Multiple myeloma is a cancer of plasma cells. Plasma cells are found in the bone marrow. Plasma cells produce a protein called antibodies. Some antibodies can attack and kill disease causing germs. Patients with this type of cancer may have low blood cell counts and immune problems giving them a higher chance for getting infections such as pneumonia. The bones can be affected leading to bone pain and breaks (fractures).
We deal with this realization every day. It is not foremost in our thinking, but it is always in the back of my mind.
We had a good weekend, but it ended with ChemoSabe being down all day Sunday and he stayed home today. He never calls in sick. He has a lot of pain in his chest and back. I am praying pneumonia is not setting in like before. He does not have congestion or the sniffles, but it still worries me.
We have had a busy past two weeks. We did make vacation the week of the 21st. We hauled the bikes up to Illinois to visit family (our favorite vacation spot). Since the weather was predicting rain we didn't want to take the chance of riding all the way. AND, ChemoSabe packed 12 T-shirts for the trip along with other items so it was good we took the Tahoe! ha
We rounded out our trip on Wednesday spending the night in Springfield, MO. We checked in around 9:00 at Drury Inn and got a room on the 4th floor. ChemoSabe grumbled about that, but hey...we were late. As we carried our clothes and bags in through the lobby, the desk clerk told us he had a cancellation and was putting us on the 1st floor at no extra cost. I thanked him and headed to the room.
It was a very nice room with a 40 in. flat screen. I noticed the adjoining room was open so I peaked in. It was a full size meeting room with a table for ten, another flat screen, a full kitchen, couch and chairs. I walked out into the hallway and it was the same room number as ours. I wanted to make certain there was no mistake. As we walked over to get a bite to eat before turning in I looked at the desk clerk with a thumbs up and said, "U da Man!"
Met up with Stretch and Rainman in Fayetteville on Thursday for the Bikes, Blues and BBQ festival. Over the weekend there was reported to be 300,000 people. We steered clear of the night life and the heavy traffic through the downtown area. We had good food and fellowship.
We were to return home on Sunday, but was looking so forward to getting home to our own bed and the kids. Commenced to load the bikes onto the trailer and ChemoSabe's foot got a little heavy. Dropped the beast off the back of the trailer and flipped the ramp off. STUCK!!! To the Rescue -- Rainman!
I was thankful for the time off away from work. We may not get another vacation for quite some time. It was good because last year we were dealing with the reality of Multiple Myeloma, the chemo treatments, stem cell transplant and of course, the battle of insurance issues. We are still dealing with the same issues, but we are better for the handling, this year.
I see how he feels now and I thank the Lord for the progress he has made. I couldn't survive without him.
Had the steroid treatment last week for four days and it begins again tomorrow with the two Velcade shots during the week. We have had discussions about his mood swings as a result and he is doing better. We have even laughed about it.
Labs are coming back very good each week. Weighs is progressing and we are working on that.
Well, I just got word from Tonto (his assistant) that he is at work. He just won't give in and rest. Please pray that I don't plow into him about taking care of himself. Sometimes he pushes me to my limit.
I will try to keep you posted more often. We have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather. Crisp mornings and fair days. I have even been leaving the kids out in the day time. Our new neighbors talk to them through the fence. Much different than the other ones that ran sticks up and down the wood and harassed. They were adults, too.
Have a good week --
Good day and Love -- Pepper
Chemo Sabe
- ChemoSabe
- Benton, AR, United States
- Diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma-- May 2008
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pink -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Pink • verb
Definition: to perforate in an ornamental pattern :to cut a saw-toothed edge on :pierce, stab :to wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule
Who wrote that last blog? It seemed all she did was pink away at ChemoSabe. Oh, excuse me -- It was I.
Since this is Wednesday I really can't fill you in on the mood swings. He has traveled the last two days and I found out around 1:00 he was out again this morning. I thought he was in the office... I have been sleeping on the couch, on the spare bed and on the floor. This was only last night. I feel the snoring this week is a result of fatigue.
