Good News!

George and I were in Little Rock this week for me to have some tests and see my doctor.
The bone marrow biopsy showed only 8.5% myleoma cells in my marrow. In July there was 23% myeloma cells. The PET scan also showed less activity.

The Velcade/dex IV that I have once a week is working well. My doctor wants me to continue this for another 3 months. I'll return to LR, have another bone marrow biopsy and see the doctor then.

:)Dotty

Good News from Little Rock

Hi Everyone,

We just got home from Little Rock last night after having test Monday and seeing my doctor Wednesday. My doctor is very pleased with the response of the myeloma to the Velcade/dex that I've been on the last 5 weeks. The myeloma numbers have dropped after each treatment and are the lowest they've been since I was diagnosed in late April 2009.

If the drugs continue to work like they've been doing, she thinks I will be in remission in a couple of months.

I so appreciate you concern and your prayers. Please pray that the Velcade will continue to work and will put me in remission.

Love to you all,
Dotty

3rd Velcade Treatment

Yesterday I had my 3rd Velcade/dex treatment. Won't overnight more blood to Little Rock for myeloma tests until Aug. 3rd.

My red and white counts had risen, which is great. Platelets had dropped to 110, but still in safe range.

Test Results

I overnighted blood to UAMS on Tuesday so they could do tests for the myeloma. I got the results this morning, and the myeloma numbers have dropped some. This is great news. Hopefully, this means that the Velcade/dex I'm on now is working.

Thanks for everyone's concern and prayers.

God Bless,
Dotty

Started Velcade Today

I had my first IV of Velcade/dex this afternoon. Hopefully, when I get blood test results of the myeloma markers a week from Friday, they will show that the Velcade is making the myeloma decrease.

We have been overrun the last 3 week with inch long millipedes. When we get up each morning we kill between 30-50 inside the house. We live pretty surrounded by trees (woods) and they like that environment. They tend to appear about every 3 summers.
When they are finally gone, I plan to have the carpets cleaned, as I know they are full of dead millipede pieces. YUK!

:)Dotty

Starting Velcade

Saw my local oncologist today and will start the Velcade/dexamethasone tomorrow. Hope it makes the myeloma numbers continue to drop.

Home From Little Rock

Spent Tuesday 7/6 having tests from 7:30 am until around 4:30 pm. They revealed that the myeloma in my marrow is at the lowest it's been since I was diagnosed a bit over a year ago, which is good. The doctor took me off Thalidomide because it was causing severe neuropathy -- pain, swelling, numbness in arms/hands & legs/feet. She put me on Neurontin to see if that will help the neuropathy. I'll be starting Velcade and dexamethasone next week. Will be having them once a week by IV. I took Velcade/dex for 6 weeks last winter and it did seem to help. We're hoping this will bring the myeloma numbers on down.

We didn't get away from the clinic until after 5 pm yesterday. After we stopped for a quick supper, it was 6pm before we left Little Rock. So, we didn't get home until 9:40pm.

Over all, the results were positive. Your prayers and thoughts are very much appreciated.

Love,
Dotty

Back to Little Rock

George and I will be going back to Little Rock Monday, July 5th. I have tests all day Tuesday -- blood work, MRI, bone marrow biopsy and PET scan. Have nothing on Wednesday and see my doctor Thursday around 2pm. I'll then learn the test results and recommendations for continuing treatment. Prayers for good test results would be appreciated.

:)Dotty

Home

We made it home today. Packing up the apartment in LR was almost like moving! So glad to be home.

I won't be posting daily, but will try to do updates once a week.

Home, Home, Home!

Today I was discharged by my doctor to go home for a month! Just after July 4th we'll have to come back for some tests, but don't think any long stays are in our near future.

I will be taking medications to help suppress the myeloma that remains.

Thanks again for all you support and prayers.

Another Day

Just had blood tests today. Will see the doctor tomorrow to learn what the next steps in treatment will be and if we'll be able to go home for a while.

Just Waiting

Not much has been happening the last few days, which is really good. My blood counts have been rising like they are supposed to do. I'm still having IV antibiotics and anti-fungals each day.

Hopefully, tomorrow we'll learn when I will be discharged to go home.

Day + 10

Today has been a pretty good day, as I've felt well except for some mouth sores. I was running a little fever, so they added a 2 hour IV antibiotic to my round of meds. My blood counts are beginning to recover, so my APN was very happy.

Day + 9 After Transplant

My sister ended up having the back surgery late this afternoon, instead of last night. It went well and we hope will solve a serious problem.

I have felt better today -- just tired, which is part of the process. We're just watching the blood test numbers each day hoping for the good numbers to climb and the bad numbers to disappear!

Thanks for your prayers.

Long Day and My Sister

First, please pray for my sister Judy as she is having surgery tonight at 8pm. The surgeon is not sure what is wrong, so pray for direction for him.

I'm at the low point, as far as feeling "poorly", in the transplant process. Yesterday I had to have a unit of platelets and today had to have 2 units of blood, plus two infusions of potassium. They tell me these things are all expected. Hopefully, my counts will start to rise tomorrow or the next day which will help with all these problems.

The intestinal problems have improved since I was put on a very bland diet (think white rice!) and some medications.

I continue to be thankful for your caring and prayers.

