An update

It has been a while but what can I say... Things are going well.

I got my test results back today and my cancer #'s are up but not too bad.  I have put on some weight so I will be hammering at that starting NOW !!  That has historically lowered those #'s and I'm can't see why it won't again.

Dr. was pleased but not enough to let me go more than 3 months before the next checkup.

I have struggled with numbness and weakness mostly on my left side off and on.  I had a flair-up starting yesterday at 1:00 where my left foot and lower leg made the decision to just go to sleep, they didn't ask me first.  Then my left arm decided to join the party and what the hey, why not the left side of my face! It happens and I know that this too shall pass.

So.... I'm been avoiding going to the neurologist for a couple of years now and it has come time to give in, Jenni my wife was ready to tie me up and take me by force.  It is always written down at the end of my oncologist visit that they recommend I see one.  I will see him in April right after they scan my brain.  I'm sure not much will be found there but a big void.

Just because MS runs in my family everyone seem to point me in that direction.  Well, I have "multiple myeloma" why not "multiple sclerosis"  I will keep things "multiple".   This is not to say that I have MS, I don't think I do.  I will at least get a reprieve from everyone worrying about it and will get back to just being me.


The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

A normal life

Just a quick note...

All is well here.  No bone growth yet.  Next visit in December.  My GP said there is a good chance that the bones won't grow back together.  Age and a non-weight bearing bone sometimes means it never grows back together.  Not a big problem, it really doesn't hurt. 

The weather here was fantastic the last couple of weeks. So I had a long talk with my primary care person and Dr. Steven gave me permission to get back on the bike.  First weekend 53 miles in 2 days.  Last weekend 42 miles.  Dr. me is easy to work with !

California has everything. Last Monday heading off on a business trip to Merced Ca.  & driving by Elk Grove just south of Sacramento and I saw the following:

That is a tornado forming.  Watched it for a couple of min.  Fun,  Did some minor damage but no injuries or homes lost.

That's about all that's going on here for now.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

The fight is over... But not the life..

A blog friend of mine Dan Patterson died of MM today.  I have never met this man in person or heard his voice on the phone.  However, I can't stopped crying.  He was one of the first people who reached out to me when I was first diagnosed with MM. Both of the first 2  supporters of me, when I was scared and knew nothing about what I was facing, have now passed on.

I'm truly grateful for all their support and kindness to a person they never knew,  They took time out of their lives and gave support to me.  They didn't have to do that but the people they were inside came out and shined through.

I hope that I can give back just a little of what they gave.  They were truly special people.

I think it is really important for me right now to do two things.

First, to thank the three people who became friends during the toughest times of their lives.

Karen, the first to help.. Rest and be there when I arrive. You showed me I could live with this and still live a happy and full life.

Dan,  a rock when I really needed one. He showed me how to fight and not feel sorry for myself. He always had a kind word and support when I really needed it.

Susie, who showed me the importance and value of care givers.  She showed me the importance of thanking, as often as I can, my wife, for the care and love she gives me through this!

Second, to thank the people who are supporting me now.

EZ and Linda... WOW.. what can I say.. Great brother and sister in the Lord who have made a difference time and time again in the last 2 years.  I can't tell you how much joy I get in reading your blog each day!  A fantastic man and a great wife who is helping him through this.  Add to that a great family and I have a fantastic picture of what is possible, even with the struggle of a crazy cancer like MM.  Linda, you also show me the blessing that I have in Jenni.  You and Jenni would be such good friends.  True women of God!

Nick, who showed me the true meaning of how to fight.  Prayers to you and keep showing me and others the reality of what it means to not give in.

Roobeedoo, Keep reminding me that it isn't just me going through this and to thank my care giver, Jenni my wife, as much as I can!  You're a rock but at the same time you show the true side of this cancer and what it does to families. Keep posting...

I know that I'm emotional and rambling but I don't care.  It is how I can deal with the sorrow of this great loss, to his family, to his friends, and in a special way, in my life.  It will be a little harder now to face some of the little things I complain about.  I won't be able to run to the computer to see a post from Dan bring me back to a reasonable perspective about my situation,  God speed to you Dan and thank you for all you have done for me.