Spirits have been good, although Woody got a good talking to and a finger in his bill. His communative sqawking didn't please ChemoSabe. It is something Woody does when 'daddy' gets home and is usually received in a good humor.
This is our week off Velcade and steroids. Next week will be, also. I am hoping for an uphill surge by week end.
We played WII again on Monday and we were having such a time we didn't hear son come in the door. He said it sounded like someone was really getting the ____ kicked out of them. It was me! Had to let him win again.
Good day and Love -- Pepper
Definition: to perforate in an ornamental pattern :to cut a saw-toothed edge on :pierce, stab :to wound by irony, criticism, or ridicule
Who wrote that last blog? It seemed all she did was pink away at ChemoSabe. Oh, excuse me -- It was I.
Since this is Wednesday I really can't fill you in on the mood swings. He has traveled the last two days and I found out around 1:00 he was out again this morning. I thought he was in the office... I have been sleeping on the couch, on the spare bed and on the floor. This was only last night. I feel the snoring this week is a result of fatigue.
Spirits have been good, although Woody got a good talking to and a finger in his bill. His communative sqawking didn't please ChemoSabe. It is something Woody does when 'daddy' gets home and is usually received in a good humor.
This is our week off Velcade and steroids. Next week will be, also. I am hoping for an uphill surge by week end.
We played WII again on Monday and we were having such a time we didn't hear son come in the door. He said it sounded like someone was really getting the ____ kicked out of them. It was me! Had to let him win again.
Good day and Love -- Pepper
Monday, September 14, 2009
Peregrination -- Word for the Day -- Monday, September 14, 2009
Peregrination • \pair-uh-gruh-NAY-shun\
Definition: an excursion especially on foot or to a foreign country: journey
We are continuing on our journey, but not on foot. It is not to a foreign country, but it has been foreign to say the least. As we continue on the peregrination, I find and see things I don't remember or that are not familiar. In speaking with ChemoSabe, he seems to have the same thought.
Please keep in mind -- the following is for medical purposes and to share what effects medications during Myeloma can cause. Anything I say or do in the following cannot be used against me! ha Seriously, as a caregiver, this prepares you for the patient's hardship, as well as, the caregiver.
We have been practicing what we heard from our pastor, Allan, about 12 years ago in a sermon. The 12 words you should say after a disagreement.. "I'm sorry; I was wrong; please forgive me; I love you." It is a MAJOR hurdle for me to get past the second word (sorry). That one is not in MY dictionary. And I am never wrong. ha
I carry a small pillow on my console in the Tahoe -- "I'm not bossy, I just have better ideas." That sums me up in a "nut shell". Some of you may think "nut case".
The last two weekends, even though we did peregrination to Eureka and Branson, have been a test for each of us. Mentally and emotionally for me and mentally, emotionally and physically for him. He claims it is the meds, but after speaking with him I believe it is the meds and the way he is pushing himself at work. After all, getting up at 1:30 a.m. and not getting home until 9:00 p.m. a few days last week, along with the steroids and chemo shots can take a toll. Would you not agree?
It has resulted in things said, actions and carrying feelings on one's sleeve. He actually antagonized me this weekend and then told me to "Shut up"... One thing we have never said out of our respect for each other. I have to tell you the hair raised on my neck. I could feel the razor edge going down my spine, so I repeated the same. Luckily we were in the truck because our friends were just a few feet away.. No, they did not hear. But, by the time we got to the restaurant, we were talking. By the time our food arrived, we were laughing and sharing with our friends about his moods. I DO believe in male menopause.
This week, I fear will be about the same even though there are no steroids or Velcade shots. He is travelling heavily again and is already tired. We did relax this afternoon and played four sets of tennis on the WII. He thinks he beat me. Heck, I had to do something to get me on his good side.
We went to our home church yesterday and it was like seeing family we hadn't seen in years. It was such a refueling. Something we have been needing. We knew what it was, but we have been so selfish in our time together. So fearful we would lose a precious moment for just the two of us. They hugged on us and loved on us, but especially, they listened and didn't condemn us for not being there.
