Dom is a Hurtin' Little Cowboy

Well, gang-  This Velcade/Revlimid treatment has really clobbered him.

Over the course of 8 days, he was admitted to 2 separate hospitals overnight.

His neuropathy started traveling up his legs, just below the knees.

He gets extremely dizzy and almost falls down.

Blood Pressure is either very low or slightly elevated.

He's seeing flashes of light.

He's now walking with a walker.

His hands are starting to go numb.

You get the idea-  he's a MESS.

So, his Slidell Oncologist took him off of Chemo.

We'll be heading to Tulane Cancer Center soon.  We have an appointment for the 31st, but they'll probably want him in there sooner.

(Thalidomide was like a walk in the park compared to this treatment!)

ANOTHER UPDATE on Dom

Dom is having a pretty rough way to go during this treatment.  Actually, Thalidomide was like a walk in the park compared to Velcade, Revlimid and Dex.

His blood pressure is all over the place.  He’s been on blood pressure medication for many years.  Our family doctor took him off of it while he’s going through this.

A typical morning:

Gets out of bed at 8 am.  While watching television, sitting on the couch, his blood pressure is 130/80.  GREAT.

Gets hungry.  Walks with his cane 20 feet into the kitchen.  Grabs a bite to eat, then hobbles back to the couch.  Starts feeling woozy.  Blood pressure has dropped to 60/something.

An hour later, blood pressure returns to normal.

He cannot function with these fluctuations.  He’s also getting flashes of color in his peripheral vision from time to time.

I’m doing all of the driving.  We’re both very tired.  Drive into Bogalusa, LA every Monday for lab work.  Velcade injections in Slidell on Tuesdays and Fridays.  Drive into NOLA to see Dr. Safah at the Tulane Cancer Center every couple of months. Monthly infusion of Zometa.  Here’s a look at this month:

So, we're hanging in there and sure looking forward to finishing this treatment and get on with the transplant.

A Patient Update

Dom will be finishing his 4th week of Chemo on Friday.... then off for an entire week.

This Velcade and Revlimid have been tough on the poor guy.  His blood pressure got very low, so he cut way back yesterday.

Needless to say, heads exploded at the Cancer Center today.

So.... tomorrow, our ONLY day off this week, we're headed BACK to Slidell to see our Dr. Culasso...  to get a handle on his blood pressure and our annual check-ups.

We have an appointment at our Tulane Oncologist, Dr. Safah on Thursday.  She's the one who's calling the shots.  Slidell is much more convenient for us, but Tulane will be harvesting the Stem Cells and performing the transplant.

Dom gets SO tired, has dizzy spells, has to lay down at times.  This has been rough on him.  The Thalidomide 9 years ago was like a walk in the park compared to this.  (Of course, he's 9 years older, too!)

So... thanks for your continued prayers and positive vibes.  We'll take whatever we can get!

All is GREAT Here!

Dom woke up, took his Revlimid and Steroids (Dex), and we drove into Slidell.  Got his Velcade injection and his drip of Zometa.... very quick... in and out in no time at all.

Our patient feels better than he has for a week.  Using 2 crutches today, but getting around well.  Even his voice sounds chipper.  Thank God.  (he does the steroids on Tuesdays.... I wonder if that has something to do with it????)

We have 2 days off.  Back to Slidell Cancer Center on Friday for Velcade shot, then off of chemo for a week.

Daughter Christine is flying in on Saturday.  YAY!  Fun, fun gal!

Our A/C guy was here for about 3 1/2 hours yesterday.  The old fella that wired this house had Alzheimer's.  Apparently, he was confused with the air conditioning.  Our guy got it working and will return tomorrow to finish the job.

SERENITY NOW!  - Frank Costanza (Seinfeld)

A Progress Report- E.R. Visit

Dom started his Revlimid on Monday.  His hip felt OK.... hurt, but nothing horrid.

Went in Tuesday for his first Velcade injection.... in and out in no time at all.  Also took 5 Steroids.

Wednesday morning rolled around and he couldn't walk.  Struggled with 2 canes.  Dr. Cal. told us to get to the ER in Slidell.

We were very impressed.  I've always been a fan of the "other" hospital in Slidell, but these folks were great.  Before they even got him in a room, they did x-rays and blood work.

Thank God, not a broken hip.  Cannot explain it.  Gave him a Percoset, then came back to our room to "give him a test drive".  BIG DIFFERENCE!

Going locally for Blood Work tomorrow, then back to the Cancer Center on Tuesday for Velcade and ZOMETA for the first time in years...  (bisphosphonates to heal his lesion)

Zoledronic acid belongs to a class of drugs known as bisphosphonates. It lowers high blood calcium levels by reducing the amount of calcium released from your bones into your blood. It also works by slowing the breakdown of your bones by cancer to prevent bone fractures.

Had a very pleasant weekend.  I boiled up a couple of pounds of Shrimp yesterday.  My patient stayed in bed all day.  (as well as Thursday).

Today was a celebration of Father's Day, as well as a belated birthday celebration for me.  Lobster Tails, Snow Crab, Sweet Corn and Baby Yellow Potatoes.

OH, YEAH.... OUR CENTRAL AIR WENT OUT THE OTHER DAY.  When it rains it pours!

And So it Begins.......

Hi gang-

We had a rough couple of weeks dealing with securing Dom's Chemo medication, but we're all set now.

He took his first dose of Revlimid this morning.

Will be getting his Velcade shots on Tuesdays and Fridays.... 2 weeks on- 1 week off.

Daughter Christine just booked a flight for our "off week".  Yippee.

Apparently, the VA is "farming out" patients to private practice doctors.  At the end of this month, we'll head to Pascagoula, MS for our VA Disability Claim.  The alternative was a doctor in NOLA.  NO THANKS!

So....it's all falling into place!  Thanks for the prayers and calls!

Dom's Cancer is Back

Well, gang-  after complete remission for over 7 years, his MM has returned.

His blood work and bone marrow biopsy showed absolutely nothing alarming.  His hip had really been bothering him, so Dr. Safah ordered an MRI.

We went to see her on Thursday, fully expecting yet another clean bill of health.

NOPE.

The MRI showed a 9.3-centimeter lesion on his left hip.  (Measures 3.66 inches in diameter).

So, she calmly announced that he was to stay off of his tractor, watch how he sits down, etc.  She's afraid that he would suffer a broken hip.

Then went on to say that she was ordering 10 radiation treatments, 2 months of Chemo and ANOTHER Stem Cell Transplant.

Needless to say, my eyes filled with tears.  She smiled and sweetly said that she wasn't the least bit concerned.  He did so well last time and remained clean for so many years..... that he would breeze right through this.  She said that this time it would be much easier on his body.

We met with a Slidell Radiologist doctor and our Slidell Oncologist on Monday and Tuesday.  The Radiology department did a CT Scan and tattooed his hip.

Our Slidell Oncologist said that he suspects that this is a Plasmacytoma, as his bone marrow and blood wasn't the least bit alarming to them.

Radiation begins tomorrow.

This time around his Chemo will consist of Revlimid, Velcade, and Dexamethasone.

My tears have ceased and we're both very confident with our new team.  Dr. S. from Tulane told both of these Slidell doctors that he would zip right through this process.

After Radiation and Chemo, they'll gather his Stem Cells and the transplant will be done in New Orleans at Tulane.

This is all happening very quickly.  We walked around in a daze all weekend but hit the ground running on Monday.