Day 6 Past Transplant

Today is considered "Day 6" post transplant. A nurse told me I probably have at least 4 or 5 more "yukky" days before my counts start to rise and I feel better.

A praise is that, so far, all the test results are in line with what is expected. George and I are just trying everything we can to keep me infection free.

Love,
Dotty

Another Yukky Day

They tell me things will improve as my blood count numbers start to rise. However, in the meantime, it's a pretty "yukky" day -- mainly stomach issues.

Feeling a Bit Better Today

Yesterday I felt pretty bad with nausea, etc. That is some better today. So far, all my blood counts are doing what's expected at this point in the treatment.

Please pray that I'll avoid any infections, that the stem cells that were re-infused last Tuesday will quickly begin to produce the needed blood cells and that I'll go into remission.


Thanks for your love and caring.
Dotty

Today

Today I just received the IV antibiotic and anti-fungal meds. However some of my blood test "numbers" were quite raised, so they will be watching them closely the next few days. I'm still retaining a lot of fluid, so walking is difficult.

Please pray the excess fluid will disperse and that the raised numbers will quickly come back into normal levels.

Love,
Dotty

Another Long Day

Had a breathing treatment this morning to help ward off pneumonia then later the usual IV antibiotics and anti-fungals. Having some problems walking because of fluid retention. Also, having some intestinal problems due to all the drugs and "big chemo".

Please pray that I'll avoid any infections and serious intestinal problems.

Will probably have several pretty bad days of crashing after having had, had 3 days of high dose steroid. I've told George to just hang on and give hugs when needed.

Love you all.
Dotty

Change of Plans

Today was a long day. When we arrived at the center at 8:45, the elevators were turned off because of a fire alarm and we needed to be on the 7th floor. A computer on one of the upper floors had shorted out and fireman were all over. It was quickly resolved.

I ended up getting the total amount of stem cells for this transplant today, so didn't get back to the apartment until around 3:30pm. Quickly went to bed for a 3 hour nap.

They tell me I will start feeling the bad side effects from the "big chemo" in 4 or 5 days. Just hope they aren't too bad. Please continue to pray that the transplant will work and give me a long remission.

Love,
Dotty

Tomrrow's The Big Day

Today I just received IV antibiotic, anti-fungal, strong steroid and lab work. I have the steroid a total of 4 days Monday through Wednesday. This drug makes my legs swell which causes walking to be difficult and also causes insomnia. About Friday I'll crash after being off the drug for a couple of day. I've warned George to just hang on during those days.

Tomorrow and Wed. I will be receiving my stem cells back in my bloodstream. From there they should migrate to my bone marrow and begin to rebuild my immune system and other blood cells. Please pray that this happens and that I don't contract any infections, etc., while white counts are non-existent.

Love you all,
Dotty

Point Of No Return

Today I reached the point of no return, having had the "big chemo" -- melphalan. As it kills the cells in the bone marrow, I'll be wide open for any kind of infection. My doctor is taking all sorts of precautions by giving IV antibiotics, anti-fungals and other things.

From this point I just have to have faith that the melphalan will kill all the myeloma, and that the stem cells will take root and provide me with all the different blood cells I need.

Sharon, a good friend who also has myeloma, will be going through this same process at Baylor in Dallas starting this week. Please keep her in your prayers, too.

Your caring, prayers and comments are so appreciated.

Busy Day

We decided to go shopping for the rest of the things we need for the apartment before I have the chemo tomorrow. Got that done and things put away.

Had an appointment at 3pm at the transplant unit. Had blood tests, the dressing on the central line changed and on hour IV of an antibiotic and anti-fungal.

Have felt well this last week. Will have the "big chemo" tomorrow around 1:30pm.

Thanks for your prayers and for the comments you leave on my blog. They are so encouraging.

Love,
Dotty

Making Progress

Saw the doctor today and plans are:

Sat. - start IV antibiotic/anti-fungals (think these will be daily for a while)

Sun. - have melphalan (the "big" chemo) by IV along with a bunch of "back up" drugs -- was told to keep ice in my mouth for 2 hours before having the IV, during the IV and for an hour after the IV. This is supposed to help prevent mouth sores and other digestive tract problems.

Mon. - same as Saturday

Tues./Wed. - My stem cells will be infused over two days.

I'm not sure what the exact plans past Wed. are, hope to learn more tomorrow.

I'm back to wearing a mask anytime I leave the apartment, as my doc doesn't want me to catch anything.

Your prayers for following are appreciated:
1. That the Melphalan will kill all the myeloma
2. That I won't have any severe side effects from the melphalan -- infections, digestive tract problems or mouth sores
3. That the transplant will work and give me years of remission.

Love you all,
Dotty

Tests and a Nap!

Had to be at the hospital at 6:30 this morning for a PET/CT scan. It was sooo cold in that room that they wrapped me in warm blankets before sliding me into the PET tube. I got so comfortable I snoozed a bit. At (:30 I had a lot of blood tests and then a bone marrow biopsy at 11:30. The biopsy was a little painful, but not too bad. We picked up chicken for lunch and then both took long naps.

I think we've finally gotten everything in it's place in the apartment. Tomorrow I see the doctor, have a central line placed in my neck and learn my schedule for the next week.

Back In Little Rock, Again

We arrived back in LR today around 2pm, moved into the apartment and went to buy some groceries. I have to be at the hospital at 6:30am tomorrow for a PET/CT scan, blood tests and then a bone marrow biopsy (not my favorite thing to do).

