My well water doesn’t meet state drinking water standards because of low pH. I’m having it corrected soon. Culligan will be here Monday to install a treatment system, including a tank to correct the pH, a conditioner and a reverse osmosis filter. When it’s all done, I’ll be able to drink the water at the kitchen sink and do away with the bottled water I’ve been having delivered for the last several years.
Author: Beth
I was diagnosed with MM in January of 2003. I underwent various treatments, including thalidomide/dex, revlimid/dex, dex alone, a clinical trial of CNTO 328, and Velcade, Doxil and dex until late August, 2007, when I had an autologous stem cell transplant after high dose melphalan. I experienced what's known as a very good partial response (VGPR). Since then, my myeloma has been stable.
I want my friends and family to know how grateful I am for their support. Thanks to E for calling several times a day, and to M for checking in at least once a week. Thank you G for taking the time to stay in touch even though your mom passed away. Thanks to D for coming to see me and calling when you can. Thanks S for the email and coming to see me in a few weeks.
Thanks to all my family for tolerating my moods and helping with the things I’m not supposed to do myself anymore. Thanks for driving me to appointments and thanks for getting things for me when I’m sick.
It’s only been 5 months since I was diagnosed, but you have all been there for me before and haven’t abandoned me. I appreciate all that you do, and am forever in your debt.
I took my dex last night and fell asleep without the help of any other drugs. I also didn’t have any trouble staying asleep. This morning I have that speedy feeling I usually get with dexamethasone: rapid heart rate, shakiness, etc. I hope I can remain calm today. One day last week I really lost control and had an explosion of rage.
I have an appointment at the Coumadin clinic today. I take mine in the the mornings so it won’t interfere with my cancer drugs, which I take at night.
I have no appointments today, and am over the effects of my weekly dex pulse, so I am going to enjoy the day. There are things I can do at the office, errands I can run and things to do around the house. My brother has been here fixing things and taking care of the yard, so there’s not a lot to do here. I’ll just start the day with some red tea.
When you have a disease that has the potential to kill you much sooner than you expected to go, you start thinking about things differently. You also think about things that never occurred to you before at all. I find myself being envious of older people. I wonder if they know how lucky they are to be 60 or 70 years old? Possibly not. I never appreciated my own good fortune. I took it for granted. The funny thing is, I now consider myself lucky! I even said that to my doctor yesterday. I am lucky that my MM was found before I became very sick or had broken bones. I’m lucky that I have a supportive family and staff at work. There are a lot of things to be grateful for.
Dr. Orlowski cleared me to use Zometa again, so I had a 30 minute infusion this morning. I hate having a needle in my hand, but that seems to be their favorite place for it. It makes it difficult to do anything. I normally take my Palm Pilot and play solitaire. Today I played left-handed.
This afternoon I need to go to the coumadin clinic and then to see my primary care physician for a check up. He just likes to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. He’s a good guy. I have him to thank for finally finding out what was wrong with me.
I appreciate you for doing this website. It is a marvel. Thanks. Many myelomics need a place just like this…non intimidating, friendly, hopeful. Please continue to keep us posted about your activities, life and treatment. We are al in this together! (Still jealous “cause you have the best doctor!) B
Dr. Orlowski put me on coumadin as a preventative for deep vein thrombosis. One of the requirements of being on the drug is weekly testing to make sure the blood is at the desired International Normalized Ratio, or INR. An INR of 2.5 to 3.0 indicates the appropriate dosage. I’ve been enrolled in a Coumadin Clinic to keep tabs on my INR. My first blood draw will be tomorrow. For a while, I’ll report to the Coumadin Clinic at least weekly to have my INR monitored. I’m used to having lots of blood drawn now. I’d estimate that I’ve had at least 30 venipunctures since January!
Ugh! I lied. I wasn’t able to sleep well last night at all. I was up until 1:30 or so, then woke up at 5:00 am. Next time, I know I need to take the Ambien, no matter what I think is going to happen.
I’m very tired now, and am going to take a Xanax to help me relax. Dex winds you up pretty tight, so even if you’re tired, it can be difficult to get rest. I have that terrible indigestion, so dinner might be out of the question. Dex is pretty hard on the stomach.
Take a look at all the possible side effects of dexamethasone. Click here