I didn’t realise how long it has been since I last wrote. Christmas was quiet but very good.
My levels continues to rise. I did more Revlimid and my consultant added in the dreaded Dex at 40mg. But to no avail. We have decided that I should go on Pomalidomide. It’s the next iteration from Revlimid and you have it in the same way – pills for three weeks and a week off. Dex every week on the first day of my cycle. That’s why I’m up at 3.40 am writing this! I’m on my second week of Pom now, and haven’t noticed much difference. More fatigue perhaps and I’ve had to up my Questran to stop the runs returning. But I’ve also been put back on Zometa IV once a month for my bones and that requires Adcal/D3 – 4 more tablets a day, away from other meds. And also I’m having allpurinol (for uric acid) – it’s common to have at least a month’s worth. So these drugs may be partly the cause for the bad tummy and bowels. I’ve certainly had very bad acid reflux. My list of medicines is now truly impressive!
Apart from the usual aches and pains I have had periods of bad cramps in hands and feet, which are quite unnerving – my thumb can suddenly lock for example. But I haven’t had them as badly more recently so I’m hoping it’s a temporary thing. Very well known side effect of Revlimid.
So just a question of waiting for the next blood results which will be in a few weeks time. Hoping at the very least things may have stabilised, but one round won’t be enough to tell.
I was hospitalised for one night as I complained of being a bit breathless. They didn’t hang around – Revlimid can cause blood clots. In and out of x-ray, CT scan, oxygen tests etc. Nothing. But I have discovered I am anaemic again, so hopefully they might do something about that. I had to go on Clexane injections (blood thinner) and what with that and my immunoglob injections 3 times a week, my stomach was very bruised. I tried it in my thighs and buttocks, but the size of the bruises was huge – still got them though I’ve been off Clexane for a couple of weeks.
Went to Leicester to see my immunologist – saw a new member of staff who was lovely and very thorough. She gave me a ring when some blood tests came through and was very supportive. My Ig levels are normal, if a bit low end.
So that’s about all. My brother had a successful bowel cancer op – 25 cms out, glued back together, all by keyhole, no stoma bag, no spread as far as they can see. He’s still in a bit of discomfort not surprisingly, especially as I guess his bowels have all been shuffled around a bit inside but he is recovering well.
Oh yes, and I’ve done a genetic survey for bowel cancer – meant filling in lots of family details, which took ages to do. That goes off the Oxford and then I’ll get a talk to the geneticist at my local hospital. My GP suggested all that – he’s very good. Might help with understanding the probabilities of my kids getting it – they could then get tests when they were older.