Better Energy Today - December 9 2012

I had better energy today and was able to do the laundry. Day 13/21 of Revlimid 10 mg. I've been taking my Revlimid at bedtime and that is working out a lot better for me since it make me very sleepy. I'm still taking Augmentin for my sinuses, Day 7/10. The antibiotic is probably contributing to my fatigue too. AND...I continue with my daily Fragmin 15,000 units injections to prevent blood clots.

I took a drive to the Chilly Cemetery some 20 miles north of Mackay, Idaho and it was chilly there.

Our reservoir, the Mackay Dam, is at 55 percent of capacity and hasn't iced over yet for ice fishing.

Cycle 2 Week 2 Day 1 Carfilzomib and Dex - December 3 2012

I woke with sinus infection on the left side of my head and cold symptoms (runny nose, sore throat, but no fever). I took Augmentin last night and will continue today. I took 1/2 Imodium because Augmentin always gets my guts going south fast.

Bart skated across the Craters of the Moon this morning (icy roads for 45 miles or so) to St. Luke's Hospital MSTI in Twin Falls.

The Augmentin - Revlimid combination really got things moving south QUICKLY and I barely made it to a gas station bathroom. Then, I took another 1/2 Imodium. Imodium really DRIES my mouth out.

Had my blood drawn, but there was mix-up on what tests were ordered, so I had to WAIT for the Comprehensive Chem Panel. I was there 2 1/2 hours before the labs were back and RN Letia started my IV. 

My cbc (complete blood count) was better than I thought it would be. White blood cell count was up to 3.5 (norms 4.5-11) from 1.9 on 30 Nov 2012. Hemoglobin was low, but good for me at 11 (norms 12-15); and my platelets were down to 87 (norms 140-440) from 108 on 30 Nov 2012.

My kidney function tests were NOT ALL normal this week, but close. Creatinine was 1.09 (norms 0.52-1.04); BUN normal at 14 (norms 7-17); BUN/Creatinine Ratio normal at 13 (norms 10-20); and GFR abnormal at 54 (norm is greater than 60).

I received my Cycle 2, Week 2, Day 1 Carfilzomib (27 metered square dosage); and 20 mg of intravenous dex. I think the dex helped my sore throat...I was at the Infusion Center for 4 hours...needed to take a chill pill....

2nd ASCT - Day 103 - August 29 2012

Paco seems fine this morning and I took him home at o'dark thirty (his choice).

I drove 100 miles to Endodontics office in Idaho Falls for my root canal on tooth #18. The novocaine worked well and the procedure took less than 40 minutes. The novacaine made me shaky and I could feel my heart in my chest.

Douglas Sutton DDS, Endodonist who grew up on a dairy farm...he likes teeth more than cows!

Bart noted there was active infection in the root canals of my tooth #18 - he even cleaned it out with clorox at one point.

I'll need to go back to Dr. Tom McGowan within 1 month to have a permanent filling put in the top of the crown that Bart Morrison had to drill through today...and yes, that's a root canal on the the tooth on the left too - today's root canal is the tooth on the right!

Drove home and my mouth was still very numb. HOWEVER, IT WOKE UP and I have so much PAIN - thankfully, I have both Advil and Percocet...putting ice on my jaw tonight. Hopefully, the pain will abate by morning. I talked to my transplant coordinator at the University of Colorado Hospital and Lindsey McMenimen asked the pharmacist there about my antibiotic coverage for this root canal - Augumentin 875/125 is adequate and I continue to take it twice a day.

2nd ASCT - Day 30 - June 17 2012

Father's Day June 17 2012 in Mackay, Idaho.

 Judy, Jani, Frank and Jeff Malkiewicz on Father's Day June 17 2012.

Unable to walk today because it was too windy outside. My sinuses are really bothering me again and I'm pretty sure I have another sinus infection, so I rinsed my sinuses with salt water and started Augmentin again tonight. Hopefully, the headache behind my eyes, especially on the left side, will be relieved. I've always had rotten sinuses and have had at least 3 sinus surgeries in the past.

So, How Do I Feel - January 27 2012

My cold seems to be over and I took my last dose of the 10-day course of Augmentin this morning. Mornings are best for me. I have pretty good energy and manage to get all of my household chores completed and a walk with Kemmer in each morning. I am still bothered by an aching left leg which I'm more aware of each evening and night. I'm taking Tylenol 500 mg for that twice during the night. My acid stomach still bothers me, but a daily dose of Prilosec 40 mg and 150 mg Zantac seems to keep that in check. My skin is extremely dry and living here in ultra-dry Idaho doesn't help - using lots of lotion, Aspercreme ointment, and sunscreen (I use Coppertone Water Babies for children because it does not sting my eyes and right now the only part of me exposed to the sun is my face, neck, and occasionally my hands. The neuropathy in my fingertips continues and is LOTS worse when my hands get cold. By 7 PM each evening my energy is toast and I often fall asleep on the sofa before I go to bed.


Today was another beautiful one in the Big Lost River Valley and I managed to extend my walk to 1.80 miles with a 100 foot gain in elevation (20 degrees with a nice icy wind, but I was dressed appropriately and stayed warm).

More Labs and Walked 1.40 Miles - January 26 2012

I received a couple more labs from January 16 2012 today via fax. My phosphorus, uric acid, and total protein are all normal.

