February 2011 - Induction - Cycle One - Day One

Well I started my medications today, so far so good (knock on wood). I had 11 pills to take this morning and then to the hospital at 1:00 for the IV drug. The IV drug was administered by a wonderful nurse at La Grange Oncology in the professional offices at Delnor hospital. La Grange Oncology is where my hematologist practices out of. The nurse was so attentive and caring answering any question and taking her time. I did not know exactly what to expect, I thought I would be hooked up to an IV and have some type of drip for 30 minutes.

First the nurse takes My vitals; blood pressure, temperature, pulse and oxygen level. Blood pressure was actually good for me, I have decided whenever Jane is by my side she has a calming affect. Next the nurse takes the time to answer any questions we have, then she is off to get the medications ready. She comes back with a tray of stuff, all kinds of stuff in this tray. I am beginning to wonder what is all this stuff and what is she going to do with it. I later decide this is just her "toolbox", every good mechanic needs a toolbox and today she was my mechanic and she was about to repair a 42 year old classic. Then she states she is going to use a butterfly needle and I ask what is that. She replies it is a small needle. She then checks my right arm for viens and notices I had blood drawn from that arm earlier in the day. She then checks the left arms and decides to use this arm. She puts the butterfly needle in, feels like a pinch no worse than a blood draw. Then she plugs in a siringe of medication and tells me it is an anti-nausea drug. She unplugs that siringe and plugs in a siringe of saline and runs that into my veins. The final step was the actual medication, which was again just a siringe of medication. All of a sudden the nurse notices I have a rash on my neck extending down my chest and back, she begins to wonder if I am having a reaction from the medications. Jane then tells me something I never knew, she states I do get a rash such as that when I am nervous. The nurse decides the doctor should take a look at the rash and checks to see if he is available. When the nurse returns; less than two minutes; the rash is gone. The doctor is no longer needed and I was done, all in about fifteen minutes (not counting the question and answer session).

All in all today was a much better day than I expected, I need to quit over thinking everything and live in the moment.

February 2011 - Treatment Thoughts

As I lie in bed this Morning I am wondering how I will tolerate the treatments tomorrow. One drug; the steroid decadron; I have to take 10 pills at one time. The nurse tells me these pills have a bitter taste and I could have a lot of energy and hunger on day one, then about day two or three I could be agitated more easily and have a short temper, might even feel like I want to crawl out of my skin. The other medications (Revlimid) has numerous side affects and Velcade could cause neuropathy along with a host of other side effects.

I wonder will the treatments make me feel sick more than the disease itself. Up to this point I have not felt sick, though the doctors keep telling me that I am.

February 2011 - Another Blood Test

Back to the hospital Monday morning for another blood test, while they try to regulate the blood thinner.

February 2011 - Thankful for Insurance

First prescription arrived today, my insurance saved me $11,000 on 21 pills; that is eleven thousand dollars; about $525 a pill. 

February 2011 - The Bartender

Jane would make a great bartender, she never lets my glass of water run dry. 

February 2011 - Rush Patient Coordinator

The Rush Medical Center patient coordinator called today, another impressive conversation with the folks at Rush. She collected some information and again provides hope as I talked with her. She states that after my third or fourth cycle of treatments (3 to 4 months) I will have another bone marrow biopsy and more blood tests. If those results are good then I will spend a day at Rush having all my major organs tested before the SCT.

February 2011 - Induction Therapy Starts Monday

Well the doctors office called today and the medications have been approved by insurance. I will start all my medications on Monday. Hoping the medications don't make me feel sick, since I have not felt sick at all up to this point.