Living and Dying with Multiple Myeloma (and other cancers)
I’m about half way through series three, about eight weeks on chemo. It is beginning to wear; I’ve left work early a couple times, just very tired. I should be modifying performance curves for segments of pavement, but it’s becoming difficult to concentrate.
The items on my short list of symptoms so far have politely taken turns, one at a time temporarily taking position at the top of the list. The doctors say I look good and my blood looks good, so we continue.
One more infusion will get me to the free week of series two, except that it’s no longer free. It will be free from shots, but since I’m tolerating the meds well, I’m instructed to continue the thalidomide through the free weeks.
The self administered shots leave red patches on my stomach. They’re starting to resemble a camouflage pattern but I suppose its really chemouflage.
The needle is actually short and small. I told the nurse she could stand at the edge of the carpet in the Chemo lounge, and I would stand by my chair and hold my shirt up. She could test her skill and toss it like a dart. Liability is such a big wet blanket that spoils so much fun.
I left work yesterday telling my co-workers I was going to “spin the wheel” again at my oncologist’s office. The wheel appears to have stopped once more on, “stable.” I tell everyone that I would be happy to remain stable for the rest of my life. I won’t get tired of that word, stable. I hope you don’t mind my repeating it. Thank you for your prayers.
The current test results that were available right away showed no notable change. The results for the test that really tells what’s going on will not be available for a few days.
During the exam, the doc asked if I was experiencing any pain or numbness, or anything unusual. I told her that next time I see my urologist; I was going to ask him about my belly button. It’s been “weird” since the prostate surgery.
There’s a little skin bubble where the button used to be. She took a look and said it’s herniated. She said it won’t be a problem unless some “bowel” gets into it (or, unless a head with slime dripping fangs pops out of it). I wondered out loud about the rare opportunity to incorporate that little bubble into a three dimensional tattoo; an eyeball tattoo would be perfect there!
