has little stamina. When we get back, the new doc said he agreed with me (imagine that!) that Dave should get a physical therapy evaluation and have someone work with him on what he can and cannot do to get stronger. I know what he needs to do, but he doesn't have enough confidence to trust me on that, annoying, but fair and understandable. So I told him I would just RAT him out to the doc and he would have an EXTRA thing to do, so I did and he does. Marital quirks, what can I say! Now, all my other male friends say that if they ever get sick, they are calling me FIRST! Hahaha, I guess when its your wife, its just different!
So we continue to taper down on the morphine and I think we are just a couple months away from being off of it altogether. That will be a BIG WIN for Dave. He hates taking pills in general. His Vertebroplasty for his compression fracture was totally worth it! He still has some twinges at the site, almost a month out, but other than that, he feels really good on that score.
We are still expected to back in April for the 2nd of the Tandem stem cell transplants, but we don't have the date yet. I suspect we will get that sorted out on this visit.
I'm anxious to hear how the hyperbaric treatments they started for their hard to collect patients is progressing. It may be too soon to have results yet, but I'm hopeful for them and will let you know.
Our children continue to hold their own back East in college and I am both proud and relieved. But I miss them. I have a trip planned back East in mid march to see them and a friend and go to the beach house she has on the eastern shore. With the caveat that Dave can hold his own of course. It will seem weird, but it would be great to have a break and get back to visit some friends and see the kids.
Thanks for all your support as always.
Best, Lori
FormerMember
Hi Lorri
Good luck to hubby with the chemo hope everytings goes ok.
Great to hear how well Dave is doing and good for you for keep fighting his corner (whether he appreciates it or not lol). I have passed on the info about hybabaric (spelling?) treatment for stem cell collection to another site and hope that people over here start pushing for this.
I am also looking forward to catching up with my mum and eldest daughter in March. For the first time I can remember I didn't get to see my Mum on Mother's Day last year which upset both of us so I promised that this year we would have a 'girly' weekend together. We will be going to visit my daughter who lives in another part of the country, who I don't get to see that often as she is a very busy teacher. She lives in Lincoln which is a beautiful historic city so Mum and I can do the 'touristy' thing and have a walk around on the Saturday and then on Sunday I will have my mum and my daughter will have hers to share the day lol. My dad, bless him, will be sulking at home!
Good luck with the next round of treatment for Dave. have a safe journey
I have to say I admire you so much - your fighting sprit is amazing - I bet half this webste wishes (like me) that they had you fighting their corner for them!! You are travelling such a long way to ensure Dave has the best chance of treatment, living in your trailer whilst away - it is very inspiring to someone who lives 3 mins from her local hospital and who has never had to drive more than 30 mins to get treatment/tests. I dont know where you get all your energy from and I hope you take time to look after yourself also. WIshing you and Dave well - Im pleased you have a visit to the coast to see your kids comming up in order to have something non - cancer related to look forward to. Best wishes, Love Jools xxxx
My new favourite quote: 'There is no better excercise in the world than to reach down and lift someone up' :o)
Just when Dave was feeling better again; I can see why you're not madly keen!
Ken doesn't have to have that at the moment and he is getting fitter through walking and rowing (in this snow too - he must be mad lol) on our rowing machine obviously... and he is doing everything else too like fixing the car, cooking, housework etc. Whereas I just put my feet up and direct his efforts - lol I wish! He seems to be on a plateau rather than in complete remission or whatever, but is just pleased to be feeling good; he is much less anaemic than before the transplant.
Good for Dave though for seeing chemo as another step towards feeling really well. Best of luck with all that,
You guys are all so flattering to me! Thank you so much. Love the quote Jools, and you certainly achieved that! Thank you.
Phoenix, here is the link on a Myeloma Survivors website on the hyperbaric complete with the links to the research papers. mm.acor.org/.../Puente_David.htm.
Anyway, Tia, Jools, Phoenix, I thank you very much for your good wishes and I will be in touch while in Little Rock.
Lori
PS Clare, too funny, we were posting at the same time so didn't see you there! Thanks and that's such great news about Ken! :)
