In my last post, I reported that my doctor was pleased with my progress and wanted another blood test in order to judge the next steps. I had the test on April 15, My Beloved Wife's birthday, also tax day and, all around, a day for giving till it hurts!
My Immunoglobulin M number was reported at 265; that is, within normal limits. A few days later, my doctor said, electronically, "My recommendation and advice is that we are done with treatment." I will return to quarterly followups with the doctor.
That is wonderful news! My health and energy level certainly agree with this conclusion. I feel very well, indeed.
After the first occurance of this illness, chemotherapy gave me about ten years of symptom-free living and so I have high hopes that this will be the outcome of my most recent rounds of chemo. I hope to enjoy my life to the fullest.
Now if the virus would go away, we'd be all set!
Friday, April 24, 2020
Friday, April 10, 2020
Chemo postponed
When the COVID-19 crisis erupted, my appointments for chemo were postponed. I assume that skilled medical providers are required for virus cases; certainly more dire than mine. I also assume that I was postponed because I have been making very good progress and that I would most likely be well whether my chemo infusions were carried out one month or three months or even six months from now. I also assume that there are other patients who are not so lucky and that chemo was carried on because to not continue promptly might mean a dangerous regression in their illness.
Today, Dr. Hema5, working from home and distancing himself from danger, telephoned me to discuss my progress. He agreed that my progress has been very good and that my numbers have improved remarkably. After discussion, we agreed to postpone chemo until after I have visited with him in person in June or July. We also agreed that I would have a blood test next week.
If the numbers from next weeks blood test continue to show the improvement that I listed in my just previous post, I think there is at least a small possibility that further treatments will not be required! Fingers crossed!
I feel very fine indeed. I am back to my regular exercise routine. I have picked up my camera and am photographing whatever I can safely find in COVIDfinement. I am thinking once again about vacation season out west.
Please stay safe, dear friends. I look forward to an early opportunity to see you happy and well.
Today, Dr. Hema5, working from home and distancing himself from danger, telephoned me to discuss my progress. He agreed that my progress has been very good and that my numbers have improved remarkably. After discussion, we agreed to postpone chemo until after I have visited with him in person in June or July. We also agreed that I would have a blood test next week.
If the numbers from next weeks blood test continue to show the improvement that I listed in my just previous post, I think there is at least a small possibility that further treatments will not be required! Fingers crossed!
I feel very fine indeed. I am back to my regular exercise routine. I have picked up my camera and am photographing whatever I can safely find in COVIDfinement. I am thinking once again about vacation season out west.
Please stay safe, dear friends. I look forward to an early opportunity to see you happy and well.
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Beware the Infusions of March.
With apologies to Willy Shake.
On the first two weekdays of March, I appeared at the infusion room for my periodic poisioning, politely referred to by the professionals as chemotherapy. This was the fourth session of six.
On both days, my appointments were at roughly 10:00 am. On both days, the entire process, from check-in to check-out, was just about two hours!
On both days, so far, fingers crossed, I have had no side-effects at all! I am very glad to report this and very sorry to not have a more interesting report for you all.
I report to Dr. Hema5 a few days before every infusion session. At each visit, my blood is tested to judge my general health and suitability for continuing infusions and, as well, to judge my overall progress. I have access to my results and the news is quite good. Immunoglobulin M is the first antibody to appear in the response to initial exposure to an infection. In my case, the relevent infection is cancer.
I have been very encouraged by the trend. The reference range, that is, the range that our doctors consider acceptable and not remarkable is 45.0 mg/dL to 281.0 mg/dL. I've noted my recent history and the progression is:
10/22/2019 Before treatment 2285
11/8 Before treatment 2093
12/23 After session 1 926
1/13/2020 After session 2 757
1/30 After session 2 485
2/27 After session 3 364
Wow! I am getting very close to normal, that is, as normal as a Waldenstrom's patient can reasonably expect to get!
Woo hoo!
I will report more as I have news.
On the first two weekdays of March, I appeared at the infusion room for my periodic poisioning, politely referred to by the professionals as chemotherapy. This was the fourth session of six.
On both days, my appointments were at roughly 10:00 am. On both days, the entire process, from check-in to check-out, was just about two hours!
On both days, so far, fingers crossed, I have had no side-effects at all! I am very glad to report this and very sorry to not have a more interesting report for you all.
I report to Dr. Hema5 a few days before every infusion session. At each visit, my blood is tested to judge my general health and suitability for continuing infusions and, as well, to judge my overall progress. I have access to my results and the news is quite good. Immunoglobulin M is the first antibody to appear in the response to initial exposure to an infection. In my case, the relevent infection is cancer.
I have been very encouraged by the trend. The reference range, that is, the range that our doctors consider acceptable and not remarkable is 45.0 mg/dL to 281.0 mg/dL. I've noted my recent history and the progression is:
10/22/2019 Before treatment 2285
11/8 Before treatment 2093
12/23 After session 1 926
1/13/2020 After session 2 757
1/30 After session 2 485
2/27 After session 3 364
Wow! I am getting very close to normal, that is, as normal as a Waldenstrom's patient can reasonably expect to get!
Woo hoo!
I will report more as I have news.
Tuesday, February 4, 2020
Three down and three to go.
Yesterday and today, February 4, I was infused with Bendamustine. This was session three of six. I am now 50% complete. Woo hoo!
While I have previously had mostly nuisance side-effects, so far, I feel fine and have high hopes that the side-effects will be absent or, at least, minor.
