Finally, an UPDATE!

For whatever reason, I can get into the blog today, so here I am.I will try to update you from the last point I posted.On December 27th, the levels in my system appeared to show remission after only four weeks on the oral chemo cocktail. The doctor was shocked as were we when he told us. Of course, I must say that all of the prayers that have been said and are still being said was the reason for the dramatic remission I experienced.
After the good news of the remission, I had trouble with high blood pressure that has ultimately been taken care of with medicines.
I stopped working at the PD on December 27th due to the high blood pressure, and chemo meds which caused a great deal of mental confusion and blurred vision. I couldn’t read the computer, nor could I drive. That was a real wake up call for us.
Then, on January 5th, I began to experience severe swelling in my right leg, complete with a great deal of pain. I was already scheduled to go to UIC (University of Illinois at Chicago) on Monday, the 8th, for my initial consultation with the oncology team there, but on Monday morning, Donnie called my doctor and he had us come in to the office so he could take a look at the leg. After an ultrasound, I was ordered straight to the hospital where I would spend the next week on more blood thinners to get rid of the blood clot (DVT) that had formed. I was disappointed to have missed the UIC appointment. It was rescheduled for January 22nd. The DVT was still present even then and was a major concern to my doctors, so I had to get rid of the DVT before I could continue any further treatment, including the oral chemo.
Finally, on February 13th, I was put back on the oral chemo meds. The doctor wants me to continue the therapy for three months and have another bone marrow biopsy, to see how much cancer is in the marrow before I can go to UIC for the bone marrow harvest and IV chemotherapy. They want to make sure that the harvest is as “clean” as it can be so that I can get a good outcome when they reintroduce the stem cells.
Therefore, we are still looking at May 2007 for the stay at UIC. I was hoping to be up there this winter to get through the treatment while the weather was bad, but it was not meant to be.
I have had friends and strangers alike sending special messages, prayers, and gifts. A number of people have told me that they have signed up in my honor to walk, run, ride, and donate to the National Leukemia and Lymphoma Society fundraisers that are being held this year. It is a real tribute to people's tender hearts to be thought of in this manner . I so appreciate the thoughts and efforts of friends and family to educate people about Multiple Myeloma.
So, until next time, thank you all for the prayers, love, and support.

Saturday, December 2nd, 2006

After having breakfast, I got all my medicine out this afternoon and checked each off the list as I took the required doses out of the vials. I took the medicine with a prayer for it all to work. My sister LeiLani sent this prayer to me;
Almighty and Eternal God,
You are the everlasting health of those who believe in You.
Hear us for Your sick servant, Donna, for whom we implore the aid of Your tender mercy, that being restored to bodily health; she will be able to give You thanks, through Christ our Lord.
I have received many email messages from my IAWP colleagues and friends. In addition, the board sent a beautiful Dieffenbachia plant with a “Get Well” balloon. It is very much appreciated by me and thoughtful of them to send their show of support in this manner.
My Mom called Friday to say that she has included my prayer intention on the prayer list in her church and several of her Garden Club members have done the same. I can feel the healing prayers.
My Niece, Laine has sent some quotes to me because she will not be out-done by other family members. The last sentence she wrote, I thought was a quote and laughed when I realized it was her way of saying she had to one-up the rest of the lovely quotes I have received and about which I have written. Here is her submission:
"We can let circumstances rule us, or we can take charge and rule our lives from within.” -Earl Nightingale
Great advice, if I ever heard any!
Donnie & I “celebrated” our wedding anniversary on November 30th, (23 + 4 years, if you know what I mean.) He gave me a dozen beautiful red roses that have really opened up today.
Therefore, I have a display in the living room and in the kitchen to admire every time I pass by them. They are very uplifting!
I haven’t felt too much difference since taking the medicine cocktail today. It’d be nice if this continued. I read the pamphlet that came with the Thalidomide and they suggest taking it an hour after dinner. I think that this may be the way to go. I will start taking it at night tomorrow evening and see how I respond to it. I have started down that long road…

