On Friday, November 30, I started a 21-day cycle for Velcade: an injection in the arm on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, and then a week off. That same Friday I started taking dexamethasone orally once a week, without a break. That's my therapy regimen; pretty simple.
We went to see Dr. Nielsen to review the results of the colonoscopy and the EGD. He showed us all the pictures and went over them in detail. He said there was nothing abnormal except a little inflammation in the stomach and duodenum, but since they do not cause any pain, we don't need to do anything about them for now. He showed where he had dilated my esophagus by a millimeter or two, using a little balloon that is built into the scope. I believe my swallowing has been a little easier since the procedure was done.
On Wednesday, December 5th, we had a big surprise and a little scare. Laraine had a small episode of incoherence and difficulty walking. It only lasted a few moments, but was worrisome enough that daughter Alyson and I took her to the Alta View Hospital emergency room. They ran all kinds of tests on her--the usual blood work, CT scan, MRI, and ultrasound of the heart. The tests results were mostly normal, but based on the episode Laraine experienced, the ER doc concluded she had had a small stroke. The tests did show that she may have had one or more mini/micro strokes at some time in the past. It was a long day at the ER, eight hours all together. At discharge, the recommendation was to follow up immediately with a neurologist.
On Thursday, Laraine contacted my mother's neurologist, or her stroke doctor, as she calls her, and arranged an appointment for the next day.The doctor was able to work Laraine in on short notice because it was considered an urgent situation.
On Friday we kept our 9:45 appointment with the neurologist, thinking it wouldn't last more than an hour. Well, we finally left at 5:00 pm! At 1:00 pm I took a break to go to Utah Cancer Specialists, less than a mile away, to get my Velcade shot and to pick up some lunch from Subway for both of us. Meanwhile, Dr. Futrell, who turned out to be fabulous, took a lot of time with us to explain all the tests and results from the ER at Alta View. She took more time to explain all about strokes and why she was proposing the approach she had in mind. Then she put Laraine through several tests: a physical exam, ultrasounds of her carotid arteries and both legs, another bubble test, and finally a holter monitor, which she has to wear for three weeks. It measures heart activity 24/7. The doctor said that Laraine had definitely had a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack) or mini stroke.
Last Tuesday I received my final Velcade shot of this 21-day cycle. Friday I went in for a follow-up lab test to check my blood levels as usual and also my cancer markers. My platelets came back dangerously low, so I was signed up for two units of just platelets, which I received yesterday. My white blood cells and red blood cells, although still very low, were up slightly--a good sign. We have to wait for next week to get back the cancer markers.
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