Relapsed High Risk Multiple Myeloma - Updated August 16 2013

Dr. Padavanija stopped by early and  told me that I should come down to MSTI after Dr. Tom DiRocco discharged me this morning. I would be getting chemo (intravenous carfilzomizb) and then be on my way home to Mackay with Jani. She wants to lower my Dex dosage to 6.5 mg from 10 mg every other day. I told her about my TERRIBLE SORE TROAT and how RAW it was after it started to to downward by my esophagus.

Before I was discharged from St. Luke's Medical Unit, I had french toast for. Then Dietitian Elba cam by to do the Diabetes  Teaching - and a discussion about what to eat. They also gave me lot of paperwork discussions on carbohydrates, etc.  

 Jani "doggles" and N-95 Mask to protect her during mowing the lawn.

 Bart's windshield is covered with ash from the forest fires in Ketchum and Sun Valley.

Before we left for home in Bart, they gave me an appointment with a diabetes doctor in their St. Luke's Clinic - Dr. Martins at 4 PM for next Thursday afternoon. 

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update August 14 2013

Woke with TERRIBLE BACK AND RIB PAIN on 13 Aug 2013. Jani helped me decide which type of pain pills to use - Oxy 5 mg without any acetaminophen. Spent all day being one with the sofa, but my mind remained clear. I worked on ancestry files.

Jani made Chicken Stir Fry with Vegetables for dinner after her massage.

Robbyn and Kisha sent a painting yesterday entitled "The Girls" and Jani hung it in the living room.

Jeff left Mackay, Idaho for Colorado early this morning.  He has a dental appointment in Colorado Springs on 15 Aug 2023 at 1 PM.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update August 13 2013

Today, 13 Aug was the 9th anniversary of Lindsay's death (age 24) in the car wreck with her boyfriend and another boy - all 3 were killed - we cried alot today. Her best friend Laney Om posted a wonderful video on Facebook and it was delightful to hear Lindsay's voice.  Lindsay was my only niece and only daughter of my brother Jeff and his wife Carol. 

Below the Malkiewicz Family in Aurora, Colorado circa 1983. Left to Right Back: Judy, Jani, Jeff, Carol; Front Row: Lindsay, Frank, Chris holding Kahlua, Nick.

 Lindsay on JackRed, Mackay Idaho July 2004.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update August 5 2013

Worked on ancestry and genealogy again. Spent most of the day on the sofa with the MacBookPro. my Finder Files are a MESS.

Jani and Jeff went golfing at River Park Golf and RV.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 27 2013

Feeling better this morning. The carfilzomib really puts me down for a couple of days along with the kytril anti-nausea making me sleepy. Must remember these are NOXIOUS chemicals I'm getting.

Have decided I will continue with rescue transfusions (blood and platelets) until they don't work anymore - so that's the plan.

Jani is the "pack leader" for our dogs and they were delighted she was back home.

Jani went to town to check the mail. Mackay seemed busy for a Saturday.

Jani and her new iphone app - wish I could bet her to help me scan genealogy stuff with as much enthusiasm.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 22 2013

Woke this morning after a restless night and could not breathe out of my left nasal nare at all. I, VERY GENTLY BLEW my nose and a huge wet blood clot emerged. It was about 2 inches by 1 inch and 1/4 inch thick. WALLA, I could breathe instantly and no new bleeding!

Jani and Robbyn drove me to the Lab at Lost Rivers Medical Center in Arco, Idaho to get my CBC as scheduled. My platelets were MISERABLY LOW at 9 (as low as I have ever had). The report said "Critically Low" and they called the value in to St. Luke's MSTI. They reported the value to physician, Banu E Symington, MD that covers for my oncologist, Dr.Padavanija who does not work Monday's and they decided I could wait until Thursday to have my platelet count rechecked on Thursday in Twin Falls, Idaho. I need "rescue platelets" to stay alive and that is obvious, but will just rest quietly until then.

Robbyn's departure photo from Mackay to Colorado. She is driving a rental car to the Idaho Falls Airport and then on to DIA in Denver to pick up her car at the longterm parking there. We will miss her!

Jani and her iphone apps - CUTE!

