March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 2 - Day 4

Back to the clinic today for the second treatment in cycle 2. Mondays treatment had a little impact on my CBC numbers, but nothing too bad. WBC actually went up to 2.6 (Grans down to 1.5), platelets down to 163 (still in the normal range, though I expect the platelets will continue to drop through next week due to the treatments). If the grans number goes below 1.0, then I have to be extra careful about what I eat (no fresh fruit, everything must be thoroughly cooked...).

Monday and Tuesday were pretty good days, feeling the affects of the medications yesterday and today; feeling a little tired; but not too bad. Actually got a walk in on Monday and Tuesday, trying to decide if I have the energy for a walk tonight.

Taking Zantac in the morning of Mon, Tue and Wed really helped the heart burn / acid reflux from the steroids.

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March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 2 - Day 1

Here we go with cycle 2 of treatments. Boy I was nervous going to the doctor today, doctors make me nervous anyway; I have been told by my primary doctor that I have white coat syndrome. Today the doctor could have told me the treatments are not going as well as expected or he could have said things are working as planned. The only problem we didn't know what that would be until 1:15.

The test they use to test the effectiveness of the treatments is the Beta 2 Microglobin blood test. I can't explain really what this test is all I know is my numbers when I started and my numbers after cycle 1, along with the valid ranges. The valid range is any number less than 2.51. Before I started treatments my number was 5.53. Today, after cycle 1 treatments my number was 2.34. Looks like according to this test I have responded well to cycle 1 treatments. There will be additional tests after cycle 2 to test for free light chains that spill into the urine, which I currently or had a very large number of these before I started treatment.

Blood counts for today; which most numbers were up from Thursday. WBC dropped to 1.9, but grans were up to 1.6 I really don't understand why the WBC dropped to 1.9, but the grans seem to be more important for fighting infections, so that is good. Hemoglobin was up to 12.1 the highest it has been in a year and platelets are up to 183 highest in two years.

I also found out today I should not be taking any multivitamins or eating any antioxidants while on treatment. Antioxidants make it harder to kill the bad cells, which makes the drugs less affective. Bye bye vitamin water and green tea, though I did not consume large amounts of these, how much more liquids can one really consume after 3 liters of water.

Both the doctor and nurse told me that I can expect to be more tired during cycle 2, I can deal with that if we can achieve the net result.

I thought it was courious when I was updating my blog a John Mayer song came on, the title was "In Repair" The song has another meaning, but seems to apply in many ways. A line in the song is "I'm in repair i'm not together but I am getting there".

Today was a good day!

Thanks for everyones prayers, they must be working.

Today gives us hope.

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March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 26

The last week was pretty good, really felt like myself before the treatments began. I did not realize how wiped out I was during the first two weeks of treatments, until this week. Really did not feel very tired this week at all, did not need one nap. Actually cooked breakfast and dinner today.

Still drinking lots of water, 3 plus liters a day. That is a total of 6 bottles of water a day, on top of the water I also have juice with breakfast and vitamin water with lunch. The water and other fluids hopefully keeps the kidneys functioning properly. Jane gathers the water bottles in the morning and numbers them 1-6, so it is easy to track.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 24

Well it has been a pretty good week, had lot more energy than the last couple weeks.

Back at the clinic for another blood test. WBC are coming back slowly (WBC 2.3, Grans 1.3), platelets have pretty much recovered (131) and the hemoglobin is on the rise (10.1). (Now that my platelets have recovered Jane let me cut my own meat at dinner tonight.) I need to get these number as high as possible before the next induction cycle starts on Monday, which will most likely bring these numbers back down.

Besides causing hoarseness the steroids have started causing heartburn / acid reflux. I noticed the last couple weeks I seem to experience these symptoms Monday evening into Tuesday and each week it seems to last a little bit longer and get a little worse. Talked to the nurse today and she said that is a known side effect and I should take Zantac or Pepcid.

Meet with the doctor on Monday to see how I have responded to the first induction cycle, hoping the response is good.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 21

Not much new to report, had a good weekend. More energy than I had in a while. Went for a mile walk today (actually felt like jogging, but I did not) that felt great; would have been better with company but Jane was working; so it was me and the iPod. Can't even take Harry (our 80 pound boxer) with me since sometimes he looses his mind and starts to bite my ankles, he does this to show off when he sees another dog (He is looking for a girlfriend and thinks this impresses the ladies).

Loosing my voice again, after doing some research over the weekend I found out this can be a side affect of the steroids I am on. Seems like I loose my voice on Monday (the day I take a high dose of the steroid) and then it gradually gets better by Wednesday. I will mention this to the doctor when I see him next week.

