Thursday, March 5th- Went into to have a biopsy from the mass attached to my rib cage. Doctors went through my back and took a tissue sample from the mass as well as a three inch rib bone sample. I now have a 5 inch cut on the upper left side of my back, healing with stitches. This was supposed to be an outpatient surgery but I ended up staying in the hospital overnight and maybe another day.
Friday, March 6th- Now I am home and very sore/uncomfortable from surgery…. sleeping a lot. Keli is home from spring break and will be taking care of me.
Tuesday, March 10th- Visit to Dr. Dice- diagnosis only for the mass attached to my rib cage…. Plasma cytoma- of the multiple myeloma family- instead of being multiple lesions, this is one lesion. Still need diagnosis for lesions found in my hips….Dr. Dice now wants to take a bone marrow biopsy from both of my hips sometime within the next two weeks. She says that there is a possibility that I have multiple myeloma and the plasma cytoma and that possibly the plasma cytoma could turn into multiple myeloma. She suggests taking some time to get better, get ready for the bone marrow biopsy, and discusses possible treatments to be decided upon within the next month. Possible treatments- Staying here in SA and taking multiple meds, including chemo in a pill. Also suggests chemo in radiation form further along the way. We talked about MD Anderson and Arkansas, but I am not sure that I want to go. Dr. Dice believes that these are all great places, but I must keep in mind that I will be part of clinical trials. Dr. Dice makes me feel very comfortable with her suggestions and why go so far if this is something that I can treat here…..
Thursday, March 12th- Moving around, sleeping and trying to recoup from surgery….
About lunch time I was nauseated and began to vomit. In the process of all of this, we heard a loud pop and I felt a sharp pain in my back- WOW! What the h*** was that?????? Now back in bed, receiving some TLC from family and friends as well as wonderful massage therapy from Tammy and Lisa. Maybe I have a pulled muscle, but we are not sure. All I know is that I am very sore!
Monday, March 16th- Checking into the hospital, still not feeling well at all and my back is hurting!!!! Doctor Dice is not happy with the way I have been feeling this last week, and would like to run more tests. Dr. Dice says I should be getting better by now, and I am really not much better. MRI and CT scan scheduled…. Pumping me full of liquids, I am very dehydrated.
Tuesday, March 17th- MRI and CT scans today….
Tuesday, March 17th Evening- Dr. believes that I have multiple myeloma that has now spread into my spine. Treatment needs to be scheduled ASAP…. Possible chemo (radiation form) beginning tomorrow. Not sure yet. While sick last Thursday, the pop I heard was a collapsed fracture of my L1 in my spine. Tomorrow I will see the doctor about possible back surgery and chemo may be pushed to Thursday.
Wednesday, March 18th- Dr. Atkins will be doing surgery on my back this afternoon. He will go in and put balloons to balance the fracture as well as use bone cement to fill the fracture. While I’m under they are also going to do my bone marrow biopsy. Now on my way to a BQ scan for the lungs…. Just checking everything…. Breathing should be deeper, but the pulmonologist says that because I have had surgery (my biopsy on my back) and have been laying down all the time, my lungs are not expanding as much as they should. He doubts the possibility of pneumonia b/c I have no fever, etc.
Multiple myeloma ribbon color: BURGANDY!
Psalms 6:2
Be merciful to me Lord, for I am faint. Oh Lord, heal me, for my bones are in agony.
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If you go to either M.D. Anderson or Little Rock, you will not be part of any clinical trials unless standard treatment isn't working. You would have the option, if you fit the criterion, of participating in one if you run out of other treatment options - one of the benefits of going to a major cancer center. Others reasons to go to M.D. Anderson/Little Rock are that the radiologists, pulmonologists, etc. are also cancer specialists, and scheduling procedures/treatment is faster. They have an amazing system at Anderson (and I assume Little Rock's would be similar) where there is no wasted time between diagnosis and treatment. Please please please rethink staying in SA for treatment. Love you.
ReplyDeleteSending love from up here in Boston. A favorite prayer from the Episcopal prayerbook, for you while you recovery from today's surgery:
ReplyDeleteThis is another day, O Lord. I know not what it will bring forth, but make me ready, Lord, for whatever it may be. If I am to stand up, help me to stand bravely. If I am to sit still, help me to sit quietly. If I am to lie low, help me to do it patiently. And if I am to do nothing, let me do it gallantly. Make these words more than words, and give me the Spirit of Jesus. Amen.
blessings,
Devin & Iza
ps: May we put you in our parish prayer list?
Hi Terry:
ReplyDeleteI have some scripture for you.
"This is my comfort in my affliction, for Your Word has given me life." Psalm 119:50
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10
Amen!
It was so good to see you yesterday.
With love and blessings,
Lola
Dear Terry:
ReplyDeleteI pray you are doing better and getting some rest.
I have some more scripture for you - nourishment for your spirit!
"For the word of God is living and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the divisiion of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrew 4:12
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrew 4:16
"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him." Lamentations 3:25
"This I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:21-23
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows."
2 Corinthians 1:3-5
Love and blessings over you,
Lola