Good news, I guess, at the doctors the other day. My markers seemed to either stay steady or improve. Although my doctor ordered the m-spike test, the lab missed it. Since the other markers were OK, he’s not worried. As a matter of fact, instead of seeing him in 3 months as usual, I will see him in 4 months.
The xrays my doctor ordered didn’t show any MM activity. So, it continues to simmer, but it’s not erupting thus far.
I had back-to-back appointments. First the pump refill, next the Oncologist. Jessica refilled my Intrathecal Pump this time. Susan ordered the higher concentration of the Lioresal, so this refill should last me 6 months. I asked Jessica to increase my dosage another 10%. Since I’ve had leg spasms and some tone yet, I thought it a good idea.
I was OK until the next day. Wednesday morning I got the refill and adjustment and by Thursday evening, I could hardly stand up, even walk using a walker. It kind of scared me. My legs feel like they each weigh 100 pounds as it is; now they each felt 200 pounds, doubled. I had sat at the kitchen table reading most of the day. When I tried to get up, I thought I wasn’t going to make it to the next room. But somehow I turned the lights out, got ready for bed, and on to bed.
Upon waking Friday morning, I was still in bad shape…but maybe a little better. I wasn’t better off enough to have the nerve to get out and meet my sister for breakfast. I canceled that plus called my friend and canceled her invitation of dinner after church Sunday. I just didn’t know how I was going to get around.
I called the doctor office and left a message for Jessica. She’s out on Friday’s, so I knew I wouldn’t hear from her until Monday. This was not an emergency and certainly not life or death; my legs were just not supporting me. The symptoms I was having sounded like symptoms of too high a dosage. Sometimes when the medicine releases the tone, weakness is exposed. The tone actually provides support in standing.
So, I rested most of the day Friday, but got up every now and then. Gradually my legs improved. They’re still a little wobbly, but I can sometimes use only a cane and even sometimes walk without anything from room to room.
I have no idea what happened. It was strange that it didn’t show up until nearly 24+ hours after the increased dosage. Jessica will call me Monday and I’ll have more information to tell her. If I’m no worse than I am now, and especially if I improve, then I won’t return for an adjustment.
So, no reason to throw in the towel yet. I guess I need to keep up the good fight. Well, I’m glad I don’t have to be preoccuppied with worry over treatment because I have so many books yet to read. I primarily read books on politics and history. I have books on ecology, animals, and a wide variety of topics. And yet…so many goals and interests….drawing, painting, quilting, scrapbooking, piano, Spanish……(jogging & yoga would still be here if I could…)