I'm hoping you get great results Tracy.
Ted
Forums
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Ted Kan - Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 75
Re: It's time for re-staging
Hi Tracy,
Sorry I'm late to the party, but I want to add my wishes for good news to those you've already gotten. I'm rooting hard for you!
(I'm a few days behind in reading the Forum.)
Mike
Sorry I'm late to the party, but I want to add my wishes for good news to those you've already gotten. I'm rooting hard for you!
(I'm a few days behind in reading the Forum.)
Mike
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mikeb - Name: mikeb
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009 (MGUS at that time)
- Age at diagnosis: 55
Re: It's time for re-staging
Thanks for all your support, everyone!
Does anyone else hate doing a 24-hour urine? I hate it. I hate having to carry my pee around with me if I have to go out of the house. What a hassle.
Anyway, the bone marrow biopsy was not so bad this time. They are progressively getting better. [Dark humor: the chemotherapy must be killing off my nerves!] The oncologist remarked that it was easy to see where to go because of all the scars from previous biopsies. I pre-medicated, and knew exactly what to expect of course. I think this was bone marrow biopsy #8, as best as I can count. What a sh*t situation to be in: bone marrow biopsies are routine for me.
Tuesday is the PET CT.
Does anyone else hate doing a 24-hour urine? I hate it. I hate having to carry my pee around with me if I have to go out of the house. What a hassle.
Anyway, the bone marrow biopsy was not so bad this time. They are progressively getting better. [Dark humor: the chemotherapy must be killing off my nerves!] The oncologist remarked that it was easy to see where to go because of all the scars from previous biopsies. I pre-medicated, and knew exactly what to expect of course. I think this was bone marrow biopsy #8, as best as I can count. What a sh*t situation to be in: bone marrow biopsies are routine for me.
Tuesday is the PET CT.
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: It's time for re-staging
We are pulling for you, Tracy.
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philatour - Who do you know with myeloma?: spouse
Re: It's time for re-staging
Hi Tracy,
My hopes and prayers are that, when the results of all these tests start coming in, they will be everything that you are hoping for. You have certainly drawn the short straw, having 8 biopsies in less than 2 years. I've had 3 in 4 years, and they have all been pretty good.
I hate 24-hour urines as well. I try to have a day mainly at home when I do it, and that is usually easy as I am retired, but my hassle is in carting it to my treatment centre 350 km away. I have even had to take it on the train a couple of times. My doc seems to think that it is hilarious that some poor lady who goes to Peter Mac forgot and left it on the train. Not me, thankfully!
I love reading your posts. You are so "real" about it all.
Ronda
My hopes and prayers are that, when the results of all these tests start coming in, they will be everything that you are hoping for. You have certainly drawn the short straw, having 8 biopsies in less than 2 years. I've had 3 in 4 years, and they have all been pretty good.
I hate 24-hour urines as well. I try to have a day mainly at home when I do it, and that is usually easy as I am retired, but my hassle is in carting it to my treatment centre 350 km away. I have even had to take it on the train a couple of times. My doc seems to think that it is hilarious that some poor lady who goes to Peter Mac forgot and left it on the train. Not me, thankfully!
I love reading your posts. You are so "real" about it all.
Ronda
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RondaV - Name: RondaV
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Nov 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 70
Re: It's time for re-staging
I'm wondering if you pre-medicate for the bone marrow biopsy and if it really helps.
Also wanted to add best wishes for great results!
Also wanted to add best wishes for great results!
Re: It's time for re-staging
I fully agree with Tracy about the 24-hour urine test. My greatest hassle came from The Woman. I told her they wanted me to keep it cool, but she would not allow it in the refrigerator.
Wouldn't it be interesting if I could teach our dog to pee in that jug? Can you see the lab technician reporting his first confirmed case of lycanthropy? Or else, this guy must eat a lot of red meat!
Charlie (grouchy German)
Wouldn't it be interesting if I could teach our dog to pee in that jug? Can you see the lab technician reporting his first confirmed case of lycanthropy? Or else, this guy must eat a lot of red meat!
Charlie (grouchy German)
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Grizlump - Name: Charlie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: It's time for re-staging
It never hurts to ask the onc if he/she really thinks a 24 hr UPEP is required in one's particular situation, especially if one has already been diagnosed. For monitoring smoldering multiple myeloma, both of my docs don't see any value in doing them. I know that one can make a case for doing them if one is receiving treatment, but not every doc agrees that they are required even under those circumstances.
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Multibilly - Name: Multibilly
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Smoldering, Nov, 2012
Re: It's time for re-staging
I did pre-medicate with Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen / paracetamol) and Ativan (lorazepam). I learned my lesson after the first biopsy, when I ugly cried into the pillow from anxiety, pain, and fear and smeared snot and mascara all over the pillow case. Doctors are people, too 
I need 24 hour urine tests whenever I do complete testing because of my history of kidney problems and severe nephrotic syndrome when I had AL amyloidosis in 2012. At the worst point, I was losing 13 grams of protein a day and I was blown up like a shiny balloon. It was ridiculous.
Thanks so much for all your comments. It's so great to get support from people who understand exactly what you're going through.
I need 24 hour urine tests whenever I do complete testing because of my history of kidney problems and severe nephrotic syndrome when I had AL amyloidosis in 2012. At the worst point, I was losing 13 grams of protein a day and I was blown up like a shiny balloon. It was ridiculous.
Thanks so much for all your comments. It's so great to get support from people who understand exactly what you're going through.
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Tracy J - Name: Tracy Jalbuena
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: It's time for re-staging
Ah, yes, the 24-hour urine ordeal. On that subject, I'm surprised no one has mentioned the column April Nelson wrote about it. Very humorous.
April Nelson, "Letters From Cancerland: Potty Mouth," The Myeloma Beacon, Sep 15, 2015
I hope the rest of the re-staging goes well, Tracy, and that the results are extremely positive!
April Nelson, "Letters From Cancerland: Potty Mouth," The Myeloma Beacon, Sep 15, 2015
I hope the rest of the re-staging goes well, Tracy, and that the results are extremely positive!
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