Friday I'll see the doctor and probably have a central line placed in my neck in anticipation of chemo in the next few days and then the transplant.

Thanks for your prayers.

Home Feels So Good

After another month in Little Rock receiving treatment, home felt so good when we arrived here Tuesday afternoon. I hate to think about having to go back next Wednesday.

Heading Home

Saw my doctor today and we can go home for a week. Have to be back at the clinic on Thursday, May 13. Will be having tests, chemo and the transplant between then and the next Monday.

Harvest Completed

Today was my last day of harvest. My total for the 4 days was 4.7 Million. Added to the 7.5 million from last month, I now have 12.2 million stem cells.

The collection process this time has been harder on my body. I've had to have blood twice, platelets twice, magnesium twice and potassium once. I'll begin to feel better after a few days.

We were at the center from 7:30am until 6pm today. After collection, a unit of blood and a unit of platelets, I had the catheter removed from my neck. So, I am much more comfortable.

Will have blood tests early Monday, see the doc around noon and hope to go home on Tuesday for a couple weeks.

Thanks for checking in and for the prayers.

HI, CHARLIE!!

Third Day Of Harvest

Harvest from yesterday was 1 million cell, so I have a total of 2.8 million for 2 days. The estimate for today is 1 million, but hoping for a bit more. I had to have more magnesium and a unit of blood today.

I felt a lot better today, so that is a praise. One more day of harvest, see the doctor on Monday and hope to go home for a couple of weeks on Tuesday.

Second Harvest Day

I harvested 1.8 million stem cells yesterday, which was more than the estimate. Today's estimate was 1.2 million.

I had to have platelets, magnesium and potassium today. After we got back to the apartment, I started breaking out in a few hives and took a couple of benadryl. No more broke out. I was probably having a reaction to the platelets.

I'm also having some stomach problems. Who knows what's causing them. Things could be much worse, so I'm thankful.

First Day of Harvest

I had the first harvest session this morning. This lasts for about 3 1/2 hours. Will know how many stem cells we got when we go back in the morning. An estimate was 1.4 million. We're hoping for at least that many or more.

The catheter is still a bit uncomfortable, but not really painful today. My main problem today is a headache, probably from the growth factor injections.

Praise and A Long Day

The insurance company did approve the Mozobil to be used to help me make stem cells. I got the first injection this afternoon and will start collection early tomorrow.

After lunch, they put a different catheter in my neck. This one is much more uncomfortable -- actually painful right now. Hope it's better by morning.

Thanks for your prayers concerning the approval of the Mozobil.

Weekend

Nothing new here. Have been going to the center twice a day for the growth factor injections. White counts are still rising. Hope to learn tomorrow that my insurance company has approved the use of the Mozobil again.

Will Need Mozobil

Although my white counts are rising, I learned today that I will need the high powered drug Mozobil for stem cell collection. This has to be approved by my insurance company. They approved it when I was here for collection in March, so we hope they will do so again. However, this is a worry.

I was able to stop all antibiotics today.

Thanks for checking in.

Counts Going Up

My white counts are continuing to go up, so I hope they reach the point where stem cells can be collected soon.

I'm hoping that this is the last day/night for the IV antibiotics. All the cultures have been negative.

Count Rising

Today was a calm day at the center -- no fire alarms!

My white counts continue to rise, which is great. All the blood cultures have come back negative, so the fever must has been from the mouth sores. Thankfully, they are gone!

Feeling Better

The mouth sores are so much better, so I'm feeling better in general. My white counts were up a bit more today.

We had a bit of excitement at the center this morning right after I sat down in a treatment chair. The fire alarms went off and the building had to be evacuated. We all had to go to the parking garage, but were allowed back in the building after about 30 minutes.

When we returned this afternoon to get my second growth factor injection, fire trucks were all around again. A different building in the complex had been evacuated. Have no idea what was going on.

Loss Of A Friend

Our friend Gwen from Tennessee lost her battle with cancer last night. She's now at home with the Lord and free from pain. Please pray that God will comfort her family.

Better This Afternoon

They think the fever I've had is a result of the mouth sores from the chemo. "Just in case", they have me on two strong IV antibiotics.

However, my mouth seems to be getting better. So, hopefully, mouth problems and fever will both disappear quickly.

It looks like my white counts are beginning to recover, which is a good sign.

Running A Fever

This morning at 8am I went in for an injection and blood work. We decided to wait for the test results "just in case". Turns out I needed 2 units of blood, as my hemoglobin was only 7.5. No wonder I was feeling so tired and out of breath. The advanced practice nurse also ordered more tests, as my temp was a bit elevated. However, she really thinks the temp is the result of my badly irritated mouth. She told me
she think my counts are beginning to turn around and head up, which is good news.

Around 8pm I checked my temp and it was 101. So had to contact the doctor on call. He had us start an IV infusion of an antibiotic they had given us "just in case". We did that, so I hope it will take care of whatever is causing the fever. They'll check me out good at the center in the morning.

No Playing With Knives

My platelets were pretty low yesterday, so George banned me from using any sharp knives in the kitchen. They were even lower today, so I received a bag of platelets late this afternoon.

My mouth is a bit better today, as the medicated rinse is helping. I'm having some bone pain, including my skull. This is a side effect of the growth factor injections used to raise my counts.