Thursday/Friday November 30/December 1, 2006

I spent these two days working with the doctor's office, the pharmacy, my prescription insurance carrier, and the drug manufacturer to obtain the needed oral chemo medicine at a feasible cost. Originally, I was informed that this medicine costs $4000.00 a month. Our secondary pharmacy insurance carrier submitted the request and came back with my co-pay of $1500.00. Uh, a little steep even for one who wants to live. My primary insurance returned with a co-pay of $998.00. No wonder people chose to forego treatment! I guess this is what they mean when they refer to the under-insured or the insured poor. So, Thursday ended on a low note knowing the medicine was at the pharmacy, but just out of reach financially.
On Friday, more phone calls by my pharmacy technician, Izzy, and me. She has been in contact with all of the same people I was calling. At about 4:30 PM, Izzy called me to say that she had gotten an approval from my primary pharmacy insurance carrier to provide the medicine at a co-pay of just $15.00. That's right, negotiations were successful!
After work, I stopped and picked up the medicine. I had the beginning of the treatment for this cancer in my hand. Saturday would be the day.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

I saw my hairdresser today and told them about my diagnosis. More hugs and support. I received a neat quote vial e-mail from my sister Charlotte; "Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending." - Maria Robinson
Another person posted for me to check out www.myeloma.org which I did. One of my colleagues will be bringing me his copy of Lance Armstrong's book. I have my reading list started.
I went to the oncologist to get a new Thalidomide prescription because of problems getting the drug in this area. I turned it in to my local (chain) drugstore and hopefully, they will get it by Thursday. Let's get this party started. It'll be the only cocktail I'll be having for quite some time. :(
I went to work and received supportive news on my job position during my illness. I actually started working for a while and ended up putting in four hours. I saw HR and they are on the case now.
I told a couple more friends and, though it's bad news, I have support and prayers from that many more people.
I received some great e-mail messages, one from my sister-in-law, Debbie and a follow up message from my Niece, Heather. They are both riot's. I look forward to more of their fun messages and demented disease humor.

Monday, November 27th, 2006

I told the people at work today about my cancer diagnosis. My colleagues, Sgt. Nick, Randy, Shannon, and Gloria were very supportive. My Sergeant will call the Chief tonight and fill him in on what's happening and how to proceed. After I told them, I went home, literally exhausted from the experience. I received an organic fruit basket from my sister, Dolly, to keep me healthy. I also received phone calls from my sisters Charlotte & JoJo and from my Niece, Heather. Heather said that she sent a package and I should be looking for it. When I picked up my mail, there it was! The package included a great bookmark that reads, "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is~Emerson. Will do, Niece, will do. There are also two books; "Bald in the land of big hair" by Joni Rodgers and "Cancer Schmancer" by Fran Drescher. The card that came with the package was as awesome as the sender. It made me cry, but in a good way. I know I have an incredible support team; the women in my life. I love you all so very much.

Miscellaneous Info

The diagnosis of Anemia made me feel that at least I had a reason for feeling tired since summer. I had been feeling fatigued since late July and now I had a cause. However, the cause turned out to be a symptom of something worse. I just never figured that I'd be a cancer patient. I do plan on being a cancer survivor, though.
The first time I saw my Oncologist, Dr. Rowland Mbaoma (pronounced "Boama") he surmised I had MM, but I let the name go in one ear and out the other. He sent me to a Gynecologist to make sure everything was okay in that area, and it was.
I have been reading up on the disease but Dr. Mbaoma urges caution on the Internet information. Besides the MMF http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/ , People Living With Cancer http://www.plwc.org/portal/site/PLWC , and the American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org/docroot/HOME/pff/pff_0.asp ,
I will be careful of the information I read.
I have started to tell extended family and close friends. People at work will find out on Monday when I go in.

Treatment Plan

I started Coumadin (blood thinner) on Friday, November 24th and begin the full oral regimen on Monday, November 27th, 2006.
I will have weekly and bi-weekly blood tests and analyses once treatment is started. It is estimated that I will continue the oral treatment for approximately four months. After the oral treatment is finished, I will go to the University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital for in-house chemotherapy and bone marrow therapy.