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Sunday, November 20, 2016

Back to Kilimanjaro Training

Just wrapped up my first cycle of darzalex. Lab results were fantastic. Almost unbelievable how much improvement there is after one cycle.  But we'll take it. I can say I am definitely feeling better. Still having the crash today, two days after chemo. But yesterday I felt well enough to go on a short hike. Kilimanjaro is just 3 months away. Short work week coming up. Berenson Wednesday.  Chemo Friday. It'll be in the hospital since Phan's office is closed.  Should be smooth and easy. We've got it down to about five hours. It is the hospital so let's add a couple of hours.


Thursday, November 17, 2016

11.0 and 2.52

Dayum!!!  That creatinine is dropping like crazy. Good news. Thanks Darzalex. And blood counts going up, meaning increased energy. Tomorrow is day 22 of cycle 1. Might try and get a hike in on Saturday, gotta get back to Kilimanjaro training.

Friday, November 11, 2016

Latest labs

The doctors say that darzalex goes to work quickly because it targets the cancer cells. I'm no oncologist but I do know that finally my blood counts are going up and creatinine is dropping. Hemoglobin is 10.8 which means no procrit shot for first time in a couple of months. Creatinine is 2.82, meaning my kidneys are definitely out of failure territory. So I'd say something is going on.

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

hashtag of the day #fuckthisshit

Feeling ok physically after a couple of rounds of darzalex. But I'm in a horrible mood and really not happy with work and all that goes with it. It has absolutely zero value to me (other than a paycheck). My time working could end sooner than anticipated. And that's my update. Day 15 this Friday.

Friday, November 4, 2016

Done and Done

Problem free day with darzalex. Took about 6 hours. Next time it should take 4. The beauty of it all is I'll have insomnia tonight from the dex but that's ok because tomorrow is Saturday and don't have work or anything. I'm gonna stay up all night. Where's the black jack table?

2.79

Lowest creatinine since being diagnosed. 2.79. Yay kidneys!

Darzalez 8.5

Met someone at Phan's office who has been on darzalex for 10 months. Working like a charm.

Here's me, half way through the bag, with my favorite nurse.


Darzalex day 8

#SkolVikings #myeloma #MM4MM

Training hard for Kilimanjaro


Thursday, November 3, 2016

Darzalex Day 7, 5 and 1/2 years

A chemo cycle is 28 days. For the first two months of this new regimen, I'll be doing chemo every Friday, on days 1, 8, 15 and 22. Then start again. Tomorrow is day 8 of the cycle, but it'll be my second time getting darzalex. We'll do it in Phan's office which is way better than the hospital. Another reaction is unlikely.


Today is day 7 of the cycle. I'm a bit achy again. Moved around a lot during the night, one room to another trying to find just the right, pain free spot to sleep. Poor Gracie follows me around, waiting for me to get settled. I'm sure she's happy to get a nap in when I leave to work.


Also of note, yesterday was November 2. That makes 5 and 1/2 since original diagnosis. 66 months.  Finally my brain is working again after the 27 hour infusion of last weekend.



Berenson Oncology Success Rate

 Some reading about my myeloma specialist's success rate. A press release and an article from Targeted Oncology.