I'm not complaining, as it will all be worth it if I can harvest more stem cells for use in the future.

Thanks so much for your comments, emails and prayers.

Feeling Sort Of Yukky

As a result of the chemo, I've developed a very sore mouth and throat. They've given me two mouth rinses to help, and have told me when my counts come back up the mouth problem will disappear.

Also, with my blood counts so low, I just feel "yukky". Hopefully, the counts will start rising tomorrow.

Another 2 Shot Day

I've felt some better today. My counts are going down quickly, which is what they are supposed to do. Maybe today was the "bottom" and they'll start climbing tomorrow.

Wednesday

Oops! Forgot to post to my blog on Wednesday. After a bounce on Tuesday, my counts dropped Wednesday. This is expected. Hopefully, they will bottom out quickly and begin to climb toward the point where the harvest can begin.

In the meantime, I'll be going to the center twice a day for the growth factor injections. Since the growth factor causes your marrow to increase white cell production, it makes your bones ache. It's not too bad, and medicine takes care of the pain.

Another Day

Counts were higher today, so not sure what that means as it's much quicker than before. Will see what tomorrow's numbers bring.

I'm feeling some better, as the effects of the chemo are less as the days go by.

2 - A- Days

Today I stated getting growth factor injections twice a day to try and get ready for another stem cell harvest when the numbers rise enough.

Still feeling a bit yukky from the 4 days of chemo and had to bring two potassium infusers home with me tonight since that is low. You fix one thing, it messes up something else.

Pray that our friend Gwen will be able to go home to Tennessee tomorrow for a week. She really needs the break.

God Bless,
Dotty

Black Bag Gone

I got rid of the black bag today, but after 4 days of 24 hour a day chemo, was not feeling well. Plus I was very low on phosphorus, so after 4 hours at the center came home hooked up to a bottle of phosphorus -- it just ran out, so unhooked it. Am feeling some better, so it must have helped.

Will start the growth factor injections twice a day tomorrow. Hopefully, they will work quicker this time and I can get to harvest sooner.

Thanks for checking in and for the prayers.

One day of chemo to go

I should be rid of the "little black bag" of chemo by 3pm tomorrow. I'll then start growth factor injections twice a day on Monday. Hopefully, my counts will quickly rise and I can do the next harvest.

Please pray for our friend Gwen here in LR, who is still having major health problems.

Thanks for your prayers.

2 down, 2 to go

Two days of chemo behind me and 2 to go. Feeling pretty well.

The weather has been beautiful in Little Rock, with trees and flower blooming everywhere.

1 Day Down, 3 To Go

I have one day of chemo behind me with 3 to go. We were at the center for 3 hours today. My sodium was low, so was told to eat a lot of salty foods. Some of the chemo drugs can cause sodium to drop.

Not feeling too bad, a bit fuzzy headed and some fluid retention. Hmmm -- more salt will make the retention worse. Thankfully, I'll get rid of the bag on Sunday.

Chemo -- Hurry Up And Wait

I think the treatments you get at MIRT are cutting edge and the nurses, tech, etc. are wonderful. However, the "waits" are terrible. My appointment for chemo this morning was 8am, so we got to the center at 7:30. I was finally called back at 9:15 for blood to be drawn. Was told they had to wait for results to come back before chemo could be started. Was called back again around 11:30, had a 30 minute infusion of a steroid (dexamethasone) and then the "little black bag" was hooked up to the catheter in my neck. This little bag will be with me around the clock until about noon on Sunday. It contains the 5 chemo drugs I'm receiving.

After all that, we returned to the apartment and I took a 3 1/2 hour nap!

Please pray for our friend Gwen who is having treatment here for myeloma and another cancer. She is having some problems and would really love to be able to go home for a couple of weeks. Pray that the problems will resolve and she'll have that time at home.

Thanks for checking in and for your prayers.

"Let Me Bite Your Neck"!!

First thing this morning, I had to have a triple catheter put in the juggler vein in my neck. The people in the unit who do this procedure are great. This catheter will be used to infuse the 6 chemo drugs I'll be getting for the next 4 days -- 24 hours a day. Needless to say, I will be glad when Sunday arrives and this part of the treatment is over.

I saw my doctor and she said she is giving me reduced dosages of the drugs because of my small size and medical history of polio. Please pray that this dose will kill the myeloma and stimulate stem cell production. Also, pray that I'll avoid any infections or other complications.

Back In Little Rock, Process Started

We arrived in LR yesterday -- what a day to spend Easter! We moved into the same apartment we'd had before, bought groceries and put everything away.

Had to be at the clinic at 7:30 this morning for bloodwork and a bone marrow biopsy. After the biopsy, for which I had taken some meds, I came back to the apt. and I slept for about 4 hours. Since my white counts were good and high, we went to I-Hop for an early supper -- yummy French toast.

Tomorrow I see the doctor, have a catheter "installed" in my neck and hopefully start the 4 days of chemo.

Thanks for checking in on me!

Back To Little Rock

George and I will be leaving Sunday Morning for Little Rock. I have to be in the clinic at 7:30 Monday morning for blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy. Tuesday I see the doctor, have a catheter put in my neck and possibly start the 4 day, 24 hour chemo. Not looking forward to that.

We will be staying in the same apartment, so that is good.

