Sunday, November 29, 2009

Working in a vacuum!

Imagine yourself on an deserted island. Your only means of communication is paper, ink from some red berry and a collection of empty bottles. You keep writing things, putting them in the bottle and setting them out to sea. The only issue is you never get any bottles back!

If you have a comment click and add it below - send me back a couple of bottles!

Friday, November 27, 2009

And we are thankful?

Ahh the holiday traditions - the three F's: Friends, Family and Food. With thanksgiving now behind us we reflect upon the wonderful day we enjoyed. The prep time the evenings before, for both food and cleaning. The arguments the morning of for what clothes the kids should wear (and what clothes they DIDNT want to wear). But all in all a most enjoyable day and, compared to years prior, almost stress free. For those of you reading this blog as a tourist (aka you don't have MM) this will be a nice read. For those of you reading this blog as a local (aka you have MM and may be going through with RVD now) this an important post so please pay attention.
Let's go through the lineup. The day started with a massive selection of cheeses and prosciutto/spinach quiches. The Danish Bleu was my fave with just the correct amount of pungent bite to go well with the dried figs. The quiches are always a winner and this year was no different. There was, of course, a selection of crackers and breadsticks to complement the cheeses. Once the turkey was out of the oven we could warmup the rest of dinner, which was plentiful. We had spaghetti squash lasagna (a recipe from the Italian Beauty Giada) that was almost decadent in it's sweetness. You would never expect squash to be sweet like this but it could have been a dessert and put the sweet potato casserole to shame in the sweet department. Sweet potato casserole (since I already mentioned it) was also a winner. I was afraid it wouldn't be the same style as I was used to having most of my life: brown sugar, nutmeg, cinnamon, marshmallows. You can't have turkey day without it. Mashed potatoes - a must have for any thanksgiving but I have to say they paled to everything else that was offered. However, when paired with the gravy they were superb! The stuffing was mom's normal recipe - a mouth watering mix of bread crumbs, celery, carrots, stock and Bell's poultry seasoning. I believe it needed a bit more time in the oven to crisp up as it was a bit soft but still had great taste. The corn muffins (or as the kids referred to them "cupcakes") were a big hit for the kids, I unfortunately was unable to sample and hence can't provide an honest review. The cranberry sauce was grand as usual, regal in color with a tartness to pucker your mouth but a sweetness to offset the tart and help provide a great complement to the meal. And the other regal-in-color food was the beet salad - I'm a huge fan of beets and this mixture of baby beets with goat cheese was an absolute winner. Last in the sides department was the Brussel sprouts with bacon. I'm sure there were other components to this dish but, like beets, i'm a huge fan of Brussels sprouts and as they say on Iron Chef, "bacon with anything is good!"
The turkey, using the Italian Beauty's Herbs de Provence recipe, was again phenomenal. We brined the turkey two nights prior and dressed the turkey the evening before. The fresh herbs and citrus flavors (as opposed to more traditional stuffing) coupled with the brining process makes for an extremely moist and delectable bird. In addition to all this there was wine aplenty to help lubricate both the food and the conversation.
All of this lead to the inevitable conclusion - dessert! There was a pumpkin pie that made my hair stand up it was so good. The apple pie, almost like an apple crumble in pie form was great with no dry crusts! The brownies were dry and crunchy on top but moist and fudgy within. Of course there was RediWhip to complement it all and coffee to round out the night.
Aside from the muffins, I believe I successfully sampled every item on the menu. Unfortunately I could only fit one helping; a single plate (albeit heaping) of food. I don't believe I could have fit even one "wahfer-thin" dinner mint. My stomach was full to the brim, it was maxed out, stretched to the limit - full!

Another successful holiday to be thankful for - or was it...

HAVE I MENTIONED THAT A SIDE EFFECT OF VELCADE IS CONSTIPATION?


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Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Puberty - again?!?