Kemmer and I walked 1.40 miles this afternoon - more briskly than yesterday. Hard to tell who loves these walks more..... My sinus cold is pretty much history. I just have another day of Augmentin left - hoping one 10-day course is enough.

Somewhat Better Today - January 21 2012

My cold and dripping nose continues, but I feel somewhat better. I took only 1/2 Claritin today and continue with the Augmentin. Took 150 mg of Fluconazole. We had new snow overnight. My neighbor, Gale Lords, came over and plowed my driveway for me...so nice!

I love the new snow. I went over to my father's house and shoveled his walk for him. Here is a photo of Mackay Idaho Main Street at 11:15 AM this morning....hopping busy???

Now, I Have a Cold - January 20 2012

My sinus drainage has morphed in to a good old fashioned cold with a runny nose, some sneezing, swollen glands, and a sore throat. I continue to take Augmentin 875-125 mg twice daily (started on January 17 2012), so hopefully it won't progress to something else. Hoping my new immune system is up to this! Trying to keep hydrated with tons of water. I took a Claritin to help with my dripping nose and it worked.


I did manage to walk Kemmer just 0.44 miles on the Mine Hill. I forgot my Yaks (ice and snow grippers for my boots) and it was just too slick to walk safely even though we only had about 1 inch of snow...also forgot my camera! Shoveled my driveway, so I wasn't a slug ALL day.

Adventure in the Emergency Room - January 17 2012

Yesterday, I received intravenous Zometa 4 mg. I was gone from home 8 hours with the 200 mile round trip drive and a couple of shopping trips after my Zometa appointment. When I got home, I ate dinner and fell asleep on the sofa. I woke up at 8 PM with pain in my right chest that radiated through to my back and up the left side of neck and back of my head. The pain was alarming to me since I have not had anything like this EVER and I do have that mobile blood clot in the right atrium of my heart. I was not short of breath and I did not know what I should do. So, I took 1/2 Percocet and went to bed.

I didn't sleep well and the pain persisted. So, once daylight came, I drove over to Ron's place and asked him if he would drive me to the emergency room in Idaho Falls (100 miles). Fortuitously, Ron was just warming his truck up (minus 5 degrees) and was heading to Idaho Falls for some shopping. So, we went in Bart (2006 Honda Pilot) and headed across the desert arriving at the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center Emergency Room at 11 AM. 

They took me right in. I had a chest x-ray and an EKG right away. 

Started an IV after 2 pokes. 

They hooked me to a cardiac monitor and all of my vital signs were normal. 

I was seen by Dr. Rosenberg. I had to wait 2 hours for a CT with contrast of my lungs. This test is quick and the contrast really gives you a HOT FLUSHING SENSATION all over your body. Then, I had to wait for the results of the CT. I hadn't eaten all day and I asked for a snack. I thought they would bring me a couple of saltines, but was surprised when they brought a nice little lunch box with a turkey sandwich and fruit cup.

Finally, 4 3/4 hours after I arrived, Dr. Rosenberg came in and told me that they could not find any evidence of a blood clot in my lungs. He didn't know WHY my right chest and neck were hurting and suggested that maybe I had pain from scar tissue from my removed Bard Power Port. I tried to think about how I might have hurt myself yesterday and couldn't remember doing anything out of the ordinary. Now, I'm thinking it is some sort of WEIRD reaction to the Zometa - but, it seems strange that it would only hurt on one side. Dr. Rosenberg consulted my oncologist, Dr. Shull and they decided to send me home. 

I was relieved! But, I still have the pain in my right chest and neck! But, a lot less anxiety!

Started 10 days of Augmentin for a sore throat and sinus drainage.

Day 38 - Sinus Infection is Back - October 21 2011

I developed a sinus headache yesterday afternoon and it just won't let up. I contacted Kelly Pacic, RN at the University of Colorado Hospital and asked her if I could start Augmentin (antibiotic) again. She consulted the Nurse Practitioner and they thought it was best for me to start Augmentin again (I already have some on hand). So, hopefully this will clear my sinus headache up.

My stomach is much MUCH better and although I don't want to eat a variety of foods yet - I think I'm on the mend in that department.

I walked Kemmer and Zoe 1.23 miles this afternoon - I was careful to wear sunscreen and my cowboy hat since the sun is clear and bright here in Colorado ... a mile high.

Day 19 Update - October 2 2011

Woke with the continued sinus pressure and headache between my eyes. I took a Percocet and it helped a little, but did not relieve the headache. Just before noon, decided I better call the Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse Practitioner on call to see if this was significant. No fever, my termperature is 99.6.  I have a long history of sinus infections and have had several sinus operations, so I'm not new to this rodeo~

Nurse Practitioner Carlie called me back and instructed me to take Augmentin that I already have from the VDT-PACE hospital discharge. They will take a look at me tomorrow at my blood draw appointment.

Still Dizzy and a visit from Jeff August 31 2011

I felt so so in the dizziness department when I got up this morning. I walked twice as far outside as yesterday which still isn't very far. Came in and took my morning pills which includes Cipro (antibiotic) and was almost instantly down with dizziness AGAIN. I emailed Dana Godec, RN and she got my antibiotic changed to Augmentin - so, hopefully, the dizziness will be OVER.

My brother, Jeff, is here tonight. He is leaving in the morning to go see Dad in Mackay, Idaho.