My Brother Chuck

After a year long battle with a number of cancers starting with lung cancer from 40 years of smoking, my younger brother Chuck went to be with the Lord yesterday. We will all miss him so much.

"I" Can Do It

Boy, do you remember when your small children said "I can do it" and it resulted in a mess? Well, I had to go to town Wed. for bloodwork at the local cancer center. George wanted to take me, but I told him that "I could do it", as he needed to catch up on some things at work. Sooo, I took myself to the CC, Target and Kolh's.

Each time I would have to get my electric scooter from the back of the Jeep. That's not a problem, as it has a little hoist that does all the work. However, I have to reach up and pull the back hatch on my Jeep down. After not having done that in 5 weeks, the muscles in my back revolted. I've been on pain meds and muscle relaxers since. It's a tiny bit better this morning, but I can tell it's going to be another day in the recliner for me.

Home

We arrived back home in Longview around 2 this afternoon. Other than being very tired, I feel okay.

Anyone want to come over and unpack all this "stuff" that came home with us?

Starting Over

Afraid I didn't get the news I wanted this morning when I saw the doctor, although I was really expecting what she said. We will be going home tomorrow 2 weeks and then come back 4/4 for more chemo and another try at stem cell harvest. I only have enough right now for one transplant, and it's important to have enough for another transplant at a later time if needed.

Needless to say we're very disappointed, as it looks like we'll be living in Little Rock from April 4th until sometime in June, with maybe a week back home sometime in May.

Would appreciate prayers for strength & health to go through all this again.

Finished with harvest

It has been a long 4 days of harvest. However, I ended up with 7.5 million stem cells. The doctor in the collection center told us that is a good number for a "hard collector". Now, I've collected Depression Glass, vintage jewelry, etc. for years. George has often called me a compulsive collector. But, now I've learned I'm a "hard collector"!

I'll see the doctor on Monday and we hope to be back in Longview Tuesday.

Our daughter told us the "lawn fairies" had appeared yesterday and now the lawn doesn't look like a local cow pasture. Thanks so much to Bill, Buddy and Sharon. Love you guys!

Please keep my brother in your prayers as he fights a very serious cancer.

3rd Day of Harvest

As we had anticipated my cell collection went down to 1.2 million today, for a 3 day total of 5.4 million cells. This would be enough for 1 transplant, but would give me no cells for another transplant in the future. I have one more collection tomorrow.

I had to have another unit of blood today and potassium. I don't think I mentioned that I had to have a unit of platelets and magnesium yesterday. It seems the collection procedure depletes your blood and electrolytes.

I will see my doctor Monday morning to discuss further plans. I may come back in several weeks to try and collect more stem cells. If all goes well Monday, we hope to return to Longview Tuesday.

Must tell you something funny. Earlier this week we met a couple from eastern
Tennessee -- Darlene and Harvey. He is being treated for myeloma, too.
Yesterday at the center where they collect the stem cells I was put in a
hospital bed in Rm 1. Later that day I had an email from Darlene. The
subject of the email was "Harvey is in your bed!". Of course, after I
left the center, the bed I was in became Harvey's.

Another funny: Okay, this is ARKANSAS -- big LSU rival. Yesterday our
nurse, who is a big Arkansas fan, found out George and I both graduated from LSU. She stepped into the open area and yelled, "Any nurse here willing to treat an LSU alumni"? You should have heard the laughs.

Second Day Of Harvest

Didn't do quite as well with the harvest today, just collecting 1.7 million cells. Have also found that the process really leaves me tired and weak. After a light lunch, I slept for 2 hours before having to go back to the center for the 2 afternoon injections.

I'm thankful for having collected 4.2 million cells so far. With 2 more days to go, hope to get many more.

Harvest at Last

I had my first harvest of stem cells this morning -- 2.5 million. That is half what we were hoping for. I'm sure I'll have to be harvesting for the next 3 days. Please pray that I can get at least 10 million total, if not more.

My brother Chuck was hospitalized today. Would appreciate prayer for correct diagnosis and an effective treatment.

Thanks for the prayers and support.

Plan in Motion

This morning the catheter was implanted in my neck. They just used a local anesthetic to place it. Afterward, I thought no big deal. Then the anesthetic begin to wear off. It is a bit painful, so have been taking pain meds for it.

I received the first injection of Mozobil late this afternoon. When we arrived at the center, the orders for it weren't in my file. It took a nurse 1 1/2 hours to finally get the orders so I could have the shot.

So, if counts are good in the morning, I'll start the stem cell harvest.

Plan Still On

As of this minute tomorrow's plan is to place the catheter in my neck and give me the high powered injection to cause more stem cells to grow. If all goes well, they should be able to start the harvest on Tuesday.

Please pray for my brother Chuck who has very serious health problems.

If I Had Hair, I'd Be Pulling It Out

It's been one of those days. This morning we were told I'd start receiving Mozobil injections in the afternoons today, Sat. and Sun. to try and increase my stem cells. This is a powerful drug that is used when the regular stem cell mobilizers don't work well.

This afternoon when I told the nurse I was supposed to get Mozobil today, he said there were no orders for it. Evidently plans had changed, but no one let us know.

New plans: Stay with the old drug until Monday afternoon when the Mozobil will be added to the mix. I am supposed to have the catheter put in my neck Monday morning. We assume this means they will start stem cell collection on Tuesday, IF my stem cells co-operate.

