BTW, so pleased to see those blue WBC dots climb up the graph chart. Take care, Joe.
Forums
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Thanks again for sharing your journey, Joe. I have been very impressed with your stamina and mental outlook throughout this process. Also, since I will likely be going through the stem cell transplant at the same hospital, I especially appreciate all the details you have provided. I wish you well in the days ahead and hope you find a way to keep the DVT at bay and of course enjoy a long remission.
BTW, so pleased to see those blue WBC dots climb up the graph chart. Take care, Joe.
BTW, so pleased to see those blue WBC dots climb up the graph chart. Take care, Joe.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Joe,
Hope you are OK. We have loved your reporting on the stem cell transplant process and are looking forward to hearing a report that your WBC are recovering and the DVT is resolved.
With you in spirit.
Hope you are OK. We have loved your reporting on the stem cell transplant process and are looking forward to hearing a report that your WBC are recovering and the DVT is resolved.
With you in spirit.
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WholeNotherWorld - Who do you know with myeloma?: my husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec. 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Hi Everybody,
Things went downhill for me on April 13 when I was tested positive for Clostridium difficile, a nasty intestinal bug. I started a 14-day course of the antibiotic Flagyl (metronidazole) on April 17. The prescription ran out on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, my C. diff. symptoms have reappeared and I now find myself scrambling to get this addressed.
Also, I ran into problems with the injectable anticoagulant (dalteparin) that I was using. I was getting extreme pain in the leg where my blot clot resides. The hematologist thought it to be very strange; nevertheless I was switched off to a new anticoagulant called apixiban (Eliquis). This latter drug is only half as effective as the dalteparin for my condition and is not tested for cancer patients. In short, I am gambling that I can get away with this switch. At least my leg is pain free except for peripheral neuropathy, which seems to be slowly getting worse.
My recent blood tests are rather good. My white blood cell counts continue to get better, and I am not as anemic as I have been in the past. My platelet concentration has improved as well. The only real negative was that my immunoglobulins IgG and IgM are low. I expect them to improve in a slow fashion.
Also, we are finally getting enough sunny days here in the lower mainland of British Columbia that it feels like spring has finally arrived. We’ve had an extraordinarily cold and wet winter. Everybody is happy now that we can bask in the sun. Our just desserts!
We all have our battles and I wish each and everyone of you good luck with yours,
Joe
Things went downhill for me on April 13 when I was tested positive for Clostridium difficile, a nasty intestinal bug. I started a 14-day course of the antibiotic Flagyl (metronidazole) on April 17. The prescription ran out on Monday of this week. Unfortunately, my C. diff. symptoms have reappeared and I now find myself scrambling to get this addressed.
Also, I ran into problems with the injectable anticoagulant (dalteparin) that I was using. I was getting extreme pain in the leg where my blot clot resides. The hematologist thought it to be very strange; nevertheless I was switched off to a new anticoagulant called apixiban (Eliquis). This latter drug is only half as effective as the dalteparin for my condition and is not tested for cancer patients. In short, I am gambling that I can get away with this switch. At least my leg is pain free except for peripheral neuropathy, which seems to be slowly getting worse.
My recent blood tests are rather good. My white blood cell counts continue to get better, and I am not as anemic as I have been in the past. My platelet concentration has improved as well. The only real negative was that my immunoglobulins IgG and IgM are low. I expect them to improve in a slow fashion.
Also, we are finally getting enough sunny days here in the lower mainland of British Columbia that it feels like spring has finally arrived. We’ve had an extraordinarily cold and wet winter. Everybody is happy now that we can bask in the sun. Our just desserts!
We all have our battles and I wish each and everyone of you good luck with yours,
Joe
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Joe -
We are very happy to hear from you. C. diff is no fun. What a complex balancing act with the multiple challenges. You ARE a warrior and an inspiration. Thank you for keeping us up to date. Very glad you are now feeling well enough to post your progress. Our thoughts are with you for continued improvement.
We are very happy to hear from you. C. diff is no fun. What a complex balancing act with the multiple challenges. You ARE a warrior and an inspiration. Thank you for keeping us up to date. Very glad you are now feeling well enough to post your progress. Our thoughts are with you for continued improvement.
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WholeNotherWorld - Who do you know with myeloma?: my husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Dec. 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Good to hear from you Joe. Sorry to hear about the C. diff. Nasty stuff. I hope you can shake it quickly and start to feel like you are back on the recovery path. You have certainly earned that right.
I am getting my tour of the VGH Apheresis Unit on May 24, My harvest date has been set on June 6 and 7 and the transplant on June 16. Getting pretty anxious about it. I certainly do appreciate your detailed account and have read it over many times (and several other's accounts on the Beacon) to prepare myself.
Good luck to you Joe.
I am getting my tour of the VGH Apheresis Unit on May 24, My harvest date has been set on June 6 and 7 and the transplant on June 16. Getting pretty anxious about it. I certainly do appreciate your detailed account and have read it over many times (and several other's accounts on the Beacon) to prepare myself.
Good luck to you Joe.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
WholeNotherWorld, thanks for your positive thoughts.
