More Tests to Come
Since my last writing, I’ve seen the GI doctor (yesterday) and doesn’t think I’m losing blood, as does Dr. D. He has ordered a few tests to ensure we’ve covered our bases. I’m having a repeat Capsule Endoscopy where you swallow a capsule and wear a belt for 8 hours and it takes pictures of the capsule going through the small intestine. I had this done 2/25/08 but the capsule “malfunctioned.” I wouldn’t know, I didn’t feel a thing. :)
Also, this is disgusting, but I must take 3 samples of poo and put it on these little cards. It will check if there’s any blood in my stool. I guess it’s not always visible to the eye.
Dr. H, the neurologist, called me today. She told me nearly point blank that she feels the trouble with my back is the cancer, maybe plasmacytoma’s in my spinal chord. She really doesn’t think it’s damage from the radiation and as I said, she is not going along with the “stroke in my spinal chord” diagnosis.
So, she is ordered another LP (lumbar puncture). The two I had in the hospital back in May did not produce anything. I didn’t think to ask her if there’s anything different they’re doing during this test. They are doing some contrast thing I think. Oh well.
Am I making it too simple to wonder if it is Plasmacytomas and I’m put on chemo treatment that I may gain feeling back and maybe walk better and not have to self-catheter? I guess I won’t expect too much, but I can only hope that there may be some improvements. Sometimes I feel like my legs just are not going to work. I’m OK driving, it’s just walking. It must be the muscles or nerves in the hip area; I notice I swing my legs out from the hip-like to walk. I say that I walk sort of like Herman Munster, but he rocks side-ways doesn’t he? Hmmm, who do I walk like? I still think I walk like HM.
The GI doctor will see me again in about 3-4 weeks. I see a urologist next week. I’m not sure what he’ll do. This is a different urologist specialist than the one I saw before.
I have felt better the last few days and I’m not sure why. I’m really sleepy. I shouldn’t be up like I am now. I need to get to bed early and then MAKE myself get up at least by 9:00AM. I should turn the lights out no later than 10:00PM but 8:00PM or 9:00PM would be even better. I keep saying this, but I also keep flubbing up and getting off schedule. Like tonight.
I paid my bills tonight and I need time to unwind after that. Today I did get much done, though. I stayed in my PJ’s and in bed until I think 3:00PM. Once up, I swept the house, swifter-scrubbed the bathroom, kitchen, and front entry, several loads of laundry, sorted through a pile of clothes, organized hangers, went through 2 drawers of socks, hosed off and scrubbed a little the porch, put bird feed out, and I think that’s about it. That is pretty good for me. OH…did the dishwasher and emptied it, too.
Filed under: Doctor Appointments, Multiple Myeloma and
Well you are certainly keeping active. That’s a lot of housework for one day!
In the UK, everyone over (I think) 60 has recently been sent a bowel screening kit to do the “three days of poo” test. It’s a great idea, but not very popular! You can overhear some fascinating conversations in queues at the Post Office these days about people misreading the instructions and having to fish their doings out of the toilet…!
Recently diagnosed with MM (two months). Getting excellent results with Velcade. Just wanted to let you know.