It looks like we'll probably be in Little Rock a few days longer than we'd originally thought.

Thanks so much for your prayers and comments. The comments are very encouraging.

Better Results & A Serendipity

Good news, as my counts were up a bit today. We're hoping the higher dose of growth factor is going to do the trick with the stem cells.

After being in the apartment or at the myeloma center for 3 weeks, we decided to drive out to Pinnacle Mountain State Park on the western side of Little Rock. We went to the visitors' center and from the back deck looked out over the Arkansas River and a beautiful valley. We learned that most of the neat features of the park can only be accessed by hiking in. Boy, does that leave me out.

Here's where the serendipity come in. Serendipity: When a person accidentally stumbles upon something fortunate, especially while looking for something entirely unrelated.

When we were going into the visitors' center we saw a woman hiker talking on a public telephone. As we came out I said hello to her. She stopped us and explained that she had just finished hiking the Ouachita Trail -- 223 miles through the mountains of Arkansas and Oklahoma -- runs from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma and ends at Pinnacle Mountain State Park. She asked if we could give her a ride into Little Rock to a hotel where she could spend a night or two, have a shower and repair her tent. She assured us she was not "dangerous".

We said we'd be glad to give her a lift and even knew where a La Quinta Motel was located. She told us she lives in California and has hiked long trails all over the US. It was a treat listening to her talk about her adventures. Her day job was also interesting -- she paints sets for movies and TV shows. Thus the serendipity!

BTW, her nickname is Marmot. Now if you don't know what a marmot is, you haven't been to the mountains out west. Marmots are large rodents (also called whistle pigs for the sound they make) who live in the western states. I started to just tell you a Marmot had hitched a ride with us!!

Not much new today. Counts are about the same as yesterday. Hope to see some improvement tomorrow.

Well, I was hoping that when I went to the center this afternoon I'd get good news from the blood tests that were done this morning. However, that was not to be. My red and white blood counts had actually dropped a little, and I'm still not producing enough stem cells.

They increased the dose of the growth factor injections. The nurse said to expect more bone pain from the increase. In fact, more bone pain means the marrow is working overtime and producing more cells. So, please pray for me to have more bone pain and stem cell counts to rise.

Not Today

Although my blood counts are nearing normal levels, tests show that I'm not yet ready for the stem cell harvest. They will be doing this test each morning. Hopefully, tomorrow's results will be better.

Pulling My Hair Out!

I'm sure you've used the old saying that you "feel like pulling your hair out"!! Around 4am this morning I woke up with my scalp itching like crazy. So, I started scratching and came away with a handful of hair! Yep, the chemo finally caught up with my hair.

A nurse had told me you get rid of the itching if you pull the hair out rather than shaving it off. So, I'm gradually pulling it out. If it's not all gone by bedtime, I'll probably shave off any remaining. I do have plenty of little caps to wear.

Now I just need pointy ears, slanted eyebrows and I'd look like a Vulcan lady on Star Trek!

My white counts continue to rise, which is great!

Beautiful Day

It's a beautiful, sunny day in Little Rock, made even more so because my blood counts continue to rise. A harvest Monday or Tuesday is becoming more of a possibility.

Our excitement for the day has been a trip to Kroger -- I stayed in the car and washing clothes.

My friend who was undergoing tests has been diagnosed with myeloma. Please pray for correct and successful treatment for her.

Counts On The Rise!

Tests this morning showed that my white counts are definitely on the rise, which is great! The APN who is following me said at this rate they will probably "install" a central line in my neck on Monday and start the harvest Monday afternoon or Tuesday. Time to get this show on the road!

Since my hemoglobin was still low this morning, I received a unit of blood. This is a first for me. As it went into my vein, I wondered about the person who donated it.

Thanks so much for all the prayers. Please continue to pray for no infections and a really good stem cell harvest.

Transfusions and Maybe Turning A Corner

Today's blood tests showed that I need a couple of units of blood because my hemoglobin is much too low. Hemoglobin transports oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, so if it's low you feel short of breath and very tired. I'll have those transfusions in the morning.

An encouraging note: My white blood counts were a tiny bit higher than yesterday. Hopefully, that means I've already hit bottom and am now on the upward swing!

Please pray for a long time jewelry buddy. She has had health problems this last year, and now the doctors suspect they may have been caused by myeloma.

It's a beautiful day in Little Rock with the sun shinning and the temp in the 50's.

Still Waiting

Results from yesterday's and today's tests show my white counts are still at the bottom. Hopefully, tomorrow will bring better news.

Side effects of the growth factor injections I'm receiving can be headaches and all over bone pain. This hit me yesterday and has continued. The nurse said that is an indication that the drug is working. Perhaps tomorrow we'll see some results of that "work" with improved counts.

House Arrest

That's what I've been under for several days -- house arrest! Except for going to the infusion center at MIRT, I'm to stay in the apartment. We even called the apartment office and told them we did not want the apartment cleaned this week, as we don't want anyone else inside. We're doing our own cleaning.

When we do go to the center, I wear the mask and we try to sit as far from other people as possible in the waiting room.

My white count from yesterday's results was non-existent. I'm hoping tomorrow morning when we get the results from today's tests, we'll see a turn around and things moving up.

I do appreciate the comments some of you are leaving on my blog. They are always a boost!

