Sorry to blog late. Yesterday was Chemo day and what a long day! Christmas stuff is happening and keeping us very busy as well.
Hemogloben was at 104. Down two points. Doctor says it's ok. I gave him his needle to strengthen it last night.
During this past week on his right leg, above the ankle, it became swollen, red, dry and very itchy. Turned into a rash. Doctor sent him to ultra sound to rule out a blood clot.....all ok. WHEW.
Also, during the week, he's been coughing and looks like he's developing a cold. Doctor listened to his breathing and detected wheezing on right lung. Off to see Michael in X-ray dept. We missed Michael, he wasn't there. LOL Results, no pneumonia. WHEW, again.
So, doctor okayed chemo today. In the chemo room, we were told he needed his monthly bone strengthening IV medicine. Darn, that takes two hours to drip through. We weren't expecting this. However, Tony gets the comfy chair, lounging and reading the paper and gets to watch TV. He gets control of the converter......while I sit on a stool with wheels :(
While waiting for the IV to finish, we were going to miss the appointment with the pain management doctor, so he came to us to discuss back issues. Basically he said Tony's back is a mess and isn't surprised about his pain. He was asking Tony how his neck was because the MRI showed problems there as well and that he should be in much pain. But his neck is pain free. He's very surprised at that. Tony does have a fracture on his lower back causing much pain. Hence all the morphine. In the end, instructions are ZERO physio, absolutely no chiropractors or excessive physical activity. He seems ok with acupuncture. Must be with small needles only. He feels that he needs a second opinion to simply validate his suspicions, which is good. This Friday AM, Tony is at Sunnybrook with a back specialist. Sounds like they'll be discussing surgery options? This is definitely Myeloma related injuries. Pretty quick, eh?
Since our last blog, Tony has improved with mobility and pain is manageable. (His mom is happy with this)
Steroids have begun again----4 days on, 4 days off! OMG....His chatter is back! There goes "my" sleep.
Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
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Tony & Mary
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Tony & Mary
Chemo Treatment #4
An early early day today. At hospital for 8am. YIKES!
Last week's chemo needle left a red mark where they gave it to him. They said it was a normal reaction and to keep an eye on it.
Let's see how today's needle reaction will be.
He's had four really good days. Minimal pain. Much more mobile.
The blood work this morning showed his hemoglobin up to 106. Good news! The doctor is happy with his results so far. The needle I give him Tuesday nights for his hemoglobin might be stopped next week. She will let us know. I'm getting used to poking him with the needle.
We have stopped with the steriods for now. YEAH!!!! HURRAY!!!! I can sleep now. These steriods made him quite the chatterer, especially at night time. He would strike up conversations with me at every opportunity during the night. Rolling over in bed does not mean I'm awake to chat. I'm looking forward to a great sleep tonight.
Mary
Last week's chemo needle left a red mark where they gave it to him. They said it was a normal reaction and to keep an eye on it.
Let's see how today's needle reaction will be.
He's had four really good days. Minimal pain. Much more mobile.
The blood work this morning showed his hemoglobin up to 106. Good news! The doctor is happy with his results so far. The needle I give him Tuesday nights for his hemoglobin might be stopped next week. She will let us know. I'm getting used to poking him with the needle.
We have stopped with the steriods for now. YEAH!!!! HURRAY!!!! I can sleep now. These steriods made him quite the chatterer, especially at night time. He would strike up conversations with me at every opportunity during the night. Rolling over in bed does not mean I'm awake to chat. I'm looking forward to a great sleep tonight.
Mary
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Chemo Treatment #3
Two days behind my blog......
On Tuesday, it was Tony's third treatment.
The X-ray from last week confirmed a third broken rib :( Not my fault this time.
MRI results tell us that he has degenerative disc bulges. Also, lesions from Multiple Myeloma along the spine are evident, mostly at the lower back. :(
We were expecting both these results. Still sad about the news......Tony needs to be extra careful with everything he does.
Sounds like back surgery may have to be an option for him in the future. He has an appointment next week with another doctor to discuss his pain management and options re his back.
Blood work on Tuesday showed that his hemoglobin was at 101. WOOHOO!!!! Still climbing. I'm still giving him the needle on Tuesdays. Until these numbers are where the doctor needs them to be, I will continue to do so as per her instructions. This needle is the one that helps with the hemoglobin levels. It was my second ever needle injection. It went well. Tony was so calm about it. That made it easier on me.
He worked Monday, Wednesday and is at the office this morning too.
His energy is good..
Back spasms still continue over the night.
His weight has finally leveled off over the last 1 1/2 weeks. Up and down, up and down.
Overall, having an ok week. I'll take that!
On Tuesday, it was Tony's third treatment.
The X-ray from last week confirmed a third broken rib :( Not my fault this time.
MRI results tell us that he has degenerative disc bulges. Also, lesions from Multiple Myeloma along the spine are evident, mostly at the lower back. :(
We were expecting both these results. Still sad about the news......Tony needs to be extra careful with everything he does.
Sounds like back surgery may have to be an option for him in the future. He has an appointment next week with another doctor to discuss his pain management and options re his back.
Blood work on Tuesday showed that his hemoglobin was at 101. WOOHOO!!!! Still climbing. I'm still giving him the needle on Tuesdays. Until these numbers are where the doctor needs them to be, I will continue to do so as per her instructions. This needle is the one that helps with the hemoglobin levels. It was my second ever needle injection. It went well. Tony was so calm about it. That made it easier on me.