We both have a busy week ahead of us. I have some major decisions to make in the next month or so. I just pray they are the right choices.
We are attending a Myeloma evening out this week. The very first one we attended was before ChemoSabe began his treatments last year. We met so many Myeloma friends there. I hope we see them again and meet new ones. (Well, not necessarily meet new Myeloma patients. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But, meet new friends that are going thru the same trials we have and will.)
It is late. ChemoSabe has been asleep since 9:00 p.m. to rest up for peregrination tomorrow. You know him...he won't spend the night out of town.
I hope you are have a good week.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
Definition: an excursion especially on foot or to a foreign country: journey
We are continuing on our journey, but not on foot. It is not to a foreign country, but it has been foreign to say the least. As we continue on the peregrination, I find and see things I don't remember or that are not familiar. In speaking with ChemoSabe, he seems to have the same thought.
Please keep in mind -- the following is for medical purposes and to share what effects medications during Myeloma can cause. Anything I say or do in the following cannot be used against me! ha Seriously, as a caregiver, this prepares you for the patient's hardship, as well as, the caregiver.
We have been practicing what we heard from our pastor, Allan, about 12 years ago in a sermon. The 12 words you should say after a disagreement.. "I'm sorry; I was wrong; please forgive me; I love you." It is a MAJOR hurdle for me to get past the second word (sorry). That one is not in MY dictionary. And I am never wrong. ha
I carry a small pillow on my console in the Tahoe -- "I'm not bossy, I just have better ideas." That sums me up in a "nut shell". Some of you may think "nut case".
The last two weekends, even though we did peregrination to Eureka and Branson, have been a test for each of us. Mentally and emotionally for me and mentally, emotionally and physically for him. He claims it is the meds, but after speaking with him I believe it is the meds and the way he is pushing himself at work. After all, getting up at 1:30 a.m. and not getting home until 9:00 p.m. a few days last week, along with the steroids and chemo shots can take a toll. Would you not agree?
It has resulted in things said, actions and carrying feelings on one's sleeve. He actually antagonized me this weekend and then told me to "Shut up"... One thing we have never said out of our respect for each other. I have to tell you the hair raised on my neck. I could feel the razor edge going down my spine, so I repeated the same. Luckily we were in the truck because our friends were just a few feet away.. No, they did not hear. But, by the time we got to the restaurant, we were talking. By the time our food arrived, we were laughing and sharing with our friends about his moods. I DO believe in male menopause.
This week, I fear will be about the same even though there are no steroids or Velcade shots. He is travelling heavily again and is already tired. We did relax this afternoon and played four sets of tennis on the WII. He thinks he beat me. Heck, I had to do something to get me on his good side.
We went to our home church yesterday and it was like seeing family we hadn't seen in years. It was such a refueling. Something we have been needing. We knew what it was, but we have been so selfish in our time together. So fearful we would lose a precious moment for just the two of us. They hugged on us and loved on us, but especially, they listened and didn't condemn us for not being there.
We both have a busy week ahead of us. I have some major decisions to make in the next month or so. I just pray they are the right choices.
We are attending a Myeloma evening out this week. The very first one we attended was before ChemoSabe began his treatments last year. We met so many Myeloma friends there. I hope we see them again and meet new ones. (Well, not necessarily meet new Myeloma patients. I wouldn't wish that on anyone. But, meet new friends that are going thru the same trials we have and will.)
It is late. ChemoSabe has been asleep since 9:00 p.m. to rest up for peregrination tomorrow. You know him...he won't spend the night out of town.
I hope you are have a good week.
Good night and Love -- Pepper
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ennead -- Word for the Day -- Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Ennead • \EN-ee-ad\ • noun
Definition: a group of nine
I have Webster dictionary as one of my favorites on the Internet. Since Yahoo doesn't feature a "Word for the Day" any more, I discovered today that Webster has it. So, here we go.