Low Counts Are Here

Boy, when I got my blood test results from yesterday's tests, I was shocked. My white counts were almost non-existent! We had to take a class on how to give me an IV antibiotic in case I have fever at night. Being able to do this would save a trip to the emergency room. So, we took the class and came home with the antibiotic, syringes of saline and heparin, etc. "IF" I should run a fever, I'd first call the doctor on duty to get his okay for the IV. Hopefully, this will not be needed.

I'm feeling okay. Wearing that mask all the time I'm away from the apartment is not fun. It makes you feel like you can't breathe. But, that is a minor inconvenience.

As always, your prayers are so appreciated. Do continue to remember our friend Gwen Simmons who is in the hospital here in Little Rock with myeloma and a second cancer. She was to start a very strong chemo today.

Oops! I Spoke Too Soon

When my white counts showed a big increase from the tests on Friday, I thought that meant they were on the way up. Surprise, surprise! Results from yesterday showed the white counts and platelets had dropped big time! The nurse told me the the up spike in white counts is normal and then the big drop happens. Sooo, I've got to be very careful not to catch anything until the counts rise again.

We had noticed an interesting little paved, winding road near our apartment and decided to follow it this morning. It wound through a small neighborhood and then to a beautiful park with lots of play equipment, trails and pavilions. Little Rock seems to have many such areas.

We're back in the apartment for the day. To my jewelry buddies -- I plan to work on RCJ today -- long overdue!

Excitement for the Day

Started the day at the center for blood tests and an injection. Results from tests yesterday showed a big increase in my white count, which is great! Just pray it continues.

Our excitement for the day was a trip to Kroger's to pick up a few things we needed.

The weather today much much better -- sunny with highs in the 50's. I do hope that trend continues, as we're tired of "cold and windy".

A funny: Last Tuesday was our little granddaughter Grace's 4th birthday. Her parents told her she could choose a place to go for her birthday dinner. She wanted to go to Red Lobster to see the lobsters in the tank. She also likes to eat salad at Red Lobster!

Shooting Myself

My insurance company over-nighted the neupogen injections to me so I was able to give myself my afternoon injection. George loves this, as we don't have to run back to the clinic every afternoon.

I'd had a bit of nausea late yesterday and mentioned it to my nurse today. She prescribed some medicine, which I took at lunch today, as feeling the nausea again. Well, it was a lot stronger than I thought. After lunch, I could hardly hold up my head, so lay down for a nap. I slept 4 HOURS!! Next time I think I'll take half a tab let!

Thankfully, we didn't get any snow last night.

Pray For Gwen

Our friend Gwen is in the hospital here in Little Rock. A spinal tap revealed that in addition to having myeloma, she has another cancer in her spinal fluid and brain. This additional cancer is very rare in myeloma patients. The doctors are deciding how best to treat both cancers.

Please pray for the best treatment plan and successful treatment for both conditions.

Started ShotsToday

Today I started receiving growth factor injections to help raise my white counts and encourage stem cell growth. Each day I also have blood tests which will tell them when I'm to the point where they can "harvest".

I was going to have to go to the center twice a day to get the injections. But, they are going to let me give myself the late afternoon shot. That way we have only one trip to the center per day and I'll only be exposed to people once instead of twice a day.

We may have a little snow tonight, but I don't think it's supposed to accumulate. I hope it doesn't!

Thanks for your prayers and notes.

Hi, Chuck!! I hear you are reading my blog.

Black Bag is Gone!

This afternoon I was unhooked from the "little black bag"! Tomorrow I start growth factor injections twice a day to build up my stem cell count, working toward harvest. I was assigned to an advance practice nurse who will follow me though the process and make sure I'm doing okay.

Please pray from our friend Gwen Simmons who also has myleoma and is here for treatment, as she is having some other health problems.

Last Day of Chemo

By this time tomorrow, I'll be finished with the chemo treatments. I'll leave this little black bag with the gals at the infusion center!

I really can't complain too much, as aside from a little nausea and some swelling in my legs, I've not had any bad side effects. However, I do think I'm losing more hair.

The nurse told me that the effects of the chemo on my blood counts will be their worst about next Sunday.

Thanks for the comments, the cards and the prayers.

Chemo Day 3

Day three of chemo has been completed, except for the "little black bag" of drugs that's with me for 24 hours. I'm feeling pretty good, except for some nausea from the chemo.

It is so cold here in Little Rock. It had warmed up a bit for a few days, but the cold and wind is back.

2nd Day of Chemo

Today was not as tiring as yesterday, as we were only at the infusion center for 4 hours. I had my second round infused at the center and they refilled my "little black bag" for me to take back to the apartment. Being tethered to the bag is interesting, as it has to go where ever you do.

We have to be at the center early tomorrow to pick up all those meds I mentioned in a previous post from the pharmacy. I have never taken so much medicine/drugs in my life!!

Time to watch the Olympics!

Meant to tell you that while in the waiting room George recognized a woman from his hometown -- Elaine Bass Fontenot. Her niece Gwen Simmons, from Tennessee, is being treated for myeloma and Elaine is staying with her this week. George really enjoyed visiting with her in person and it was nice for me to meet her. They have been chatting for years on an online hometown chat site.

