24 Hour Urine Results from November 16 2011 Are Back - Day 64

The Urine Protein Fractionation from my 24-hour urine collected November 16 2011 show no monoclonal gammopathy (cancer of the plasma cells). 

Day 70 - Trifusion Hickman Catheter Removal - November 22 2011

Jani and I went early to the University of Colorado Hospital Interventional Radiology this morning. We were delighted when Shawn Egle showed up to visit with us. Shawn was diagnosed with multiple myeloma the month before I was and had her stem cell transplant about 1 month after I did. She is doing great! It is so nice to have someone to go through all of this with.

We requested to talk to the doctor before the procedure - Janette Durham, MD. Dr. Durham told us that my blood clots in my heart were pretty unusual - that they only see this about twice a year. She was very frank with us and told us she didn't know if the blood clots in my heart would be released in to my lung when she removed the Trifusion Hickman Catheter or not. If that did happened, I could expect to wake up intubated with a machine breathing for me or I could die (but, she didn't think that would happen). Dr. Durham spent a lot of time with us and did not seem rushed even though we knew they were behind in the daily schedule as we had waited more than an hour past our appointment time. I liked the doctor and had a lot of trust in her.

Nurse Karlie accessed my Bard Power Port and hung a bag of normal saline after she drew some blood for bleeding and clotting times.

Waiting for the procedure and watching television November 22 2011. I walked back to the procedure room where I was put on a big moving table under a big x-ray machine with a bank of monitors. The nurse, Kristie, put EKG leads on my chest and Mel made sure the machines were lined up. I was given light intravenous conscious sedation and I don't remember anything after they got me set up. Dr. Durham pulled the catheter out - I DIDN'T DIE and so far, I don't have a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in my lung). The clot could still break away and go in to my lung. If that happens, I would know because I would be short of breath and have chest pain. We were instructed to call 911 if this happens. Dr. Durham thinks I should have my Bard Power Port removed too and will consult Dr. Myint regarding this.

I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich that Jani brought for me.

They monitored my vital signs for 1 hour, tested me walking for chest pain and/or shortness of breath (I did fine) and then Jani and I were on our way home to Greeley, Colorado. I slept all the way in the back.

I'm to start my Fragmin injections tonight and that's the whole "happily boring" story.

Day 69 - Eve of Trifusion Hickman Catheter Removal - November 21 2011

We are headed to the University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) Interventional Radiology tomorrow morning to have my Trifusion Hickman Catheter removed. So hoping the blood clots in my heart have resolved and the removal goes smoothly. As instructed, I have held my Fragmin blood thinner injection today. I'd be lying if I told you that I was not nervous. They are hoping they do not have to remove my Bard Power Port under the skin on my right chest wall because I will need it for my maintenance chemotherapy for the next 3 years.

Day 68 - jm's Top Ten List -- Why Being Bald is a Good Deal

#10: Never have to search for a comb or hair brush
#9: Less laundry...no second towel needed to dry your hair
#8: Mega $$$ Savings...no hair cuts required
#7: No blow dryer or curling iron necessary
#6: Decreased spending on hair products
#5: Almost any hat looks good
#4: Don't ever have hair on your clothes
#3: Getting ready is lots faster
#2: Never have to pick hair out of the shower drain AND
#1: Never a BAD HAIR DAY

Walked 1.10 miles today.

Day 67 - November 19 2011

My cousin, Laura Dynia, came to visit today. Really enjoyed her visit. Nothing new to report. Go Boise State~

Day 66 - Walked 1.10 Mile November 18 2011

65 degrees here in Colorado this afternoon - a perfect day for walking the dogs. Easily walked 1.10 miles without any chest pain and only mild upper left back pain.

My stomach is almost 100 percent these days. I'm down to just 40 mg of Prilosec twice a day and stopped taking the Zantac 150 mg. I'm desiring more foods than before and my taster seems to be working fine.

Faye Hummel stopped by with her new iPhone 4S, so we had to do a photo with it.Faye and I will be 61 years old the first week in December --- we cannot believe it~

Day 65 - Trifusion Hickman Catheter Update - November 17 2011

Interventional Radiology at UCH called today and instructed me to hold my Fragmin injection the day before my scheduled Trifusion Hickman Catheter removal scheduled for November 22 2011. They also want me to come NPO (nothing by mouth) in case the removal is "difficult" and they would need to sedate me. Sometimes it is hard for me to be brave - but, I will be!

Went to the movie, J. Edgar Hoover, this afternoon with Sandy Baird. An interesting movie, but it seemed to drag along.

Day 64 - 24-Hour Urine Results - November 16 2011

My 24-hour urine results remain unchanged at less than 6 mg/dL.

Day 64 - Halleluyah, I Think~ November 16 2011

UCH called with my appointment to have my Trifusion Hickman Catheter removed - Tuesday, November 22 2011 - Halleluyah~!  Now, I'll just think POSITIVE about the blood clots (I have 2, one larger and one smaller) in my heart not causing any problems during the catheter removal.

I drove myself to UCH to take my 24-hour urine in and to get my Trifusion Hickman Catheter dressing changed. Afterwards, I stopped to pick up some insurance forms from Amy, the Social Worker. Amy has really been helpful.

I was in and out of UCH in less than 40 minutes - a RECORD~

Day 63 - M-Spike Value Results from November 9 2011 Back - November 15 2011

They repeated my SPEP on November 9 2011. The results came today, November 15 2011. My M-Spike remains at 0.1 (IgG kappa). However, now I have "hypogammaglobulinema" listed on it also. I'm not sure if this is of concern or just part of recovering from stem cell transplantation. The report also lists: Mild elevated alpha-2 fraction (alpha-2 macroglobulin). Again, not sure what that means.

 The M-Spike over time from June 15 2011 to November 9 2011.

I stayed home all day today because I had to do a 24-hour urine test that I will be taking in to UCH tomorrow.

Day 62 - Walking and Hair - November 14 2011

Very windy here in Colorado today, so I decided it was best not to walk outside even with my mask. The leaves and dirt were heavy in the air. However, I did do the grocery shopping by myself and did a lot of slow walking in the store.

My hair continues to get longer...but, I still look bald.

Day 61 - Walkin' and Itchin' - November 13 2011

I walked 1.10 miles this morning. My right arm continues to ITCH. I think I've decided that it has itched since I started the Fragmin injections on November 2nd. I found this on the Fragmin Insert about pruritis (itching) from Fragmin allergy --- however, it seems WEIRD that I would only itch on my right arm at the elbow~