Tuesday, February 07, 2012

Resting After Cycle 2

I finished cycle 2 of bendamustin/revlimid last week and am now in my recovery week. We continued to progress, albeit not at the rate of the first cycle. Iggs dropped another 300 points, down to 3800 from 4100. M spike is at 2.6, down from 2.8. The 3 weeks of being on chemo is challenging and mostly exhausting, causing me to sleep more than I thought possible. Still making 3 to 5 visits a week to the clinic/hospital for blood checks and transfusions.

You may recall that I had to undergo radiation treatment last November due to an "impending" fracture of my left arm--the top of the humorous near the shoulder. Well, sometime in the last 6 weeks my arm broke, completely fracturing. Is that why it continued to hurt? Anyway, in my condition surgery is not an option so I've got the arm in a sling for the indeterminate future. As if I don't have enough issues! And I continue to be without driving privileges.

It seems that life has slowed to a crawl. The effects of the chemo and cancer combined with the treatment regime and transfusions leave little or no time for living. Susan is bound up in all of this and I feel so sorry for her as she has to take me everywhere as well as watch me as I struggle with the entirety of that I've been given to deal with. The girls are great support for both of us. Catherine checks in regularly and Julia drops by at least a couple of times each week as well as helps in getting me to appointments when she can.

The progress with the new drug is promising and has lifted our spirits a bit. We continue to be grateful for all the support of our friends and family.
Love,
Dan

9 comments:

Lovey said...

Hi, Dan, so glad to read your entry and so sorry about the broken arm. We're all pulling for you.

Mom said...

I am so happy for you. This is excptionally good news. I had good news yesterday. We found my wedding ring in one of my Santa boxes. Love,Mom

John S. said...

Dan:

With a heart as big as yours, who needs an arm anyway?

John Sadwith

Steven L. Ritter said...

Hang in there Dan.. Live when you can and rest when you need to. Glad to hear your IIGs are going down. Keep up the good work.

I will continue praying for you.

Blog when you can.

tim's wife said...

Prayers still coming from Jersey way.
Denise

Sandy said...

So if surgery is not an option, then I will send more Reiki healing and intentions for the bones to knit together on their own, knowing this is for the highest and best good of all concerned, so be it and so it is... and just cuz you don´t hear from me doesn´t mean you aren´t on my Daily List of people I am intending for... Whooooooooo!

sigun said...

Hang in thee, dear Dan, even if only with one arm... You are right, a broken shoulder is not what you needed right now. Courage. Our love and prayers from cold Paris, Sigun.

sailor said...

Oh, Dan....you're all in this together. I know your family chooses to be with you and they wouldn't be anywhere else. Unless you would consider letting friends drive you to appointments to give Susan a rest. I know your pals would love something to do to help. Great news....keep fighting, dude. Love, light, prayers and laughter I send your way for you and those you love. Hugs, Sailor

Barbara said...

Dan,
Please view this video

http://www.tedxboston.org/speaker/bradner-md

Break through for myeloma