Cindy’s Multiple Myeloma Blog

I saw Dr. Deauna today.  I’m glad I stuck it out with her. I’ve gone to nearly dropping her to really liking and trusting her now.  She’s very busy, but she’s still very thorough.  I think one thing that cinched my liking of her was her personal phone calls to my home, telling me to call her “stat”, that she wants me to come in and possibly admit me to the hospital.  At this time I don’t think she was aware yet that I was already in the hospital.  But her voice was so concerned and urgent.  She called a second time to ensure I knew it was “stat.”  Then, a Case Manager nurse in the hospital told me that Dr. Deauna really cares about her patients.  I just changed my mind.  I’m glad I didn’t react too quickly and quit her.  I think it would have been a big mistake.  I actually thinks she is better than the BMT doctors in some ways even. 

In any event, she is taking me off of the steroids.  I start decreasing them now.  She changed some medicines around for my neuropathy.  She’s ordering more tests to watch my MM, as they were creeping before this started.  We’re hoping they stay low for a while until I adjust to all of this. 

Dr. Deauna explained that what they believe happened in my T-8, that spot that is causing this numbness, is from the radiation, though not directly.  If it were directly from the radiation, it would show a spot in the entire radiated area and probably have occurred earlier than now.  They believe that I had a “stroke” in my T8, and it’s probably because of the radiation, but just delayed and maybe not directly.  She wants to make sure it’s not the myeloma acting up in my back, but my protein is low.  Nevertheless, in a few weeks when I have my followup MRI,  I’ll have the lab work, too.  Then I’ll see her 7/3/08 to followup on the results of the lab and the MRI. 

I’m glad to be getting off of the steroids.  I think I will do better and get stronger.  I’ll sleep better, not so much sweating, etc.  I gained 11 pounds in 2-3 weeks just being on steroids. 

  The neurologist put me on Cymbalta for pain management for the neuropathy.  My insurance does not cover Cymbalta.  Dr. Deauna  upped my Nuerontin (Gabapentin) for the neuropathy.  It’s the same as Cymbalta, only that Cymbalta is also an antidepressant.  I don’t need that.  So I’m glad to get off of the Cymbalta for both insurance and function.  I hope the increased Gabapentin improves my neuropathy some. 

I’m low in iron and B12.  She’s going to do some test with the lab for that, too.  I’ve been taking B6 three times a day.  Guess I’ll add B12.  Something is zapping me.  No wonder I’m tired. 

So, I drove to the post office today and mailed letter and purchased stamps.  Then to the doctors office.  Then to the pharmacy and picked up prescriptions.  Then to the store and got some groceries.  Then home.  I’m pooped. 

I’ve eaten, taken my second shower and boy did it feel good.  My legs are so weak, but I’m resting in bed now, laptop and feet up. 

That’s it for now.  I think I’m doing pretty good.  Oh ya, one more thing.  I got the paperwork for my disability license plates.  When I went to the pharmacy and grocery store, I drooled over the handicap parking spots that were open and that I couldn’t legally use yet.  Hopefully tomorrow I’ll be able to get that done. 

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