Cycle 1 Week 3 Day 1 Carfilzomib and Dex - November 13 2012

Arrived safely for my 1 PM St. Luke's Hospital MSTI, Twin Fall, Idaho appointment. Light snow was falling across the Craters of the Moon National Park, but the roads were only slightly damp and not slick. I left 45 minutes early just in case I encountered bad roads. Kemmer is staying with Ron and his dog, Iris. Arrived early enough to get a chicken burrito supreme at my favorite place, TACO BELL!

My white blood cell count is low, but good at 3.3 (norms 4.5-11); my hemoglobin is a tad low at 11.1 ( norms 12-15); and my platelets have recovered a bit to 77 (norms 140-440) - they were only 40 last Friday, 9 Nov 2012. 

My creatinine was still high at 1.16 (norms 0.52-1.04), but I read that carfilzomib can also increase the creatinine level. My BUN is normal at 13 (norms 7-17) and my GFR (kidney clearance test) is 50 (norms: less than 60 for more than 3 months equals Chronic Kidney Disease). I haven't really been following the GFR results, so when I look back, the GFR has been abnormal for greater than 3 months indicating I have some type of kidney failure going on - UGH.

RN Vickie expertly inserted my IV in my left arm and I'm pretty sure it will work again tomorrow too after she heparin locks it at the end of today.

After RN Vicki heparin locked my IV, she wrapped it up for the night, so we could use it again tomorrow morning.

I'm careful to wear a mask when I depart in to public places. I went to Walmart before the appointment and wore a mask the whole time - a little boy there stared at me and I was thinking he was thinking that Halloween was over and what the deal? My ANC (absolute neutrophil count is good at 2.50 (norms 1.9-8.8), however, I still do not have any immunoglobulins due to my 2 autologous stem cell transplants resulting in no immunity against most anything that might come my way - BETTER to wear the mask!

Arrived at the Quality Inn in Twin Falls near 5 PM and rested before I went out to get something to eat. My appointment at St. Luke's Hospital MSTI is tomorrow morning at 9 AM, so I won't have to drive home in the dark tomorrow afternoon.

Day 3 - Stem Cell Transplant PM Update September 16 2011

Much better control of my nausea with Ativan 1/2 dose and scheduled Zofran. Plus, I have maintenance fluids running intravenously at 125 cc hour which I think really helps me.

Jani came and stayed all afternoon in to the evening with me. She put her organizational gene to good use and rearranged my entire room. I don't know what they were thinking when they built this hospital for patients who would have LONG stays - because there aren't any good places to store anything. Jani brought all of my stuff in big see through plastic bins that she stacks. Jani brought me cold cereal and Silk Milk (I have a lactose intolerance) and that seems to work in my not-so-right stomach for now.  I love my sister~

I walked with Jani in the hallway before she left. We are missing my Transplant Coordinator, Dana Godec, RN who has been out sick since the 9th of September. Wishing her the best.

Day 3 - Friday September 16 2011 Update

Well, I didn't have a heart attack! Yippee!  My Troponin I blood level came back normal again after 6 hours and they discontinued the portable cardiac monitor that I have been wearing since 4 AM. However, I can guarantee that "something" happened to me at 4 AM and it was PAINFUL and SCARY.
This afternoon, I just continue really nauseated and don't want to eat or drink anything. Have been sipping on water, but they decided at 1 PM to hook me back up to the IV to hydrate me - I think that will make me feel better.
The Occupational Therapist came to see how I was doing on my exercises - I was NOT - so, she left.
I've also had visits from Dr. Pollyea, Nurse Practitioner Trish, and Social Worker, Michelle (who is already lining up discharge options).