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