From my perspective... You were a great man who can not be replaced!

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Update

Hey everyone...

It has been a while since I have posted.  Waiting for things to move forward but they seem to stay the same on multiple fronts.

First:  My Myeloma... They did a test and my PN isn't related to it.  That means that my myeloma is asymptomatic.  That's good news.  They want me to go to a neurologist to do more testing.  If I have what they suspect, I just would rather not know, so I will stay on my PN meds and tough out the bad days and rejoice on the good days.

Second:  My Clavicle and the three broken ribs.  It mostly doesn't hurt.  Mildly aches from time to time.  I'm over 2 months out since the accident and I still have no bone growth,  My Ortho surgeon just smiled and said " you are over 50" !  Thanks for that ... I go back the end of September to check it again.  I do expect bone growth then based on how well I feel.  No bike riding until the Spring of 2013 :-(.

Last:  My job is still great.  Hard to believe I landed such a great job.  God smiled down on me with this one.

So....  All in all things are going well.  I continue to pray for all my Myeloma blog friends and work hard to be thankful for the blessings God has chosen to send my way.

The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Healing

Ya....  Today I got the sling off...  Dr. set me up for physical therapy but I don't think I will need much.  After working with the arm most of the day I have a range of motion equal to my right arm.  It is still a little puffy and sore but that is expected as  I haven't used it in a month.  It will be sore but I can work through that.


Dr. said still not much bone growth yet but normal for my age.  I'm right where he expect me to be.  Only 2 restrictions,  first: 10lb max on lifting,  second: no exercise that carries with it a chance of falling and re-injuring the clavicle.  He said it is stable but not strong until I get strong bone growth.  I will hit the gym but leave the bike in the garage for another month.


The Tour De Tahoe is September 9th.  I'm still focused on doing it but I'm also a realist and I know I won't match last years time.


On the myeloma front, they are ordering a new test to see if I have amyloidosis.  He will let me know what the test shows a few days later.  Not too worried about that.  I have moved from a 6 month watch list back to a 3 month watch list.  Things are moving but all in all a lot to be thankful for and nothing to be over worried about.


So... The arm is healing and the myeloma is behaving itself.  Life is good!


The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Crash....

I crashed my bike.  After 30 years riding my bike I finally went down. Broken clavicle, 3 ribs and a lot of general soreness.  The reason I crashed is a mystery.  I blacked out just before an intersection.  Came to when I was going through and then crashed.

They haven't set my clavicle because I have to see a surgeon to do that.  Feels creepy with the bone rubbing and generally unstable.

More after the visit.

Update:

Went to the Dr. and I have a "Z" fracture of my left clavicle.  So that means surgery to put a plate in and put it all back together again.

Update:

I will stop the blow by blow commentary on the injury soon.  I know this because I got a great nights sleep.  My recliner works good to sleep in with my 3 broken ribs!  All in all I feel really good this morning.  Pain controlled, arm getting better every day and I'm already able to withdraw from some of my meds.  I'm truly blessed with great family, friends and Facebook-blog friends!

 The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...

Strange Blood Work

I got my full blood tests back today.  It was a total mix bag of good and bad news.  How can my M-spike go way down.  My IgG go down but my Kappa/Lambda numbers go crazy !  I'm up a full 1% in the ratio in 6 months.  Plus my RBC is now 3.83 and my HGB is 12.7.  I'm noticing that my bike rides are harder climbing hills... Is there a connection?  I just don't know.

So I had an appointment with my Oncologist but it had to be cancelled at the last min. due to her being called to the hospital.  No problem with that as I'm sure that the person there was much more in need that I am.  I totally expect her to tell me that all is OK and to stop worrying.  I've done this before, worried about #'s that are no big deal.  Because I have almost 2 weeks until I can see her again I called the IMF hotline.   She called me back but I was gone.  She gave me her direct line and I will call her tomorrow. 

So... I will relax and be glad I feel good and keep riding my bike.  When all else fails go out do a quick 26+ mile and kill those little buggers!

I will post when I have more info... Still thankful that I feel this good and pray that all the readers of this blog are doing as good as I am.

 The body is sick, but thanks to Jesus the soul is alive and well...