As my C. difficile symptoms had gotten worse and my temperature had gone over 38 C (100.4 F), I decided to go to the emergency department at my local hospital late Thursday evening. The staff at the hospital were quite good to me. I was put into an isolation room within ten minutes of my arrival at the hospital. That’s a good response time!
I explained my situation to the nurse and attending physician, both of whom were sympathetic to my situation. After getting an abdominal x-ray to make sure no damage had been done to my intestines, I was sent home with a prescription of vancomycin (Vancocin). I even found a pharmacy still open at midnight.
Although I’ve only taken the medicine for 36 hours, I think my symptoms are already improving.
In hindsight I should have gone to hospital earlier. I had been thinking that my symptoms might lessen on their own. Too hopeful?
Joe
As my C. difficile symptoms had gotten worse and my temperature had gone over 38 C (100.4 F), I decided to go to the emergency department at my local hospital late Thursday evening. The staff at the hospital were quite good to me. I was put into an isolation room within ten minutes of my arrival at the hospital. That’s a good response time!
I explained my situation to the nurse and attending physician, both of whom were sympathetic to my situation. After getting an abdominal x-ray to make sure no damage had been done to my intestines, I was sent home with a prescription of vancomycin (Vancocin). I even found a pharmacy still open at midnight.
Although I’ve only taken the medicine for 36 hours, I think my symptoms are already improving.
In hindsight I should have gone to hospital earlier. I had been thinking that my symptoms might lessen on their own. Too hopeful?
Joe
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Hi Colin,
And it is good to hear from you!
I know you’ve been a regular reader of my posts. I often think of you when I write them, and I am so glad that they’ve been of some help to you. I wish there was more I could do for you. Let me know if there is anything you would like me to write about.
The staff is excellent at the VGH daycare bone marrow transplant centre. They will put you at ease. They definitely helped me when I stumbled along the way. You'll be in good hands.
Take care,
Joe
And it is good to hear from you!
I know you’ve been a regular reader of my posts. I often think of you when I write them, and I am so glad that they’ve been of some help to you. I wish there was more I could do for you. Let me know if there is anything you would like me to write about.
The staff is excellent at the VGH daycare bone marrow transplant centre. They will put you at ease. They definitely helped me when I stumbled along the way. You'll be in good hands.
Take care,
Joe
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Good luck Joe, on your ongoing recovery from the stem cell transplant! Sounds like the Vancocin is working well...that is good to know. I had a similar situation when I spiked a fever during my transplant time and had to be readmitted to an isolation unit. I was also being tested for C. Diff. but the cultures came back negative...doesn't mean it wasn't a miserable experience tho!
Hope you are out and about again soon.
Hope you are out and about again soon.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Hey Joe, thanks again. I add to Nancy's wishes for you to have a great recovery.
Well, I had my last induction treatment today, and I am up working on some projects that are due tomorrow morning, and for once, the fact that I can't sleep is a bonus (thanks dex).
As of April 29, my M-Protein is at 6.3 g/L (0.63 g/dL) and my free light chain (FLC) info is as follows:
Kappa FLC = 6.9 mg/L [Ref. Range = 3.3 - 19.4];
Lambda FLC = 6.3 mg/L [Ref. Range= 5.7 - 26.3];
Kappa-lambda FLC Ratio = 1.1 [Ref. Range = 0.26 - 1.65].
I think I am in fairly good stead for the stem cell transplant. I received a battery of appointments starting in late May and carrying on through June. The transplant case coordinators have been super and presented me with a detailed schedule. They even managed to set the tests up in Nanaimo to save me having to stay an extra week in Vancouver.
Anyway, I am sure I'll have more questions for you, but for now I am going to give you time off from me. You have earned a rest. Cheers Joe.
Well, I had my last induction treatment today, and I am up working on some projects that are due tomorrow morning, and for once, the fact that I can't sleep is a bonus (thanks dex).
As of April 29, my M-Protein is at 6.3 g/L (0.63 g/dL) and my free light chain (FLC) info is as follows:
Kappa FLC = 6.9 mg/L [Ref. Range = 3.3 - 19.4];
Lambda FLC = 6.3 mg/L [Ref. Range= 5.7 - 26.3];
Kappa-lambda FLC Ratio = 1.1 [Ref. Range = 0.26 - 1.65].
I think I am in fairly good stead for the stem cell transplant. I received a battery of appointments starting in late May and carrying on through June. The transplant case coordinators have been super and presented me with a detailed schedule. They even managed to set the tests up in Nanaimo to save me having to stay an extra week in Vancouver.
Anyway, I am sure I'll have more questions for you, but for now I am going to give you time off from me. You have earned a rest. Cheers Joe.
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Colin - Name: Colin Rice
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Stemming the tide: Wobbles & his transplant
Much appreciation for sharing this journey. You have been strong, positive and very informative of the daily struggles. Thank you. Know (and feel good) about helping "us" who benefit from your kindness in sharing these details. I will complete the tests in June to be cleared for a transplant. Bless you. Arms around you as you continue to mend.
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Hopeful1 - Name: Hopeful1
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 56
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