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Treatment time nears

Just not for me yet, but rather for Edie.

I knew I shouldn't have gone with Edie to her oncologists appointment last week. (I'm not as superstitious as I once was, but .....) The results of her latest tests, showed a relatively rapid progression of her multiple myeloma.

I just wasn't ready for her oncologist's suggestion she start treatment so soon. She offered two options, Vincristin, Adriamycin and Dexamethasone (VAD) or Thalidomide and Dexamethasone, neither of which sound very appealing, although the latter, seems the least offensive (for lack of a better word).

Adriamycin is very hard on the heart, and for that reason is lifetime dose limited, and Vincristin, I just discovered, can cause irreversible neuropathy, so it looks like we (at least me) are leaning to the Thalidomide + Dexamethasome protocol, not that it doesn't have it's problems, but.....

There just aren't any good options when it comes to deciding on a treatment plan for treating cancer. It's like trying to vote for our political leaders, that is, picking the lesser of two evils.

It wasn't supposed to work out this way. I was the one diagnosed with lymphoma, almost 5 years ago, and Edie was supposed to be the one taking care of me, when it was time for me to start treatment. I just don't understand how this can be? My psyche is not well equipped to handle this turn of events.

So now we're forced with making a decision, sooner than later. I think there is still some time, so we've decided it's best to obtain a second opinion from Dr. Brian Durie at Cedars Sinai hospital in LA, before making a final decision. We are also having cytogenetic testing performed to evaluate for some prognostic factors, which should help in deciding on a treatment decision.

Stay tuned!
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Comments

Becky said…
I am sorry for the sudden turn of events for Edie. You need to stay focused on remaining healthy so you can take care of her rather than the other way around. No pressure.

Think positive thoughts for Jim today as he's having surgery. His wife has had cancer for years, as you know, and I'm sure she's feeling the same way you are.

Tell Edie I have a picture above the mantle now, as she suggested some time ago. I posted it on my blog. You can show her if you like.
2:19 AM
Anita said…
My father who was 67 at the time took Thalimide and Dex combo and he stayed in remission for approx. 13 months. He did pretty well on the drugs except for the dex. It made his legs swell up. He is going to start Revelmid now. He hasn't had a stem cell transplant yet. His brother is going to have to donate. Take care and I wish you well.

Concernd
7:00 AM
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