Ennead, meaning nine reminds me of the medication ChemoSabe is taking now. Ennead a day...in some form or fashion. Here they are:
B-6; Acyclovir; Rantidine; Gabapentin; Ecotrin; Tamaflu; Crestor; Velcade; Dexamethasone; Revilmid
The bulk of these are daily, twice a day. Yesterday began the second week of the 28 day cycle which means he started the Dex yesterday for four days. After Friday he will be off them for two weeks. Needless to say... he was up at 1:30 a.m. today and it is 8:00 p.m. and he still hasn't gotten home from work. He had to make a run to Ft. Smith for interviews.
We had a wonderful weekend alone. The rain chased us from the time we left the house on the bikes until the time we returned home. We got soaked once in between Berryville and Harrison for about five miles. Then, nothing.
ChemoSabe lost a guardian angel strap he had on his handlebars that his mom gave to him some years back. I thought I saw something come off his bike on the interstate, but by then it was too late. While we shopped in Branson we looked in every store for one. Even the Christian stores in Eureka had nothing to compare.
He also lost the lens cover to my very good camera. You see, he is still in training to take over my photo taking so he gets to carry that heavy thing, too. Well, to make a long story short....after eating lunch in Branson and shopping, we backtracked to the restaurant and sure enough they had the lens cover.
ANDDDDDDD...when we got home and pulled the bikes into the garage, then on the floor next to the Tahoe was his guardian angel. He was so happy.
Finished up our weekend with a visit to see my aunt and uncle from Bald Knob along with my cousin and spouse visiting from Indiana. It was too short a visit, but we had been so selfish with our travels over the weekend we missed out on family. We hope they forgive us.
Labs have been going very well. CRP is nothing.... Platelets were a little low last week (50), but now they are back up to 70.... He feels wonderful. Although, he did get a little crabby at times over the weekend after coming off the Dex on Friday. When that happened, we just kept our distance.
Had the worst food any restaurant could serve while we were in Eureka. Don't go to Sante Fe.... ChemoSabe and I went there before we got married -- 23 years ago. I tripped on a step and twisted my ankle and he had to carry me out... We have been there a few times over the years and the food was wonderful. We stopped in there a couple of months ago and they were getting ready for new management to reopen. I can tell you...they will be looking for another new management soon. Awful. And all we had was nachos. The beef tasted like dog food and looked like the Fancy Feast chunks.
Had the BEST BURGERS ever in Ft. Smith on Sunday. We stopped by big brother's house for a couple of hours and he fixed burgers on the grill. We had a very good visit, too. We will be back to spend the night with them in a couple of weeks.
ChemoSabe and I have really gained some more weight. The doctor keeps warning him about his. I keep warning myself about mine. We decided since he is getting up so early he could wake me up and we could walk the hood for about 30 minutes each morning. Well, he woke me up at 4:30 yesterday morning and I really wanted to get up, but he had snored all night and I was beat. We are still going to commit to it. Our neighborhood is a walkers' hood. It is very curvy, hilly and peaceful. With a lot of trees and a safe feeling. So, we ARE going to do it.
I look at him and he looks better to me each day. Although his face is puffy at times and flushed from the Dex, he looks healthy and happy. It is just hard to believe he has gone through the last year of all the meds and chemo. What a fighter!
Well, I am looking out our upstairs office and I see those familiar lights coming up the drive and I hear the kids yapping. My baby is home.
Good night and Love -- Pepper I will post updated photos, soon.
Definition: a group of nine
I have Webster dictionary as one of my favorites on the Internet. Since Yahoo doesn't feature a "Word for the Day" any more, I discovered today that Webster has it. So, here we go.
Ennead, meaning nine reminds me of the medication ChemoSabe is taking now. Ennead a day...in some form or fashion. Here they are:
B-6; Acyclovir; Rantidine; Gabapentin; Ecotrin; Tamaflu; Crestor; Velcade; Dexamethasone; Revilmid
The bulk of these are daily, twice a day. Yesterday began the second week of the 28 day cycle which means he started the Dex yesterday for four days. After Friday he will be off them for two weeks. Needless to say... he was up at 1:30 a.m. today and it is 8:00 p.m. and he still hasn't gotten home from work. He had to make a run to Ft. Smith for interviews.
