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It's been quite a journey. That's what I keep thinking. From November of last year until yesterday. But this is the first time I heard the word "remission" from my oncologist. Last week we drew blood to test for my light chain ratio to verify things. Light chains combine with other substances in the blood to form a sticky protein called amyloid, which impairs the function of whichever organ in which it may accumulate and that came up clean. In fact there is barely any sign of Myeloma in my system at all. My creatnine levels in my kidneys came up normal which has been monitored heavily during this entire time since chemotherapy can really take a toll on them. If it's my time to go the side effects of chemo could very well do me in moreso than the cancer itself.

Well, I finally completed the stem cell collection. A two week procedure that ended up taking 79 days. I've always been special.

Before things started, I had a meeting with the chief nurse of the Gold Team, the team that oversees my procedure, and a doctor covering for Dr. Bensigner while he was out. We were to go over all the procedures and I was to sign the necessary consent forms but before that started I took over the meeting. I let them know in no uncertain terms that there was NOT going to be a repeat of last time. And I know they don't want that either but I wanted them to know I wasn't going to just go with the flow on this. I told them how last time the nurse who placed an IV in my arm opened the bag the IV tube was in with his teeth and how I didn't think anything of it then but in light of the fact I was infected with a bacteria found only in the hospital environment that I didn't want that done again. They both commented that wasn't their standard procedure (sh'yeah, no sh**) but would follow up with the surgical team to make sure they knew what happened.

Been on an extended break from SCCA other than a weekly appointment to make sure my health is going fine. After my bout with sepsis and several rounds of anti-biotics the medical staff there graciously offered to not revisit the stem cell harvest until after the Independence Day holiday weekend.

Remember how I said things are gonna be doozy in my last blog entry? I really short changed myself with that statement. Haven't blogged in awhile due to health issues which I am about to get into.

Well, not quite but about as close as I'm gonna get.

On Thursday I finally had the Hickman Catheter put in me. NOT a fun procedure. WAS told that Dr. Hickman was in the building earlier in the the day but that went over my head. My wife and I went to surgical prep and I got changed. Sat with a nurse who talked to us on what to expect out of the whole thing as well as sign numerous papers. Bascially, I would get a tube put into my jugular vein that would have a divided tube on the other end to be used for the infusion process in the stem cell collection as well as when a blood draw is needed to be done. However I have to be put under "conscious sedation" for the procedure which I hate. Every time I come out of it I'm car sick as anything.

Harvesting one's stem cells is turning out to be a much bigger to do than originally thought.

Been a bit low on the radar lately as I went on a break from chemotherapy the past couple weeks. As always, a good time for it as the symptoms from it had been slowly getting stronger with each session. Not nearly as bad as before, the injection procedure does seem to lessen the side-effects, but I can think of better things to do with my time than to be dealing with them.

Two for the price of one this week as I've had two visits with my primary doctor, Dr. Ward, since my last blog post. Been busy with house work and errands during that time but that's good thing. At least I'm up for BEING busy doing them.

That's where I am right now. It's like I'm waiting for a table at a Chinese restaurant. Here's why.

"I don't know."

When you ask that you don't want to hear those words. So I'm entering my third round of chemotherapy and its been extended for ten weeks with no break but going weekly instead of twice a week. Recent research has shown that weekly treatments of Velcade, the anti-cancer agents used to fight Myeloma, can reduce the neuropathic symptoms that have pretty much taken over my entire lower half of my body and my hands and arms. My doctor has said my body is at the point of progression in fighting the disease that he had hoped to be at by now and not only wanted to reduce the neuropathy but ensure it wouldn't cause any permanent damage.

So I'm thinking how much Star Trek's Project: Genesis reminds me of my own situation in some ways. Genesis would take an existing planet and completely change its landscape, much like how everything seems to always be changing for me and how it challenges me to stay ahead of the curve each and every time.

It's been three months now, living with the reality of cancer. Two months of chemotherapy. And the picture keeps getting more and more daunting with no end in sight. I have to accept, moreso than anything else, this is a permanent lifestyle change.

Kicked off my second round of chemotherapy after a week break. The break was timed right as that at the end of things I felt completely washed out. As therapy has progressed, a few more side effects cropped up. Fine motor control in my hands has been affected so buttoning shirts, zipping coats up is more difficult, though not impossible. But I can't draw anymore which is frustrating for this former art student but at least I can still type.

First time I've said it. I-hate-all-this. At least I made it to my week break in chemo for round 1.

Two more rounds to go. Six sessions each with week break in between. I'm at the point where the anti-cancer agents and steroids have really kicked in. Where after the first week they were mildly afflicting, though quite a number of them, but now things have stepped up. I continuously feel as though I'm running a marathon in sand with my heart beating wildly. My body aches throughout and I have insomnia, not sleeping more than 4 hours at a time. I've bloated up to the point where I have something of a gut hanging over by belt buckle. I feel like I look like a Boeing Swing Shift worker. (JK) And foods don't quite taste the same anymore as that some things taste very plain now. I've been throwing a lot of pepper, tabasco sauce and stuff on foods just to try and jazz things up. I seem to be able to taste sugar, but not so much on salt.

Two days done. It's all down hill from here!

Chemotherapy has been interesting, that's for sure. My first day they drew blood from one arm and then stuck an IV in the other. While I'm being worked on I realize there's 9 other people in the room and I'm the youngest one there and I'm 45! All are retired, a couple in their late 90's. I can't fathom anyone of that age weathering thru chemo. It takes a helluva lot out of you. It's something of an invasive procedue getting pin-pricked anywhere from 2-4x a week. When I'm done I usally go home and collapse on the sofa.

Kinda waiting again. This time just for my health insurance to approve my doctor's recommened method of treatment. He isn't too worried as that they've approved this same procedure for many, many other patients but he can't proceed until they say "go." Says its the typical HMO red tape and not to worry about it.

Seriously.

This past week is the week I told people my current state of affairs in regards to my health issues. As a test run, I started telling the moderators who I work with at ComicBloc who were all wonderfully supportive. They exemplify why ComicBloc has evolved from a message board into a community.

Well, a heckuva way to end the week that's for sure.

It's official: stage 2 myeloma. Or basically, its definitely cancer. At least the unknowing of what the next step is to be is done with. Now I have a game plan.

Soooo....I am playing the waiting game. Again.

I had a bone biopsy done in November of 2009 after an annual blood test I took to monitor my high blood pressure (which in itself is a story) showed some anomalies. My doctor forwarded the results to my cardiologist who forwarded them to an oncologist who performed a bone biopsy as a result. Last year my tests came back okay (with some minor issues regarding white blood cell count) with my new doctor recommending a biopsy every other year but my last blood test in November suggests that my white blood cell count is increasing rapidly.

So I had a dream the other night with the two elements any fanboy would require in their dream: being a super-hero and a hot Hollywood actress! I was Spider-Man! (Spider-man, Spider-Man...does whatever a spider can....) And I was a member of the Avengers! Cap is asking for someone to sub for him at some press conference. Awkward silence. You can hear crickets. Then Thor looks at me and says "Thou art the newbie here. Be the warrior and answer the call." So I catch the clue and raise my hand and with my best Arnold Horshack impression I go "Oh! Oh! OH OH! I wanna do it!" Cap goes "Sold to the sucker...um, honored Avenger in the spider suit." Not wanting to go down without a fight, I summon up as much snark as I can and go "But only if you get Jessica Alba to do it with me!" Cap looks cross at me and says "We'll see." You haven't been dressed down until you've been stared down by Cap. Even if it is just Chris Evans under that mask.