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.
Friday, April 10, 2020
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.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Let's take a ride in an ambulance.
It has been a disappointing couple of days here in lymphomaland.
I awoke with a fever, high blood pressure, high pulse and atrial fibrillation, also known as a-fib. I have a 30+ year history with a-fib because of my history with cardiac arrythmia. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly — out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. Atrial fibrillation symptoms often include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness. Atrial fibrillation is an often rapid heart rate that can increase the risk of strokes, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Ummmm, no thanks.
After going through a short period of shock and denial, My Adorable Wife drove me to the Emergency Room. After I described my issue, I was whisked to a treatment room where four (!) professionals showed up to attend to me. I was given an infusion for saline solution and also a shot with a calcium channel blocker. In less than an hour, my heart returned to regular sinus rhythm. Whew!
However, (don't you hate it when there is a however) my blood sample revealed an increased level of lactic acid. After many doctor and nurse huddles and many calls to the on-call physicians, I was decided that I should be admitted to the hospital. Hence, the ambulance.
At the hospital, I was put through the exact same procedure as at the ER. "Tell me your symptoms." Saline infusion, electrocardiogram, blood tests, vital signs, and more. I also had a realtime heart monitor attached that communicates wirelessly with the nurses station.
I barely got any sleep because there was a near constant parade of nurses wanting to give me something or take something, usually blood.
By morning, the doctors had concluded that the after-effects of chemotherapy along with dehydration had triggered the a-fib. Since they had pumped me with seemingly gallons of saline fluids, along with a dose of calcium channel blocker, no irregularities in my heart rhythm were seen. With respect to the lactate level in my blood, I was asked to follow up with my primary physician. I was then released.
I feel weak and as if I have aged about 20 years.
I will see my primary phsician and Dr. Hema5 in the upcoming week and, of course, drink much more water!
I awoke with a fever, high blood pressure, high pulse and atrial fibrillation, also known as a-fib. I have a 30+ year history with a-fib because of my history with cardiac arrythmia. During atrial fibrillation, the heart's two upper chambers (the atria) beat chaotically and irregularly — out of coordination with the two lower chambers (the ventricles) of the heart. Atrial fibrillation symptoms often include heart palpitations, shortness of breath and weakness. Atrial fibrillation is an often rapid heart rate that can increase the risk of strokes, heart failure and other heart-related complications.
Ummmm, no thanks.
After going through a short period of shock and denial, My Adorable Wife drove me to the Emergency Room. After I described my issue, I was whisked to a treatment room where four (!) professionals showed up to attend to me. I was given an infusion for saline solution and also a shot with a calcium channel blocker. In less than an hour, my heart returned to regular sinus rhythm. Whew!
However, (don't you hate it when there is a however) my blood sample revealed an increased level of lactic acid. After many doctor and nurse huddles and many calls to the on-call physicians, I was decided that I should be admitted to the hospital. Hence, the ambulance.
At the hospital, I was put through the exact same procedure as at the ER. "Tell me your symptoms." Saline infusion, electrocardiogram, blood tests, vital signs, and more. I also had a realtime heart monitor attached that communicates wirelessly with the nurses station.
I barely got any sleep because there was a near constant parade of nurses wanting to give me something or take something, usually blood.
By morning, the doctors had concluded that the after-effects of chemotherapy along with dehydration had triggered the a-fib. Since they had pumped me with seemingly gallons of saline fluids, along with a dose of calcium channel blocker, no irregularities in my heart rhythm were seen. With respect to the lactate level in my blood, I was asked to follow up with my primary physician. I was then released.
I feel weak and as if I have aged about 20 years.
I will see my primary phsician and Dr. Hema5 in the upcoming week and, of course, drink much more water!
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