Waiting

Clancy's dad used to say you need to have the patience of an owl.  That's what's required now as the whirlwind of the past four months of treatment has slowed to a stop.  A CT scan is scheduled later this month.  Hopefully it will be clear and chemo can be resumed.  The good news is the lab tests continue to come back showing the bad proteins and free kappa light chains are nonexistent.  Clancy says it's been over a year since he's felt this good.  Here's hoping you are feeling great too!

Heading Home Soon

Clancy had a consultation with the doctor today and will return home next week.  As mentioned before, he can have CT scans completed at home and will return to Salt Lake when he has a clear scan of his lungs.  Yesterday, they performed a bronchoscopy.  This is a procedure where a tube is inserted in the patient's nose and run down into the lungs (he enjoyed it so much he bought the do-it-yourself home kit).  The tubing has a camera and the ability to collect samples.  The doctor performing the procedure saw nothing of concern in his lungs.  They are waiting for results from the samples which should be available next week.  They are trying to identify the source, then treat it.  Clancy feels great and exhibits no symptoms from whatever showed up on the scan.

We're all hoping this will pass and he can return in early February for chemo and the second stem cell transplant.  His friend, Kip, had his transplant today.  The preservative in the stem cells makes the patient emit a strong creamed corn smell.  This is something you can't smell if you are on chemo, so this was Clancy's first experience with it.  He was Kip's chauffeur and had the windows down on the drive back to their apartment building.  Luckily, the task was accomplished without high volume gagging by the driver.

Still Waiting

Clancy has developed some chest and nasal congestion but it's pretty minor.  Yesterday, a MRI was done of the sinuses and other parts of his head.  The results should be available Wednesday. The PET scan from last week indicated a possible infection in his lungs and the medical staff wants to know what they are dealing with before starting chemo treatment.  Also yesterday, he met with a thoracic surgeon for consideration of a lung biopsy.  This was determined to be unnecessary at this time. 

Today, he had more blood tests and a deep nasal swab (fun).  If those tests aren't indicative of the source of the congestion he will have a "lung wash" tomorrow or Thursday.  He feels like he's progressing through a minor cold and will probably head home in a few days.  A PET scan will be completed in about 3 weeks at home and sent to Salt Lake for evaluation.  If it appears clear he can return to Salt Lake and begin chemo in February. 

This has been a little frustrating, but is a minor setback along the path of getting the cancer in remission.  At this point, it looks like everything will just be moved back a month from the original plan.

Chemo's on Hold

This week's PET scan indicated a possible lung infection.  Chemo takes the immune system down to zero, so it cannot be started until the possible infection is identified and treated.  Clancy doesn't have any of the common symptoms of pneumonia, etc., but feels like something isn't quite right.  Blood and urine samples were taken today to help identify the source.

On Monday, the 10th, he will meet with a thoracic surgeon for consideration of a lung tissue biopsy.  A MRI is scheduled that day also to inspect his sinus area.  The MRI that was done this week only went up to his chin.

There are many possibilities from these tests.  It could be nothing and chemo could start next week.  It could be something that needs to be treated for a week or two and chemo would start after that.  Finally, it could be something that needs extended treatment.  In that case, he would return home to complete the treatment.   Chemo and the second stem cell transplant would be rescheduled for February or March.  We'll know more next week.

Back At It

Happy 2011 to everyone!

It's time for another round of chemo and the second stem cell transplant.  The first transplant was completed November 2, 2010 and the subsequent lab work looked very good.  The Huntsman Center protocol is to complete two transplants early in the treatment of myeloma.  They believe they achieve longer terms of remission with the tandem transplants.

Clancy had a full day of procedures on Tuesday, the 4th.  He started with a MUGA scan.  The is done by drawing a vial of blood and mixing a radioactive material into it.  The mixture is injected back into the patient and a scan is done to measure the heart's ability to pump blood out into the bloodstream.  Next was a bone marrow biopsy in his hip.  The samples were drawn from an area left of his tailbone.  The physician's assistant, Andrea, who conducted the biopsy did an excellent job and he only a small amount of discomfort.  However, today the area is quite sore and will be for a few days.  His morning wrapped up with a PET scan.  The PET measures the presence of cancerous lesions in the body.  A sugar solution is injected into the patient and the sugar adheres to areas with cancer activity.  A CT scan is then conducted to identify the affected areas.  Clancy had a PET in late October.  It will be interesting to see the results and compare the two scans.

His afternoon consisted of an MRI.   This is not for anyone who is claustrophobic.  The scans above required his arms and legs to be securely strapped down which made him want to squirm like a cat in a boot.  The MRI also requires the head to be strapped down.  Clancy focused on the fact that he made it through a MRI in September without total panic and should be able to do it again.  Determination and half of a little pink pill can do wonders!

Today, he had a pulmonary function test.  It also went well. Even the arterial blood draw from the wrist was much better than when it was done in September.  On the pain scale, it rates just below sticking a fork in your eye but only hurts for a few seconds.  He learned his body's ability to oxygenate the blood has dropped 20% from when this test was conducted in September.  This can be directly attributed to the chemotherapy and other medical procedures conducted over the past several months. The technician said the best news is "you'll get it back."  Clancy sure hopes so.  The lack of energy and stamina have been extremely frustrating.  However, it's only temporary and we know the cause.

On Thursday, the 5th, there's a meeting scheduled with a dietitian at noon.  I wonder if she'll bring lunch?  At four there's a meeting with the doctor to review the tests and go over the upcoming treatment.  High dose chemo starts on Friday, the 7th, and the second stem cell transplant will likely be on Tuesday, the 11th. 

I hope you have been able to stick to your resolutions.  If not, go have a DQ Blizzard and celebrate!