The entire process only takes about 90 minutes, a very welcome change from the nearly all day process from ten years ago. The very sensitive and caring Nurse K skillfully and almost painlessly inserted the needle through which the infusion is administered. She's a pro!
We celebrated with a late lunch at The Good Mexican Place. I even enjoyed a few sips of beer, remembering that alcohol has not been a very good compliment to chemo in sessions past.
My thanks to Cousin M with whom I whiled away the time in a long, pleasant FaceTime visit. Thanks, Cuz!
While I have previously had mostly nuisance side-effects, so far, I feel fine and have high hopes that the side-effects will be absent or, at least, minor.
The entire process only takes about 90 minutes, a very welcome change from the nearly all day process from ten years ago. The very sensitive and caring Nurse K skillfully and almost painlessly inserted the needle through which the infusion is administered. She's a pro!
We celebrated with a late lunch at The Good Mexican Place. I even enjoyed a few sips of beer, remembering that alcohol has not been a very good compliment to chemo in sessions past.
My thanks to Cousin M with whom I whiled away the time in a long, pleasant FaceTime visit. Thanks, Cuz!
Monday, January 13, 2020
A visit to the Doc
Following each round of my treatment, I am scheduled to visit with Dr. Hema5 to assess my progress and address any issues. I saw him today.
He reviewed my last treatments and asked for my report of the failed administration of rituxan and any side-effects I've suffered. While I have been experiencing moderate side-effects, none are as severe as those suffered after round one; those that drove me to the emergency room and to the hospital.
Dr. Hema5 outlined three options. The option he recommended and the one I prefer, is to continue with bendamustine alone. I inquired as the the effectiveness of bendamustine alone compared to the usual combination of bendamustine and rituxan. He reported that there has never been a head-to-head comparison made and so the result is unknown.
After some discussion, we agreed to continue with bendamustine alone. I report for round three early next month. I feel very happy that we have a solid plan to move forward. Off I step into the unknown!
He reviewed my last treatments and asked for my report of the failed administration of rituxan and any side-effects I've suffered. While I have been experiencing moderate side-effects, none are as severe as those suffered after round one; those that drove me to the emergency room and to the hospital.
Dr. Hema5 outlined three options. The option he recommended and the one I prefer, is to continue with bendamustine alone. I inquired as the the effectiveness of bendamustine alone compared to the usual combination of bendamustine and rituxan. He reported that there has never been a head-to-head comparison made and so the result is unknown.
After some discussion, we agreed to continue with bendamustine alone. I report for round three early next month. I feel very happy that we have a solid plan to move forward. Off I step into the unknown!
Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Save Bill!
Yesterday's disaster was infusion of rituxan, a drug for which I have twice had very bad reactions. Today's quick and easy infusion was a different drug, bendamustine. It went perfectly smoothly and was done in about an hour! As always, my vital signs were taken after the infusion. My pulse was a bit elevated and my blood pressure a bit low, but I felt fine. I was released!
I felt so good that we celebrated with a fine Italian meal at a nearby local restaurant.
I intend to ask Dr. Hema5 to be taken off of rituxan at my visit next week.
I felt so good that we celebrated with a fine Italian meal at a nearby local restaurant.
I intend to ask Dr. Hema5 to be taken off of rituxan at my visit next week.
Kill Bill
I undertook my next series of chemotherapy yesterday. It was a disaster.
When, after getting infused with saline and taking oral medications, they began the rituxan, I began to have blurry vision and felt very faint, as if I were about to pass out. We rang the call button and Nurse K appeared. She took my blood pressure and found it an alarming 80/42! She stopped the rituxan and two more nurses appeared. I assume, in a condition like this, three heads are better than one.
Doctor Hema5 was telephoned who evidently suggested that I be given an opportunity to recover and, that, after a period of time, the rituxan be restarted.
My Adorable Wife had packed a lunch for us, a bit healthier than the usual snacks offered at the infusion room that are high in salt and low in actual useful nutrition. When she offered lunch, I could barely choke down two bites.
In the early afternoon, the rituxan was restarted and the symptoms re-emerged rather soon. New symptoms appeared, as well; chill, shivering and nausea. They supplied me with these cute little bags of which I took full advantage.
In view of all this, it was decided to cease the rituxan. I am disappointed because my treatment is not moving forward smoothly. I report again today and I will, of course, be fascinated to see the result.
When we finally arrived home at about 6:15 pm, I laid on my bed fully clothed to nap a bit. I awoke at about 7:30 am! After a 13 hour nap I feel much better.
When, after getting infused with saline and taking oral medications, they began the rituxan, I began to have blurry vision and felt very faint, as if I were about to pass out. We rang the call button and Nurse K appeared. She took my blood pressure and found it an alarming 80/42! She stopped the rituxan and two more nurses appeared. I assume, in a condition like this, three heads are better than one.
Doctor Hema5 was telephoned who evidently suggested that I be given an opportunity to recover and, that, after a period of time, the rituxan be restarted.
My Adorable Wife had packed a lunch for us, a bit healthier than the usual snacks offered at the infusion room that are high in salt and low in actual useful nutrition. When she offered lunch, I could barely choke down two bites.
In the early afternoon, the rituxan was restarted and the symptoms re-emerged rather soon. New symptoms appeared, as well; chill, shivering and nausea. They supplied me with these cute little bags of which I took full advantage.
In view of all this, it was decided to cease the rituxan. I am disappointed because my treatment is not moving forward smoothly. I report again today and I will, of course, be fascinated to see the result.
When we finally arrived home at about 6:15 pm, I laid on my bed fully clothed to nap a bit. I awoke at about 7:30 am! After a 13 hour nap I feel much better.
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