I, the caregiver, have been stressed. Last week was a bad week. Lots happened. So much so that I truly didn't feel like talking about Tony or anything. This past weekend was a relaxing one spent up north. Tony got some sunshine and even got lots of social time with the baseball team. He is growing beard & chest hair. It almost felt normal.....
Last week:
It was Tony's first trip back to Humber River Hospital since September 2013. I was getting anxious, for a number of reasons. Memories of his one month hospital stay. Memories of bad news. Memories of long long days spent by his side. Memories of chest pain for me. ugh!
I dropped him off at the front door and he walked in alone while I parked. On his way up in the elevator, he met his original oncologist-the one that left for maternity leave back in March 2013. The one who said he would be fine. The one we enjoyed seeing. She was glad to see him.
And then he met the doctor who cared for him during those bad times. She actually gave him a hug and was sincere about seeing him again.
And then the nurses and staff....OMG they are sooooooo nice. Since he walked in without me, they asked him where his wife was. That's nice. They all came up to him and asked how he was doing. Saying he looked great. (he lost a lot of weight-looks very frail) but they all said he looked great. He had a great smile on his face.
And then we met a fellow multiple myeloma patient. Someone we met on his first visit when told he had MM. His wife was there as well. Tony and Paul have been texting and phoning each other since then and hadn't seen each other since October 2012. It was great seeing them and chatting. It actually made our morning go by faster.
They did his blood work, etc. Then we went to see Dr. K. She got caught up with all of Princess Margaret's progress. She seemed good about his progress. He is to continue on with Dex, valcade and Revlimed. The valcade is a weekly injection, so follow up again is every Thursday at this location.
Friday:
Friday we received a fax with very detailed reports from everything. Something we requested. Something I didn't expect to see. I had to read them twice! I wasn't sure if I read them right, but I did.......
His Myeloma Protein number was climbing. Here's a history and you judge:
57.7 October 2012 when Diagnosed
2.9 December 12, 2013 after the last D-pace treatment
4.6 Feb 2014, after first transplant.
5.8 March 2014, just before second transplant.
2.9 April 2014, just after second transplant.
5.9 May 2014 ?????????
This number, from what I remember should be zero...... His IgG is at 17.8 (63.2 when diagnosed)
This Thursday's appointment cannot come soon enough!!!!! I need answers. I know it's not a huge climb, but it is a climb. Blogs we follow say that these numbers fluctuate and that's why they wait for 100 days post transplant to reassess your situation. I'm trying to not dwell on this but.........I'm very hopeful knowing that there are more options and treatments available for him. It just pains me to see him struggling with getting dressed and doing daily activities that many take for granted.
Also, today, I felt a cyst like something on his left abdominal area. What gives me courage is that the other tumors didn't feel like this one. It is about 1".
Today:
He was back at Humber for his pre-op appointment. He drove himself and parked and everything! WoooHoo! Without me. This is just a routine appointment for his procedure coming up to remove the two nephrostomy tubes near the end of the month.
Well, the GEMM Team is currently sitting at $7,095 funds raised and still counting! That is great news! I'm still trying to find time to solicit people. So, if you haven't heard from me yet, you will fellow readers!
Here's the team page. Look for a name you know and sponsor that person. PLEASE....I need your help. Princess Margaret needs your help.
www.5kwalk.ca
You will see our team page in the top teams at the bottom right hand side of the site. Click on the GEMM Team and follow our progress!
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