We had a wonderful weekend alone. The rain chased us from the time we left the house on the bikes until the time we returned home. We got soaked once in between Berryville and Harrison for about five miles. Then, nothing.
ChemoSabe lost a guardian angel strap he had on his handlebars that his mom gave to him some years back. I thought I saw something come off his bike on the interstate, but by then it was too late. While we shopped in Branson we looked in every store for one. Even the Christian stores in Eureka had nothing to compare.
He also lost the lens cover to my very good camera. You see, he is still in training to take over my photo taking so he gets to carry that heavy thing, too. Well, to make a long story short....after eating lunch in Branson and shopping, we backtracked to the restaurant and sure enough they had the lens cover.
ANDDDDDDD...when we got home and pulled the bikes into the garage, then on the floor next to the Tahoe was his guardian angel. He was so happy.
Finished up our weekend with a visit to see my aunt and uncle from Bald Knob along with my cousin and spouse visiting from Indiana. It was too short a visit, but we had been so selfish with our travels over the weekend we missed out on family. We hope they forgive us.
Labs have been going very well. CRP is nothing.... Platelets were a little low last week (50), but now they are back up to 70.... He feels wonderful. Although, he did get a little crabby at times over the weekend after coming off the Dex on Friday. When that happened, we just kept our distance.
Had the worst food any restaurant could serve while we were in Eureka. Don't go to Sante Fe.... ChemoSabe and I went there before we got married -- 23 years ago. I tripped on a step and twisted my ankle and he had to carry me out... We have been there a few times over the years and the food was wonderful. We stopped in there a couple of months ago and they were getting ready for new management to reopen. I can tell you...they will be looking for another new management soon. Awful. And all we had was nachos. The beef tasted like dog food and looked like the Fancy Feast chunks.
Had the BEST BURGERS ever in Ft. Smith on Sunday. We stopped by big brother's house for a couple of hours and he fixed burgers on the grill. We had a very good visit, too. We will be back to spend the night with them in a couple of weeks.
ChemoSabe and I have really gained some more weight. The doctor keeps warning him about his. I keep warning myself about mine. We decided since he is getting up so early he could wake me up and we could walk the hood for about 30 minutes each morning. Well, he woke me up at 4:30 yesterday morning and I really wanted to get up, but he had snored all night and I was beat. We are still going to commit to it. Our neighborhood is a walkers' hood. It is very curvy, hilly and peaceful. With a lot of trees and a safe feeling. So, we ARE going to do it.
I look at him and he looks better to me each day. Although his face is puffy at times and flushed from the Dex, he looks healthy and happy. It is just hard to believe he has gone through the last year of all the meds and chemo. What a fighter!
Well, I am looking out our upstairs office and I see those familiar lights coming up the drive and I hear the kids yapping. My baby is home.
Good night and Love -- Pepper I will post updated photos, soon.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Locomotion -- Word for the Day -- Thursday, September 3, 2009
Locomotion
Definition: an act or the power of moving from place to place
What a whirlwind the last few weeks. Before you know it I will be writing "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"!
Doctor's appointment for ChemoSabe on Tues., Aug 25 was good. Oh, Hell... it was awesome. All his labs are very good. His platelets were down a bit, but they are back up and running good this week. Weight was a topic. Bread, pasta, ice cream and all that good stuff.
MRI still shows those 25 lesions. The good news is: they are not growing. He will continue on the one year maintenance of which he has about four months left.
Doc wasn't too happy that he hasn't had a colonoscopy. She was insistent about it the last visit and he has not made an attempt to see our doctor about setting him up. It will be a requirement for the next visit which is December 3. I will keep you posted as I don't see this happening. He has never had one and swears he will never.....
He tried to get the steroids cut, but that was a no brainer.. So, he has been on them since Tuesday and tomorrow is the last day and we start again next Tuesday - Friday. Two weeks on -- two weeks off.
