Latest Plan

Update from Dad’s Appointment with Dr. Kathleen Dorritie (Oncologist)

• Dad will continue with 2 more cycles (about 2 months) of his current DPD regimen:
  Darzalex, Pomalyst, and dexamethasone (steroid).
• After those 2 cycles:
• Darzalex will continue monthly.
• Pomalyst will continue daily (21 days on, 1 week off).
• Steroids (dexamethasone) will be stopped. When this happens, Dad’s energy may dip until his body adjusts.
• January 8th: Dad is scheduled for a PET Scan.
• Good news: Dad’s Myeloma is responding well to treatment.
• His Kappa-Lambda Light Chain Ratio is back to normal (his Myeloma is “Kappa” type).
• His M-Spike has dropped from 1.0 → 0.3 since starting this treatment.
• Long term: Dad will stay on Pomalyst until the Myeloma becomes resistant, but there are other treatment options for when that time comes.
• Labs: Request Myeloma labs monthly instead of every 2 months when Dad gets treatments.
• Other medical notes:
• Ask PCP for a referral to Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab.
• Talk to Dr. Sun Scolari (cardiologist) about adjusting Lasix dosage. Dad’s lungs are clear, swelling is not significant, and kidneys are tolerating the medication, but frequent urination is bothersome.

To-Do List

1. Continue 2 more cycles of Darzalex, Pomalyst, and dexamethasone.
2. Mark January 8th PET Scan on the calendar.
3. After 2 cycles: transition to monthly Darzalex + daily Pomalyst (21 days on/1 off), stop dexamethasone.
4. Expect possible lower energy for a bit after stopping steroids.
5. Request monthly Myeloma labs during treatments.
6. Ask PCP about Cardio-Pulmonary Rehab referral.
7. Talk with Dr. Sun Scolari about Lasix dosage concerns.

Notes

• Oncologist: Kathleen Dorritie
• PA Oncology: Tina Waters
• Cardiologist: Sun Scolari
• Pulmonologist: Roy Semaan
• PCP: Mark Knestrick

Happy Birthday #71

 It was a good day to sing to Ralph…🥳🎂🎉

Living Plan B

 Since Ralph’s remission ended, in April, I’ve done a lot of praying that Ralph will respond well to his treatments again.  Some symptoms such as overeating and aggression (steroids), sweats, and leg cramps have returned to be tolerated.  The first day “off” chemo makes him shaky.  Remarkably, he has NEVER missed work, in 16 years, unless he was hospitalized.

I’ve also been thinking about all that we’ve been blessed to enjoy…walked two daughters and a son down the aisle, and welcomed 7 grandchildren…four girls then three boys! We’ve enjoyed family vacations, trips to Michigan to visit our son and his family, many holidays, birthdays and anniversaries, grandkid s’ sporting events, and many weekends poolside with our kids!

Under a gray cloud, we’ve been living our best lives!

Great News!

 Today was Dr Raptis’ last day. 16+ years. We sure will miss knowing that Ralph is in his care!  We wish him years of relaxing and doing things that make him happiest!  What a difference he has made in this world…our world!🙏 When I  went in for our first conference, he asked me why I was crying, and I said I didn’t know. He remarked, I’ll tell you when to cry. He never told me to cry. He only gave me hope!

Since two months ago, M spikes went down from 1.2 to .6 so Ralph will stay on this treatment path for next 4 months. Dr. Dorritie will be taking his file. She has been with the clinic since 2012 and specializes in Myeloma.

He asked the nurse practitioner if he could be featured in some type of magazine bc, you know, he is an inspiration. 🙃

I Hope You Dance