Spent the rest of the day on the sofa and had no new bleeding from my nose or throat. Unfortunately, the Z-Pack antibiotic (which I started 18 July 2013 and completed 22 July 2013 didn't completely knock my sinus infection and I'm going to request a refill Z-Pack tomorrow. I still have brown-green sinus drainage, but not that much now. My left front sinus is completely encased and cannot drain without surgery and right now I am NOT a surgical candidate with a platelet count of just 7.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 21 2013

We decided to take Robbyn on a picnic to Park Creek at the summit of Trail Ceek. Jani packed up the lunches and off we went with the dogs around 10 AM. I was feeling well enough to do the driving in Jonah (1999 Honda Passport). Park Creek is located at about 7,700 feet in elevation.

Kemmer and Judy Malkiewicz at Park Creek Campground, just below the Trail Creek Road.

Even though our 3 dogs are crowded with a third person in the back - THEY LOVE TO GO! Here is me in the driver's seat, Kemmer, Kady, and Zoe.

Our other goal was to locate a picnic table that our family used back in 1965 (48 years ago) for a picnic.  Pictured below are Auntie Ann (Anna Wold Lundberg, wife of our M's youngest brother, yet older, Edward Auer Lundberg (best known as Auer); our M's, Marjorie Christine Lundberg Malkiewicz (10 years younger than Auer); Rex Henning Lundberg, oldest brother (12 years older than Marjorie and Marjorie was born on Rex's birthday in 1924). And finally, our Gram, Hazel Theora Jensen Anderson Lundberg (age 76 years in this photo). All the women had dresses on!

Jani and Robbyn walked around Park Creek and finally settled on this picnic table. I waited in Jonah while they searched out the tables - it was very pleasant, especially since I had several bug deterrent sprays for horse flies, biting flies and yellow jackets.

Here is our re-creation today...none of us had dresses on today !

Robbyn Wacker with Kemmer and Zoe at Park Creek, Trail Creek Summit, 21 July 2013

We stopped to let the dogs swim in the creek and THEY LOVED IT. Zoe loves the water a lot more than Kemmer - but, Kemmer will, at least, try now.

 Kady-from-Kansas (age 12 1/2) loved cooling off in the water.

 The water behind Kemmer and Zoe with the stick is deep and over their heads.

I drove us home via Bartlet Point Road and the Old Chilly Road and we saw this loose loaf hay - very pretty. Everyone is haying in the Big Lost River Valley now.

We arrived home just after 3 PM, hot and tired. I had slight nose bleed ... more serous (watery bloody liquid) than blood itself. I could not get it to stop and I probably did too much today, getting over heated!

Ron, the wood cutter came by, covered with wood chips from a day of wood cutting up the Mine Hill. We had a good visit.

We went to dinner next door at Gale and Pam Lord's house. They had Gale's brother, Gary and his wife Diane too - so, it was a good time...yet my left nare continued to ooze serous blood. Hope I can get it to stop. I go tomorrow for a CBC at Lost Rivers Medical Center in Arco.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 20 2013

Woke feeling much better, no more leg cramps, no gut acid, no headache and I did sleep some of the night.

Was able to shower, go get the mail and deliver it to my father. My hair is beginning to look more like it did when I was diagnosed May 2011.

Jani's partner, Robbyn Wacker, arrived in a rental car from the Idaho Falls Airport. She flew here from Colorado and is spending the weekend with us.

The forest fire smoke north of us cleared for the afternoon and we sat on the front porch and then returned THICK for the evening and night. We've ordered a replaced filter for my hepa filter and it should arrive Tuesday...non soon enough!

I spent the rest of the day one-with-my-sofa watching golf and finishing up Part 1 of my Gram's History (Hazel Theora Jensen Anderson Lundberg). She was born in Mt. Pleasant, Utah, married in 1911, and relocated to Idaho after that until her death in 1985. She was one of the finest people in the WORLD and well-loved by all.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 15 2013

Didn't sleep at all. Finally, got up at 2 AM and sat on the sofa until daylight. My guts are an ACID-MESS. I took Kytril with little help. My legs are creepy and both of my hips hurt. I took Zantac and Prilosec...nothing seemed to help.

