Numbers Move Slightly, But in the Right Direction

I know many of you are waiting for the news of the "numbers," so here they are: IGG at 2837. Previously it was at 2853. Not much movement, but at least in the right direction. I am remarkably unphased by it. As I was sitting in the exam room, after they had drawn the blood and just waiting for the results I realized that I had no investment in the outcome. I am feeling so much better than 6 or 7 months ago and I still believe that this drug will work for me that a temporary measurement of the numbers feels close to meaningless. I have been on this roller coaster for so long (11 months) that ups and downs are a given.

I had also decided that if there was little movement in the numbers today I would start back on the herbs, so when I got home that's exactly what I did. If I'm going to be a guinea pig (clinical trial= experimental) then I will do my own little experiment. This is also motivated by the drop in the white count. The white count did not move up significantly during the week off, and today I am actually neutropenic again. At a minimum I believe quite strongly that the herbal regime will boost the white count. And the white blood cells should have some capacity to attack the cancer cells, so the more the merrier, as they say. I will stick with it until the next myeloma blood draw and report of results. So, it will be about a 10 day test. If no adverse consequences, i.e., numbers going up, then I'll stick with it, as I know an herbal treatment will likely take longer to have some effect on the cancer.

Oh, they also measured my PSA (prostate specific antigen),which is .1. That means that the hormone shot they have been giving me (along with the velcade perhaps) is keeping the prostate cancer from growing. My PSA was 7.5 last March which lead to the prostate cancer diagnosis. So that is good, as it looks like it will take some time to get this myeloma in line (or out of my system). I'm scheduled for another hormone shot in a month. Love those hot flashes! NOT! I have developed great empathy (Yes, empathy) for all you women who have gone through menopause and suffered those years of hot flashes. Well, you got nothing on me anymore, my dears. I share your tears, and your sweats.

To put this all in perspective, I overheard a conversation today with a man who needs a transplant and whose autologous (his own) stem cell transplant didn't work and whose sister was not a match, and who they had yet to come up with a match in the national donor bank. Even if they find a match, a transplant from an unrelated donor is a much more difficult prospect than from a sibling. I can count my blessings every day for my brothers' matches.

Incidentally, my mother predicted long ago that Mike would be the match. A mother's intuition is hard to beat. She also said this fall that despite everything I am going through I will be OK--she just has that feeling, she says. Her intuition always threw me. When I was in college and would leave to go visit my friends, such as Spike and Howie in Grand Forks, she always knew the day I would return, even though I wouldn't have decided until that day. I could never understand that. And now she's even agreed to host a party at her house for the bloggers. What a Mom! But then all the people I grew up with have always known that.

Now, about that decision of selecting the proper donor. I see that the "Big Fella" has yet to weigh in on the matter. In reflecting on that I think I understand why. All criteria seem to have a common element: toughness. Whether a fight in the back yard, as I suggested, a test of orneriness as suggested by Joe, a Risk game as suggested by Kathy, or either of Spike's ideas, they all have that same theme. Now, if that is the test, can the Big Fella measure up when he is now going around in drag, masquerading as Mrs. Joshwick? Muscles Mike (his self assigned nickname in high school) would be so ashamed. Perhaps he's suffering some regret about revealing so much of his feminine side in light of the macho tests being recommended. I'm sure his silence has nothing to do with the fact that he is in Steamboat Springs, Colorado skiing.


And for those of you who didn't know, Tom's reference to his blood being able to beat cancer is serious. He recently underwent surgery for prostate cancer (late Jan.) and it appears to have been a great success. He is doing very well, is back at work, and as you can see, has a bit of orneriness still in him. Way to go Tom!

Cousin Rich just called and will be here soon, so I'll sign off. I'm doing fine, the velcade will do its job and I've got my two brothers to back me up if it doesn't. I'll bring you up to date in a week or so. Love, Dan