Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Ralph's back...
Ralph's plan to go to the store on Sunday was ruined by his lower back pain. He spent most of the day in pain, but at around 6PM, he seemed to find some relief, and then, he couldn't sit still. He had visitors which was a welcomed distraction. He seemed to walk better on Monday morning. In the afternoon, he completed his first round of chemo. The side effects that Ralph experiences is anxiousness, tingling in his face and fingers, diarrhea or constipation, and tiredness. Today, he saw the oncology radiologist who told him that he did have a crack in his lower back, as well, from weakened bones (evident from the original diagnosis, but no one remembered hearing that). The doctor suggested that Ralph wait because mixing radiation with chemo is not favored. Possibly the chemo will take care of it.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Last week....
Ralph had a better week after a horrific Valentine's weekend. He still is troubled by lower back pain, but the doctors did not seemed too concerned. If it does not subside, they will order an X-Ray, but they seem to think it is an effect of the shots given to boost his white blood cell count.
This week, Ralph was able to, briefly, go out of the house, with his brother, to get fresh air and to finish a little paperwork. He feels best when he is moving. After his third IV chemo treatment on Thursday, he was quite anxious. He had a difficult time sitting still and talked unceasingly. On Friday, he found more peace. Ralph ventured out on Saturday afternoon alone. He drove to the mall and to a friend's house for lunch. That pretty much wore him out for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Hopefully, he will find more energy and less pain, today. Tomorrow, he finishes his first round of IV chemo and will have 2 weeks off.
Again, prayers and good thoughts are much appreciated. Thank you for caring and for your support!
This week, Ralph was able to, briefly, go out of the house, with his brother, to get fresh air and to finish a little paperwork. He feels best when he is moving. After his third IV chemo treatment on Thursday, he was quite anxious. He had a difficult time sitting still and talked unceasingly. On Friday, he found more peace. Ralph ventured out on Saturday afternoon alone. He drove to the mall and to a friend's house for lunch. That pretty much wore him out for the rest of the afternoon and evening. Hopefully, he will find more energy and less pain, today. Tomorrow, he finishes his first round of IV chemo and will have 2 weeks off.
Again, prayers and good thoughts are much appreciated. Thank you for caring and for your support!
What is a Round?
Ralph has chemo on Mondays and Thursdays for 2 weeks. Each day that he has IV chemo (Velcade) and the day after, he also takes 40 mg of Decadron, a steroid. Beginning on the first day of chemo and for 21 days, he takes 200mg of Thalidomide. Another round begins after 2 weeks off. We heard 4 to 5 rounds before stem-cell replacement.
Ralph has experienced anxiousness, tingling in his face and fingers, and tiredness, but he has had no nausea, diarrhea, or constipation, which are other possibilities. Hair loss is not a side effect of this particular treatment.
Ralph has experienced anxiousness, tingling in his face and fingers, and tiredness, but he has had no nausea, diarrhea, or constipation, which are other possibilities. Hair loss is not a side effect of this particular treatment.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Valentine's Weekend...
Ralph's lower back is hurting and he has an obvious limp. We are hoping that it is from the bone strengthening medicine. We were able to eat at Angelo's on Friday night. Ralph had every intention of going into the office on Saturday afternoon, but as the day progressed, so did his back pain and pain from constipation. Saturday was a very uncomfortable day for Ralph, and he had a horrific night. At 6:00AM, the doctor recommended an enema and magnesium citrate. Fortunately, Ralph found some relief, and we did not need to go to the hospital. Tomorrow, he gets blood work and has another chemo treatment. Hopefully, he will get answers to why his back hurts and a prescription for relief. Michael, Erin, Megan, and Nathan came for dinner (They cooked.). Ralph was not able to join us for dinner but enjoyed the kids visiting. After they left, he ventured downstairs and wanted to eat. His back pain seemed less, and he no longer felt constipated from medications.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Treatments...
Ralph was unable to receive chemo on Monday because his white blood cell count was low. Apparently, this is not uncommon. To boost the level, he was given a shot on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for chemo on Thursday. Hopefully, all conditions will be optimal, and he'll begin Round #1. He did, however, receive a 2 hour IV treatment to strengthen his bones.
Monday was also 14 days after his last radiation. Supposedly, the full effect of radiation is not seen until day 14 or 15 afterwards. We have noticed better movement and usage of his right arm! Maybe the bone strengthening and radiation, combined, helped.
He is achy from the bone treatment and injections to boost his white blood count but is still managing to go into the office for a few hours or travels to do an appraisal. He cannot drive because of the pain medications, but his brother is retired and willingly chauffeurs! Hopefully, he will be off pain meds soon and will be independent, once again.
Monday was also 14 days after his last radiation. Supposedly, the full effect of radiation is not seen until day 14 or 15 afterwards. We have noticed better movement and usage of his right arm! Maybe the bone strengthening and radiation, combined, helped.
He is achy from the bone treatment and injections to boost his white blood count but is still managing to go into the office for a few hours or travels to do an appraisal. He cannot drive because of the pain medications, but his brother is retired and willingly chauffeurs! Hopefully, he will be off pain meds soon and will be independent, once again.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
The Plan...
On Friday, Ralph will have a pick line placed at the Washington Hospital in preparation for his chemo treatments that will begin on Monday. A pick line is an IV that stays in your vein so that the patient does not have to be stuck with a needle each time. Later, he will have a port placed for the stem-cell replacement. The catheter for that procedure needs to be thicker and the diameter larger than a regular port for chemo.
