Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Finally, Great news!

Finally!!!!!!!!
It's been a stressful week, waiting for results.
Here's the latest on what's been going on:

Tony got his monthly 2 hour IV med (Prednisone, for bone strengthening)
He has completed 4 injections of Eprex for stimulating his hemoglobin.  He was at 118, but last week it dropped to 98.  (for men, it should be at 140) Weird, but because it was taken from two different hospitals. They say it could just be the way different labs read.  I don't get that, but Dr. C. at Princess Margaret wasn't concerned.
Tony's right hand was beginning to get gout-like symptoms and began to swell and hurt badly.  Even both elbows were sore.  He began taking Advils to help the swelling.  That usually worked in the past, but not this time.  Also, poor choices in food probably contributed to it.  When we asked the doctor at Princess Margaret, she said that the steroids would help.  Coincidentally, he had stopped taking the steroids (his new regime with his meds are on for 21 days, off for 7)  So, his symptoms began during his 7 days off.  And, sure enough, once he began to take them again, swelling went down.  He continues to feel sore on his one finger.  Difficulty shaking hands with people.  It looks arthritic.
So, here's the great news!  We found out on Monday that his myeloma numbers have dropped in 30 days to it's lowest ever since we started this journey!!!!  His new med, Revlimed, is doing the trick.
Interesting history here.
57.7 when diagnosed Nov2012
18.2 before groin area problems began Jan2013
55.5 after his surgery May2013
5.2   after 30 days on Revlimed for 21days and Steroids 4days on/4days off, and 10 days radiation.
This number should be at ZERO for a normal person!

We now see the doctor every 30 days.
KEEP IT UP TONY!

On a personal note:  My mom is having a procedure on Thursday, which will tell us more what's going on and my dad is having surgery to remove his hernia this coming summer.  Keep us in your prayers.


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