Ist Day of Chemo

Had an appointment to start chemo this morning at 10am. It was after 11 when I was called back. We left the infusion center at 4:30pm this afternoon. After a long infusion of saline and a chemo drug "Etoposide", I was sent home "hooked" to a little black bag that has 2 other drugs that will be infused over a 24 hour period -- Cytoxin and Mesna. I will repeat this for 3 more days.

George and I are both really tired after 4 long days. Oh, starting this morning, I have to wear a mask anytime I am outside our apartment. My doctor wants me to be very careful about not "catching" anything.

Good News & Chemo to Start

Saw the myeloma doctor today. She had the results of the genetic testing and it shows that the myeloma I have is not aggressive and not high risk. Until this time, I had been told it was high risk. So, this was really good news.

I'll start a 4 to 6 hour chemo infusion tomorrow with several drugs. I'll have this for 4 days. Then I'll have injections twice a day to raise my white counts. When they get high enough, stem cells will be harvested. In addition to the chemo IV's, I'll be taking antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals and Tami-flu by mouth each day.

Particular prayer requests:
1. That I'll be able to harvest plenty of stem cells with no problems
2. That I'll not have any infections while my counts are so low

Thanks for the prayers.

Arrived!

You should have seen us packing the Jeep this morning. It was like putting a three dimensional puzzle together!

We got to Little Rock around 3 this afternoon and moved everything into the apartment, which is nice and has plenty of room.

Have to have blood tests in the morning and then go to the grocery store. Will see the doctor on Friday, so will know about a treatment schedule then.

Time to watch the olympics!

What To Take!!

I've been trying to decide what to take to Little Rock. George keeps telling me the Jeep will only hold "so much"! I did a lot of deciding/packing yesterday and will finish today.

Several people have asked me if I'm nervous or worried about the upcoming treatment, prognosis, etc. I have my moments, but overall am pretty calm about it all. God has seen me through many things over my 64 years, and I am confident He'll be with me through this as well.

People are amazing! You expect your family, friends and church family to be supportive at times like this. But, it's the caring of relative strangers that amazes you. Last summer a customer in California called to order something off my website. During the conversation I learned that she is a cancer survivor, so told her about my situation. Over the months, we have become long distance friends and prayer partners. Recently she sent me a box of lovely little head covers/caps, as I will be losing my hair.

A more recent acquaintance in Arizona, who I met through an online myeloma support group, sent me a beautiful scarf that she wore to cover the catheter in her neck during the days when she was having stem cells collected. She told me the scarf must be lucky, as she collected sooo many stem cells. She wanted me to have the scarf for luck during my collection days.

A long-time jewelry friend in the UK sent me a CD several months ago -- "The Spooky Men's Chorale". It is sooo funny. Other internet jewelry buddies I've "known" for years have been faithful in emailing to check on me and give encouragement.

Local friends have been such a support over the last 2 years with cards, calls, pies, brownies, meals from fresh garden produce, etc. If food cured cancer, I would have been cured months ago! Others have offered assistance in different ways.

I'm a compulsive reader -- will read cereal boxes if nothing else is available. A sweet neighbor has kept me in books over the last year. Yesterday she came in with more books, a basket of goodies I'll need in Little Rock and a couple of lovely lap covers she'd made.

I don't mind if you share the link to my blog with individuals who may be interested. Please feel free to email me anytime, as I'll have my laptop with me.

Back to packing!
Dotty

A Little History

For those of you who may not know what's been going on with me since February 2008, I thought I'd give you a little "history".

At the end of February 2008, I was diagnosed with a tiny localized breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, 7 weeks of radiation and a really bad internal staph infection my blood counts started dropping -- bad thing!! For the next 10 months the counts would drop, come up a little, drop again, etc. In April my local oncologist said we had to do a bone marrow biopsy to see what was going on.

I had the biopsy on April 27,'09, and saw my doctor on May 7th. She gave us the news that I had multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells of the bone marrow. I was somewhat familiar with the disease, as our pastor had been fighting it for a number of years.

The end of May I started taking Revlimid and dexamethasone which worked well for several months. In December I had to change to Velcade and dexamethasone because the Revlimid had quit working. I ended up having 6 days of treatment with Velcade starting 12/14 and ending 1/14. After 4 treatments I began to experience some neuropathy pain in my legs and feet.

During this time I learned that my insurance has a contract with the Myeloma Institute for Research and Therapy. On January 4th, I asked my local oncologist to refer me to MIRT.

Hubby George and I went to Little Rock on January 24th. I had 3 days (Jan. 25, 26, 27) of testing -- MRI, CT scan,PET scan, bone marrow biopsy, skeletal x-rays, lot of blood tests, EKG, Echo, lung capacity tests.

On the 28th we met with a doctor who is a specialist in myeloma. Since I had, had problems with two different drug treatments, she said it would be best to go ahead with high dose chemo, stem cell harvest, more high dose chemo and then the actual stem cell transplant. (Auto Stem Cell Transplant - your own stem cells are harvested from your blood, high dose chemo is given to kill as much myeloma as possible, then your stem cells are re-infused into your bloodstream). After 10 to 16 days, the re-infused stem cells will start making new blood cells. Hopefully, this process will put me in remission.

On Wednesday, Feb. 17, George and I will head for Little Rock where we have rented a furnished apartment for a month. I have labs on Thursday and meet with the doctor on Friday to learn when treatment will start.