Received a bunch of literature from Rush Medical center about the stem cell transplant last week, spent some time reading through the literature the last couple days. I need to gather some questions for my patient coordinator at Rush, a lot to think about and read.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 18

Back to the clinic today for a CBC. The results were not as good as I wanted, but were better than last week. WBC were up to 2.0 (grans 1.1) still low but getting better and platelets where up to 51.0, again still low but better. Hemoglobin dropped a little (9.1) which explains my tiredness the last couple days. Next week down to just one drug; the steroid; which should help my counts recover before the next induction cycle that begins on Monday March 28th.

I was not expecting my counts to drop so low, when first diagnosed the doctor made it sound like I could continue to do what I normally do during the treatments. I find it hard to do anything with my platelets so low, I am afraid of getting a nick or cut. With the WBC counts low I have to be concerned about infections of all kinds including bacteria, viruses...

The weather was nice today and got out for a short walk, that was a nice change.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 15

Not much new to report in the last couple days. I had an INR blood test this morning to check my pro time levels to see how the blood thiner is working. Levels are right where the doctors want them (2.3). Won't have to have that checked for another week and a half. The phlebotomist at the outpatient facility really bruised my arm today; though it might not be her fault; I wonder if it has anything to do with my low platelet counts.

Heading back to the clinic on Thursday for another CBC, hoping my numbers continue to rise. Jane has me on house arrest until my numbers get better. I only get to go for car rides and wait in the car. That is okay because I really don't want to catch anything, the fever I had the first week was no fun, it completely wiped me out for a day.

Seem to be loosing my voice today, not sure what that is about. Though I did have a small bloody noise yesterday and was afraid to blow my noise all day yesterday, which might have something to do with my voice. If it is not better tomorrow I will be calling the doctor to make sure it is nothing to be concerned about.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 11

The last couple of days have been uneventful; which is a good thing. Actually slept pretty well the last couple nights. Been a little more tired the last couple days. Back at the clinic today for my fourth and last injection for cycle 1. I had my doubts that my counts would recover and I would actually be able to receive the injection. To my surprise my WBC was up to 1.7, but the platelets are still dropping, down to 46; though that is still to be expected. Now my body will have 2 weeks to recover before the injections start for cycle 2, hopefully by that time most of my counts will be greatly improved.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 8

Back to the clinic today for another injection. Before the injection they check my blood counts, not so good today. White blood cells are very low (1.0) and platelets are very low (63). The nurse states even though the counts are low it is to be expected since the medications destroy the good and bad cells. I can no longer eat fresh fruits or vegetables until my counts recover. I am also officially quarantined to my house. My nurse is already preparing me for Thursday stating I might not get an injection if my counts are too low. I am not sure what too low is, since I think my current counts are to low for my standards.

Had my INR blood test today to check my blood thickness, I have been on a blood thiner for two weeks and now my blood is too thin. So now I have to skip taking the blood thinner meds for two days, then I start a crazy dose of 7.5mg on Tue and Thur and 5mg on all other days. Sometimes I think the doctors are just testing my memory.

Back on my Monday dose of the steroid, the culprit of no sleep last Monday and Tuesday night. I am told my body will adjust to the steroid and will handle it better the more doses I take. I sure hope they are right.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 6

Slept pretty good last night and had good energy today. The last three nights had night sweats, not sure if this is from the medications. Not looking forward to the steroids on Monday and the crash on Wednesday, my nurse states my body will adjust and the crash will be easier as time progresses.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 5

Today was a pretty good day, slept great last night and was hungry for breakfast. Yesterday when I was at the clinic the nurse had told me that my "baby" white blood cells are increasing, which is good. Though the medications and the disease have really taken a toll on my white blood cells and platelets. Due to this Jane has pretty much quarantined me to the house. I am hoping for some warmer weather so I could at least go for a walk; I am really not a homebody; I like to get out and do things.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 4

Much better day than yesterday. Fever seems to be under control and I was able to stay awake most of day, though I did take a ten minute power nap over lunch. Back to the clinic today to get my second injection. Was able to eat breakfast and lunch so far and looking forward to dinner. Jane tries her best to accommodate my ever changing appetite. Everything is starting to taste different, even something as simple as water has a different taste.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 3

Rough night and day. Did not sleep Tuesday night and started a fever sometime in the night. Spent the whole day in bed and slept. Did not eat much, though i was hungry nothing sounded good. Jane called the doctor and they prescribed a antibiotic.

March 2011 - Induction - Cycle 1 - Day 2

Not much sleep last night, I was warned the steroids could cause insomnia. I have been up since 2:30 this morning and feeling pretty tired at this point. Other than the tiredness still feeling pretty good.