Since I was up all night, I was tired all day and didn't do anything except go for the mail for my father. Worked on my geneology files some. I'm very careful not to bump myself in any way, so I won't bruise or start to bleed.

I continue to to have neuropathy in both feet - most of the neuropathy is on my left side from my foot to my groin, but I also have a good case in my right heel. Plain acetaminophen helps the most. My legs are quite weak and if I squat down, I need help getting up.

Jani, Robbyn, and Faye worked on putting the transfer drawings on seven (7) tea towels with a vintage 1950 pattern of ducks that the Mackay Women's Ladies Aid will stitch. It was quite the project and it took the 3 novice "tracers" most of the morning. I did a lot of watching since my hands are shaky from Dex and my fingertips numb from neuropathy - sewing is not in my future.

Here is a sample.

We took a drive to the Mt. McCaleb Cemetery and on our way home saw a blue heron right in the middle of town. We  drove by Ron's again, but he is still gone.

Faye and Robbyn packed up, so they could catch their flight back to Denver DIA from Idaho Falls at 4 PM. They left Mackay around 2 PM. L to R: Jani Malkiewicz, Faye Hummel, Judy Malkiewicz, and Robbyn Wacker with Kemmer. Even though they were here just under 24 hours, it was good visit!

 Judy Malkiewicz and Robbyn Wacker as Robbyn returns to Colorado.

After they left, I had an almost 1 hour long nadir. Jani made dinner and another day in paradise. My guts continue with BURNING FIRE ACID.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 9 2013

A rest day for me WITHOUT ANY PHOTOS if you can believe it!

Jani sat at the dining room table ALL DAY LONG and did her TA (teaching assistant) schedule for the Fall Semester 2013. This is a complicated schedule involving approximately 22 graduate students. Thank goodness for the internet and cell phones in getting this done (many consults with the School of Sport and Exercise Science administrative assistant ). Jani finished up the schedule and now has to email each graduate student to confirm that the schedule built for them to teach does not interfere with their actual "taking a class" schedule.

All of Jani's hard work happened while I was one-with-the-sofa catching my blogs up.

Relapsed High Risk Myeloma - Update July 7 2013

"My people" from Colorado packed up and departed Mackay, Idaho this morning for Greeley, Colorado. L to R: Jan Martin, Judy Richter, Judy Malkiewicz, Nancy White, and Walt Richter.

I spent the entire day one-with-the-sofa except for a quick run to Ivies for milk. Jani changed all the beds and did the laundry, mowed the lawn, did the weed eating and had a short nap.

I had really creepy legs today and took plain Tylenol (acetaminophen), which really helped a lot to calm them down. My GI tract is going QUICKLY south again with no reason why. I have not been on any chemo for a week (my off week). Developed a new spontaneous bruise on the inside of my left calf too.

The little filly behind my house was have a great time today --- running circles around her mama mare - just like puppies do sometimes - we call them "lune-spells".

Father's Day 2013 - Frank Malkiewicz Age 92 Years - June 16 2013

Jani (Jani cooked) and I had Dad over for breakfast this morning to celebrate Father's Day 2013. It is his 67th Father's Day Celebration!

Jeff and Carol sent him an electronic wine bottle opener which he loved (we think) - we haven't tried it yet.

Jeff, Dad, Judy on the Big Lost River Smelter Bridge, Mackay Idaho May 1954.

Judy and Dad in Mountain Home, Idaho 1955.

Jani, Dad, and Judy in Mountain Home, Idaho November 1957.

Jani and Judy Malkiewicz, Mountain Home, Idaho (our first television in the background) December 1957, but we preferred our new books at the time!

Judy and Jeff at PHA Housing, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho. Christmas 1955

Frank Malkiewicz on unaccompanied TDY (without family) in Guam 14 December 1957.

Jani barbecued the rainbow trout from Kase Hainline tonight - it was delicious, but gave me a pretty good case of gastritis afterwards. Jani is NOT FOND of fish.

I was able to walk Kemmer and Zoe around 2 blocks this afternoon - stopping for a brief rest on a log at the former Tipton Estate.