September 10th 2008 my life was turned upside down.
My oncologist referred me to a kidney specialist when my creatine counts began to quadruple. I saw the specialist with my daughter Michelle Goodwin on Tues and by Thursday was an emergency admit to Providence General Hospital with renal failure *10% of my kidneys were functioning). I spent 11 days there undergoing 2 blood transfusions, 4 plasma phoresis, and started on a different chemo drug. The thalidomide I had been taking for 1 1/2 months had allowed the cancer cells to over-run the kidneys. I was allowed to go home Sept 30th with the kidneys back to normal.
I was a complex case because the myeloma lesions were agressively attacking my spine and thinning out the vertebre. In July I had L2 and L4 were compression fractures in the lower back. They are healing but it will be months before they fully heal. Another fracture occurred in the hospital when I felt new pain much higher from a break in the T12, located below the ribs. The bone pain was incredible. It all felt so sureal, like I was outside myself looking at what was going on. I had wonderful family visit the hospital as often as they could and the nurses on the oncology floor were outstanding.
My oncologist determined that I needed 10 days of radiation therapy to eliminate the bone pain for which I took oxycodone every 4 hours. After four treatments of radiation I was pain free and tapered off the narcotics. I traveled to Everett tothe cancer clinic for Monday through Friday treatments. I laid on a flat slab for about 15 minutes while they shot in the exact same three places. All these years I told my children not get a tatoo and now I have three small black spots, permanent india ink tattos!. The radiation is done and I am still going to the cancer clinic for Chemo treatments. The drug is Velcade which is 82% effective in cancer patients. I will not loose my hair, and have had minor problems with diarhea and nausea. As long as I take my nausea pills before dinner I'm fine.
When the kidneys were well my complex case got a little easier for the Endricinologist (bone density specialist).He ordered a bone strengthening medication to be given monthly. Those medications cause damage to the kidneys, so I will have a 6 hour infusion the end of Oct. The reason for the six hours is that it drips in slowly and does not affect the kidneys.
I have a hospital bed where I can raise the legs to take the pressure off the vertebre at night. We are renting it and the cost is minimal with insurance.
When I first came home Sept 30th I was very weak and still in a lot of pain. My friends took turns coming at 8:30 am, 10 am and afternoons to transport me to the cancer center for radiation therapy. They were all so loving and fixed my food. The sisters from the ward brought in dinners every other day. I have felt extremely loved and have not experienced a bit of depression!
For 15 days I lived downstairs and had to leave and enter through the garage. Cabin fever set in, me not knowing what the kitchen was like, upstairs and couldn't get things out of my closet etc, etc. So last week the radiologist gave me persmission to do stairs always holding the handrail. I try not to go up and downstairs a lot but a few times a day is good for my back muscles. When they start to spasm I go to the recliner.
I am so thankful for all my incredible family who has supported and sustained me every step of the way. My husband, Frank has been great to heat up dinners and bring them to me on a tray. Kali stayed with me the day I was admitted to the hospital. She stayed until after nine o'clock that night to make sure I was OK! Michelle and Dave Goodwin brought a Sunday night dinner for Brent, Frank and I. We all ate in the hospital cafeteria. Everyone has been so thoughtful. I have a house full of plants and flowers people have sent or brought and they are all so beautiful that I warms my inner soul to pieces.
I asked my cancer doctor why the Mulitple Myeloma has been so different and painful this time. His reply was sometimes when it comes back for the second time it comes back with a vengence! I will take this chemo the rest of my life and it will keep eating up the cancer cells. This cancer is no longer a death sentence like it was 9 years ago!!! My hope is to take this until something better comes along or a cure.
So now I deal with what they call "the new normal." I haven't quite figured out what that is, but I know I'm out of pain and very grateful to be writing this e-mail which is long overdue. Just this week I have been able to sit again at the computer and read e-mails. I feel so incredibly lucky and blessed to have so many prayers in my behalf.
Just to let you know I will continue to fight this and win the battle. I did before and I WILL do it again!
