2nd ASCT - Day 116 - September 12 2012

My Zolinza (vorinostat) for Cycle 2 was delivered FedEx today. I don't start that Cycle until 2 Oct 2012.

And a visual guide to my daily medications. 

2nd ASCT - Day 112 - Daily Medications - September 8 2012

I take a lot of pills EVERY day. Way more than my preference. When I was first diagnosed, I cold barely swallow my thyroid and cholesterol pills daily...and remember telling my fellow multiple myeloma-er, Danny Parker that I just couldn't do it...now I can take a whole handful of pills - not a skill anyone would want to have!~

4 AM
Levothyroxin
Tylenol 500 mg

7AM
Famcicloir 500 mg

Breakfast
Dexamethasone 10 mg (Days 1,2; 4,5; 8,9;11,12)
Curcumin 1000mg
ASA 81 mg
Bactrim (M/Th only)
Zantac
Prilosec
Augmentin (root canal before and after)

Lunch
Zolinza (vorinostat) 14 days on 14 days off
Calcium 600 mg/D3 200 IU
B Complex Vit
Pterostilbene

3 PM
Famciclovir 500 gm

Bedtime
Zantac
Prilosec
Bacolfen
Stool Softener
Percocet  325 - 1/2 tab sometimes

11 PM
Famciclovir 500 mg

*And subcutanous Velcade Days 1,4; 8,11 each month

Another Day At Black Rock and Discharge From Inpatient UCH - March 20 2012 at 11:50 PM

My mind is totally clouded from Thalidomide. I can't think at all and I am miserable. I took 200  mg of Thalidomide again today - but, if I feel like this tomorrow, I'm not going to take it. I cannot live like this.

I ate an apple to counter the effects of the chemo - even though I cannot taste anything.

We had to get PICC Line home care teaching. Because of the placement in my left upper arm, I only have one hand to work with - so, Jani is going to go my heparin 10 USP flushes daily at home.

These are Jani's hands doing the flush for the first time - she was an awesome learner and did really well with RN Angela's assistance.

I have to take a lot of medications many times a day - I can actually get this whole cup of meds down all at once...at diagnosis, I was often unable to even swallow my daily calcium pill...

Jani packed up my things and took them out to Bart (2006 Honda Pilot) for our trip home once I'm discharged tonight. All that chemo on the IV poles has to run in before we can leave. That will be 96 hours of continuous VDT-PACE chemotherapy.

Finally, all the chemo ran in and RN Angela came to detach me from the IV pumps and pole. Hurrah.

We were discharged at 11:50 PM on March 20 2012. Drove home to Greeley, Colorado arriving home after 1 AM March 21 2012. My mind is mush and my guts raw, but at least, I'm going home. I've gained 11 (eleven) pounds since admission despite 2 days of Lasix, but they assure me that I will eliminate the extra volume.

We have to return to UCH on March 22 2012 for labs.

Day 57 - Medications - November 9 2011

The number of medications that I take on a daily basis as of Day 57.  You might remember that on diagnosis back on 24 May 2011 that I was worried about taking ANY pills and now I can take a whole handful at a time~

Plus 12,500 IU injection of Fragmin daily.



New Calendar leading to 3rd Bone Marrow Biopsy and 2nd Stem Cell Collecion

I will have a my 3rd bone marrow biopsy on September 1 2011, followed by my second stem cell harvest beginning September 6 2011 for potential stem cell transplant on September 12 2011. As you can see from the calendar, I'll have to take a number of medications throughout these pre-procedures including antibiotics, antivirals, antifungal, anticlotting, anti-GI issues, and bone marrow stimulating medication.

Prescriptions to Pick Up Now June 8 2011

• Diflucan 100 mg daily (to treat oral yeast) - just need 2 more days to complete 5 day treatment form June 6 to June10, 2011
• Emla Cream (Lidocaine 2.5%, Prilociane 2.5 %) to numb intravenous access port site prior to IV chemotherapy days - Sandy Baird told me to use this liberally!)
• Compazine Tablets 10 mg (as needed for nausea and vomiting at home)
• Acyclovir 400 mg daily (anti-viral to help ward off shingles)