Ralph will have up to 4 rounds of chemo, which is understood as up to 4 months, in preparation for a stem-cell transplant. (That part was a little confusing, but as time passes, it will be better understood.) The chemo treatments, fortunately, will be given at UPMC in Meadowlands. He does not go back to Hillman until there is a 3 hour intake meeting to discuss how well the multiple myeloma has responded to chemo and to explain the stem-cell transplant. That date has not been given. He will also receive a drug to strengthen his bones.
The only restrictions Ralph has been given is to be careful because his bones are weak. He is not to do heavy lifting or bend over, too much, to protect his spine. He hopes to be able to find more relief in his shoulder without pain medication and to be able to work part time, at least. Ralph seemed relieved that aggressive treatment would begin. He is anxious to get started, be able to golf again, and have this all behind him. The doctor assured him that he would golf and that Hillman would take care of him.
The past weeks have been a fog for Ralph. Yesterday, he read over his visitor list and through his cards. He was touched by so many who care and became quite emotional. Your visits, cards, phone calls, emails, etc. give him motivation to fight. Thank you!
Those who have reached out to our family in sincere concern and support give us strength, as well. Kind words and generous offers and actions will never be forgotten and are greatly appreciated. Bless you!
Please continue your prayers for Ralph's strength and courage and for the guidance for doctors and researchers to find the cure.
Ralph will have up to 4 rounds of chemo, which is understood as up to 4 months, in preparation for a stem-cell transplant. (That part was a little confusing, but as time passes, it will be better understood.) The chemo treatments, fortunately, will be given at UPMC in Meadowlands. He does not go back to Hillman until there is a 3 hour intake meeting to discuss how well the multiple myeloma has responded to chemo and to explain the stem-cell transplant. That date has not been given. He will also receive a drug to strengthen his bones.
The only restrictions Ralph has been given is to be careful because his bones are weak. He is not to do heavy lifting or bend over, too much, to protect his spine. He hopes to be able to find more relief in his shoulder without pain medication and to be able to work part time, at least. Ralph seemed relieved that aggressive treatment would begin. He is anxious to get started, be able to golf again, and have this all behind him. The doctor assured him that he would golf and that Hillman would take care of him.
The past weeks have been a fog for Ralph. Yesterday, he read over his visitor list and through his cards. He was touched by so many who care and became quite emotional. Your visits, cards, phone calls, emails, etc. give him motivation to fight. Thank you!
Those who have reached out to our family in sincere concern and support give us strength, as well. Kind words and generous offers and actions will never be forgotten and are greatly appreciated. Bless you!
Please continue your prayers for Ralph's strength and courage and for the guidance for doctors and researchers to find the cure.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
To date...
Ralph has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma....it causes the body to produce more plasma than needed, then the plasma eats the bones. It is treatable but has no cure, as of this date.
In September, his shoulder began to hurt...2 Advil and he was still hitting golf balls. At Thanksgiving, it worsened, and he lost most of his mobility. Everyone, including his orthopedic doctor, thought he had bursitis or maybe something was torn. An x-ray showed everything as normal. The doctor gave him a shot and advised Ralph to return if it was not better in 10 days.
On January 7th, he had an MRI. On January 8th, he got a severe pain in his back. On January 9th, the ER thought that he was having severe muscle spasms from overcompensating for his right shoulder. On January 12th, the MRI revealed a mass on his shoulder (we have since heard a hole in the bone) and from that day on, his pain became excruciating. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks....had a compressed fracture in his spine and 2 broken ribs (possibly from the chiropractor when Ralph tried that option for relief in the shoulder.)
We have heard many positive stories about people who have this disease. Ralph's is not the worst or the most rare type of myeloma, and it is not seen in any of his major organs. He has had 5 radiation treatments. His pain is manageable.
Sloan Kettering, in NYC, reviewed his records and agreed that UPMC would treat him as they would. On February 4, 2009, he meets with the doctor at the Hillman Center, in Shadyside, to discuss a plan of treatment.
Ralph is at home trying to build his stamina and maintain some normalcy. He enjoys phone calls, visits, and cards. Your continued prayers and thoughts are always appreciated.
In September, his shoulder began to hurt...2 Advil and he was still hitting golf balls. At Thanksgiving, it worsened, and he lost most of his mobility. Everyone, including his orthopedic doctor, thought he had bursitis or maybe something was torn. An x-ray showed everything as normal. The doctor gave him a shot and advised Ralph to return if it was not better in 10 days.
On January 7th, he had an MRI. On January 8th, he got a severe pain in his back. On January 9th, the ER thought that he was having severe muscle spasms from overcompensating for his right shoulder. On January 12th, the MRI revealed a mass on his shoulder (we have since heard a hole in the bone) and from that day on, his pain became excruciating. He was in the hospital for 2 weeks....had a compressed fracture in his spine and 2 broken ribs (possibly from the chiropractor when Ralph tried that option for relief in the shoulder.)
We have heard many positive stories about people who have this disease. Ralph's is not the worst or the most rare type of myeloma, and it is not seen in any of his major organs. He has had 5 radiation treatments. His pain is manageable.
Sloan Kettering, in NYC, reviewed his records and agreed that UPMC would treat him as they would. On February 4, 2009, he meets with the doctor at the Hillman Center, in Shadyside, to discuss a plan of treatment.
Ralph is at home trying to build his stamina and maintain some normalcy. He enjoys phone calls, visits, and cards. Your continued prayers and thoughts are always appreciated.
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