He is running like a locomotive. He has been getting up every morning this week around 1:00. Leaving the house no later than 5:30. Hmmm...I wonder if he has a girlfriend! ha
He is talking like a magpie. We usually talk once a day. Now we are talking at least three times a day and I can't get him off the phone. Going to bed or watching a good television show is disrupted by his talking. Last night I even left the room and he continued to talk as if I were still there. I came back in and pretended I had been listening the whole time.
That so reminds me of when my mom use to call. She loved talking to ChemoSabe. He could put the phone down and walk around the house and come back to the phone and she hadn't missed a breath. We still laugh about that. We had told her on occasion what we did and she didn't believe us.
We got that new roof on our house. Not the color I ordered, but that's another story. Got the new cover on our deck too. Took the old one off and put a metal one on. Now when the squirrels throw the hickor nuts down it sounds like a tree coming through the house.. Love it!! I can't wait to hear the rain.
We are iffy about travels over the holiday. Scattered thunderstorms are all in the forecast. I know I won't melt, but since ChemoSabe has hair now... Well, you know!
His hair has a lot of black in it and his eyebrows are mostly black. It is very healthy and thick. I got him a bottle of hairspray as he would use a bottle a week before MM. He doesn't use any now. Says he won't ever do that again. He is using the paste. Looks very goods.
With his energy, it puts a song in my mind that I can't get of. "Everybody's doin a brand new dance now .... Come on, Baby, do the locomotion." Now you know how old I am.
I am closing for now and I will get back with you sooner than later. Hope you all have a safe holiday. I am looking forward to the extra day even though I don't work on Friday.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
Definition: an act or the power of moving from place to place
What a whirlwind the last few weeks. Before you know it I will be writing "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year"!
Doctor's appointment for ChemoSabe on Tues., Aug 25 was good. Oh, Hell... it was awesome. All his labs are very good. His platelets were down a bit, but they are back up and running good this week. Weight was a topic. Bread, pasta, ice cream and all that good stuff.
MRI still shows those 25 lesions. The good news is: they are not growing. He will continue on the one year maintenance of which he has about four months left.
Doc wasn't too happy that he hasn't had a colonoscopy. She was insistent about it the last visit and he has not made an attempt to see our doctor about setting him up. It will be a requirement for the next visit which is December 3. I will keep you posted as I don't see this happening. He has never had one and swears he will never.....
He tried to get the steroids cut, but that was a no brainer.. So, he has been on them since Tuesday and tomorrow is the last day and we start again next Tuesday - Friday. Two weeks on -- two weeks off.
He is running like a locomotive. He has been getting up every morning this week around 1:00. Leaving the house no later than 5:30. Hmmm...I wonder if he has a girlfriend! ha
He is talking like a magpie. We usually talk once a day. Now we are talking at least three times a day and I can't get him off the phone. Going to bed or watching a good television show is disrupted by his talking. Last night I even left the room and he continued to talk as if I were still there. I came back in and pretended I had been listening the whole time.
That so reminds me of when my mom use to call. She loved talking to ChemoSabe. He could put the phone down and walk around the house and come back to the phone and she hadn't missed a breath. We still laugh about that. We had told her on occasion what we did and she didn't believe us.
We got that new roof on our house. Not the color I ordered, but that's another story. Got the new cover on our deck too. Took the old one off and put a metal one on. Now when the squirrels throw the hickor nuts down it sounds like a tree coming through the house.. Love it!! I can't wait to hear the rain.
We are iffy about travels over the holiday. Scattered thunderstorms are all in the forecast. I know I won't melt, but since ChemoSabe has hair now... Well, you know!
His hair has a lot of black in it and his eyebrows are mostly black. It is very healthy and thick. I got him a bottle of hairspray as he would use a bottle a week before MM. He doesn't use any now. Says he won't ever do that again. He is using the paste. Looks very goods.
With his energy, it puts a song in my mind that I can't get of. "Everybody's doin a brand new dance now .... Come on, Baby, do the locomotion." Now you know how old I am.
I am closing for now and I will get back with you sooner than later. Hope you all have a safe holiday. I am looking forward to the extra day even though I don't work on Friday.
Good afternoon and Love -- Pepper
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