The side effects aren’t nearly as strong as 50 shots ago. There’s much less itching, redness and tenderness around the injection sites on my stomach. The chemouflage has faded and I rarely experience Bug Zapper Syndrome anymore.
These may be signs that my body has become accustomed to the Chemotherapy drug, Velcade. I went to the hospital this morning for the final blood draw and shot in my prescribed two year, bi-weekly series of low dose chemo infusions. The doctor and nurses – everyone was offering congratulations.
There were hugs and well wishings. The fact that it was New Years Eve may have contributed to the feeling of a life chapter ending. When I was presented with my usual After Visit Summary printout, I felt I had just been handed a diploma confirming my graduation; a diploma representing a two year degree in Needle Injection Theory.
My Grandson listening eagerly as I dispense another pearl of wisdom (Thanks for this picture, Robin)
What’s next? I will be tested every three months as long as the cancer does not proceed. When it does (as I’m reminded that Multiple Myeloma always will) we will begin treatments with one or more new drugs that have just recently become available.
I haven’t driven the Chevy in weeks, there just hasn’t been time.
Earlier this summer it wasn’t running quite right. I started it up and began adjusting the idle mixture screws when I discovered I could tighten one all the way down and instead of killing the engine, it had no effect. Now what?
GENERAL SURGEON’S WARNING: Tightening a fuel mixture screw all the way should kill your engine!
I’ve surprised myself by finding good mechanical advice on the Internet, often with helpful video. But, how do you search for, “tighten the idle mixture screw all the way on an Edelbrock carburetor and the engine doesn’t die?”
I searched a phrase something like that and, wow – there was a helpful guy on a video telling me, “here’s what you do – remove the screw and blow the screw hole out with compressed air.” It worked!
I recently met a guy who had some dirt to get rid of. I had been watching for free dirt to raise the elevation of the lowest part of our back yard. He delivered, and a friend loaned me a small Kubota tractor to move it around.
Before it was completely smoothed out, it occurred to me that it resembled a radio controlled car track. I mentioned that to my good friend, Jason, and with his help we made it look exactly like an RC car track.
It’s mud now, but we did manage to run cars on it a few times before the rain began.
If it turns out to not get that much use, I’ll smooth out the jumps and berms and throw some grass seed on it. So far, it has cost us zero. Don & Diane, I hope you can get out here next spring or summer and give it a try.
A back yard off road dirt track for radio controlled cars
I’ve done far more organizing of my photos than editing. I wonder if that means I’m more systematic than creative.
The Photoshop Elements program says I’ve identified (and tagged) 302 people (so far) in 97,650 photos. Tagging faces is like eating potato chips, it’s hard to quit. I’ll stop and back up the catalog after one more folder; okay, maybe one more after that….
Some blessings require that you only sit back and enjoy, like a stunning sunset, or music that genuinely pleases your ears.
Other blessings seem to require constant maintenance, like this old house, or my hair.
That’s me next to the face I love tagging the most (1034 times so far). This was on our 42nd anniversary
My life has been overflowing with blessings, and they do keep me busy. Grandchildren represent compound blessings. I love seeing our sons experiencing the same joy with their babies that we savored with them.
We treasure the time spent with our grandson. We are anxiously looking forward to meeting our granddaughter. The arrival of Grand-baby number three has been announced for June.
The end of 2015 will bring the end of my two year series of bi-weekly low dose chemo maintenance shots. When I began this Velcade infusion therapy, my Oncologist said it gives patients “more time,” and that after two years, it’s done all the good it is going to do.
I’m grateful for more time. It’s a commodity I can never seem to accumulate enough of. Ending the cycle of shots feels a bit like removing training wheels.
I ran into a friend at a funeral Saturday. While visiting she told me she enjoys reading my blog. I talked on about something I don’t remember now, but realized later that I did not say thank you for reading my blog.
I enjoy writing. I would (and do) write even when I’m the only one whose likely to ever see it. I’m still surprised when someone tells me they read something I wrote. Without feedback, I don’t know if anyone reads me.
Mary Jo, thank you for reading my blog. Everyone who follows, anyone who clicks over from Face Book or MyelomaBlogs, Thank you. I feel honored that you take the time to have a look.
Time is money, time is tight, everyone is busy, so I do feel blessed and encouraged when you comment (on the blog, by email, or in person) about this online – ongoing adventure.
I almost feel I owe an apology; this started out as a means to update and share my medical news because I might have cancer. Three cancers later I remain among the living, and posting here, I do wander off topic now and then.
I saw my pulmonologist this week (my sleep doctor). I told him that although I use my Bi-pap every night, I’m still tired all the time. He said there is a new, recently approved prescription drug made specifically for folks like me with sleep apnea.
It’s a mild stimulant that fights off sleepiness during the day. It’s called the Sleep Problem Exacerbation Eliminator Drug, or SPEED for short. I picked up my prescription today.
Our grandson visiting, maybe now I’ll have the speed to keep up with him.