He worked Monday, Wednesday and is at the office this morning too.
His energy is good..
Back spasms still continue over the night.
His weight has finally leveled off over the last 1 1/2 weeks. Up and down, up and down.
Overall, having an ok week. I'll take that!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
First time in 3 months
This morning, Tony put his own socks on.....no help from me. Huge accomplishment!
Ended with another good day.
Ended with another good day.
Friday, November 30, 2012
More better days than bad days
Tony has had a few good days. The onset of gout appeared on Wednesday, but he took an Aleve in the morning and one at night and it cleared before it got full blown. Whew!
Yesterday an MRI was done to rule out other possibilities causing the backache. Results should be on Tuesday.
Last night was a completely sleepness night. The steroids he's taking apparently make him quite the chatterbox. When I roll over in bed, he thinks I'm awake and begins a conversation......with me. LOL
I'm not getting my rest. I know this sounds so selfish. Even as I type this my head is shaking and I'm smiling. Should I be complaining? I love talking with him.
We had a very good friend of ours sadly lose her mom this week. We had trouble deciding how Tony would pay his respects for our dear friend. He needs to stay away from sick people and large crowds. We cannot risk him catching a cold. So we decided to have him attend the funeral mass and sit at the back. It's difficult to stay away from people with colds and say, "no hugs please" So much support with this. It's amazing!
Back aches are only in the morning and as the morning routines are accomplished, his back loosens and he is able to do more.
Mary
Yesterday an MRI was done to rule out other possibilities causing the backache. Results should be on Tuesday.
Last night was a completely sleepness night. The steroids he's taking apparently make him quite the chatterbox. When I roll over in bed, he thinks I'm awake and begins a conversation......with me. LOL
I'm not getting my rest. I know this sounds so selfish. Even as I type this my head is shaking and I'm smiling. Should I be complaining? I love talking with him.
We had a very good friend of ours sadly lose her mom this week. We had trouble deciding how Tony would pay his respects for our dear friend. He needs to stay away from sick people and large crowds. We cannot risk him catching a cold. So we decided to have him attend the funeral mass and sit at the back. It's difficult to stay away from people with colds and say, "no hugs please" So much support with this. It's amazing!
Back aches are only in the morning and as the morning routines are accomplished, his back loosens and he is able to do more.
Mary
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Chemo Treatment #2
Today was our second Chemo treatment. Blood levels are responding already to the chemo. Good news!
We told the doctor today about his broken rib from last week and that it felt the same as the last time and she needs to confirm it. So, off to X-ray we went. Best to document this if it is true. We'll find out next Tuesday if it's broken. In the meantime, there's not much to do by way of caring for this injury except take those painkillers. As I type, it's 10:10pm and still no nausea from chemo today. We've noticed rapid weight loss over 4-5 days. Voice is weak at times. Leg cramping in bed was an issue last night. Not sure if related to Chemo. Doctor will let us know more on that next week.
After our visit to hospital, we decided he needs a hat to keep warm during these cold days. The shopping we did was not good for his back. I drove him home and he rested for the remainder of the day. He's tired.
Oh, and I learned to give him a needle!!!!! OMG!!!! Those of you who know me KNOW, that I could NEVER do this!!!! But I did. Not sure if I enjoyed poking him or not? Let me share with you how this came about. Two weeks ago, the doctor told us that he needed this needle. She sent me to the pharmacy to fill out the prescription. At the pharmacy in the hospital, the pharmacist asked if we were on a health plan....my answer was nooooo, why? Well, one needle is $475. He needs this injection once a week for 8 weeks. $$$$$ The pharmacist explained that if home care administers it at the house, we would be covered. So, with the doctors help we are covered. BUT, because this needle doesn't go into your veins, they need to teach someone to do it. So, tonight I learned. YIKES!
We told the doctor today about his broken rib from last week and that it felt the same as the last time and she needs to confirm it. So, off to X-ray we went. Best to document this if it is true. We'll find out next Tuesday if it's broken. In the meantime, there's not much to do by way of caring for this injury except take those painkillers. As I type, it's 10:10pm and still no nausea from chemo today. We've noticed rapid weight loss over 4-5 days. Voice is weak at times. Leg cramping in bed was an issue last night. Not sure if related to Chemo. Doctor will let us know more on that next week.
After our visit to hospital, we decided he needs a hat to keep warm during these cold days. The shopping we did was not good for his back. I drove him home and he rested for the remainder of the day. He's tired.
Oh, and I learned to give him a needle!!!!! OMG!!!! Those of you who know me KNOW, that I could NEVER do this!!!! But I did. Not sure if I enjoyed poking him or not? Let me share with you how this came about. Two weeks ago, the doctor told us that he needed this needle. She sent me to the pharmacy to fill out the prescription. At the pharmacy in the hospital, the pharmacist asked if we were on a health plan....my answer was nooooo, why? Well, one needle is $475. He needs this injection once a week for 8 weeks. $$$$$ The pharmacist explained that if home care administers it at the house, we would be covered. So, with the doctors help we are covered. BUT, because this needle doesn't go into your veins, they need to teach someone to do it. So, tonight I learned. YIKES!
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