Today is the second treatment day in cycle2. Like cycle1, I am experiencing a reaction to the revlimid - at least this time I was prepared for it. On Sunday I felt it coming on and took a zyrtec to fight the itch before it came. I never got the itch like last time but I'm definitely having the reaction.
Where my gut, back and legs all feel 45 years old, my forehead looks like I'm 15! Across my entire forehead is an acne style breakout caused by my reaction to the revlimid. To add superhero status to this, I have two, almost glowing, red marks on the inside of my eye socket giving me a very otherworldly look as if I could leap talk buildings (of course the suit kills the look but I'll work on that.) My ears are also flaming red on the top and behind in reaction to the rev.
But I'll take puberty anytime if it's going to get rid of this mess inside of me. At least I don't have to worry about any Jr High dances or asking girls out!
I'm getting treatment as we speak and just got this morning's labs back.
- blood basics are the same although my hemoglobin count is increasing (which is good)
- for the first time my "page1" of the labs has NOTHING "out of range"!
- globulin dropped to 3.7
- total protein at 7.7
- calcium at 8.7
All normal!
On that note, I'll close for the day with this thought: be thankful for all you have, be helpful with all you can - just always make sure you're having fun and have a pint for me! I hope everyone has a happy Thanksgiving!


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday, November 21, 2009

Sleep is NOT over rated

I began cycle 2 yesterday. This means I got my dosage of dex, velcade, and revlimid. I also got my monthly dosage of zometa. (I did not get my flu shot as they hadn't gotten their shipment as of yday) Now granted, I did go out for Malaysian food (and 2 beers) but stopped for gelato and coffee afterwards. The coffee may not have helped do anything but assist in kicking the Dex (steroid) into high gear. In other words i was in bed last night reading, tossing but I'm working on basically no sleep and a huge schedule ahead of me today.
715 haircut
8 (more like 830) skating
11 swimming
1230 Taekwondo
2 playdate
5 dinner/playdate

Luckily I may be able to sneak in a nap during the 2p playdate. But right now I'm updating my blog so that I won't fall asleep at swimming! Need more coffee!

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Thursday, November 19, 2009

The Other White Meat

I lived through SARS and was more scared of alcohol poisoning than I was the bogus issue that arose over there at the time. I won't complain as all the wives and kids went home leaving us poor, defenseless chaps to protect the bars! So swine flu catches me a bit tongue in cheek and I've not really considered it a big concern. And now it's being made into one for me.

My son got his H1N1 vaccination today (god forbid we offend Arnold and the pork industry). There are two types: the shot and the intranasal application. The intranasal is a 'live' virus (where the shot is dead). This makes it more dangerous for someone who has a compromised immune system. At this time, that's me!

So at this moment I'm sitting at Molly's enjoying a Guinness while waiting for my wife to take the kids home from my parents apartment as I'm being quarantined from my son for the next day. Tomorrow I should get my own H1N1 shot and be well prepared to fight that live, porker virus!

Until then, I asked for a pint of Guinness and a pint of water. The barman misunderstood and provided me one Guinness and one Murphys so I will be conducting a taste test as I await my order of pork chops w/ pork rind chips! I'll beat the swine at their own game!

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

...I think it's good!

This week I'm in my "one-week off" mode until Friday. Last Friday I went in for my checkup to confirm how the first two weeks of RVD have impacted my system. I'm not an expert (but I did sleep in a Holiday Inn Express last night) but I have developed a bit of a background on what means what and I've been tracking bloodwork and numbers in a spreadsheet since September last year. And I have to say the results have been quite amazing to me! Here's the breakdown of everything.

Basic blood counts have stayed what they've been in recent months.
- WBC counts are in normal range
- RBC counts are low averaging around 3.4 (should be 4.16>5.72)
- Hemoglobin and Hematocrit are also low 11.4 and 33.5 respectively
(should be 13.5>18 and 38.7>49.9 respectively)

Total Protein was the original indicator that helped me identify the fact that I had Multiple Myeloma. Since September of last year that value has never been less than a 9 (should be 6.9>8.9). As of last Friday my total protein count was 7.9. That's down from 11.9 the previous check (and 11.5 and 10.8 the two times prior.)

Globulin is another factor that is monitored. In Sept '08 it was at 4.0, since then it's been fluctuating in the mid-6's (normal would be between 2.3>4.2). My last three checks were 8, 7.1 and 6.7. As of Friday that number was down to 4.1.

Calcium, which is used to identify the fact that potential bone degeneration is taking place, is another flag. Normal is 8.5>10.5 and my last three visits were 10.8, 10.4 and 9.7. Friday's visit was 8.7 (on the low side of normal).

The type of Multiple Myeloma I have is IGA Lambda. This signifies that the protein antibody that is present and overtaking the marrow is IGA (vs IGG or IGM) and is working in tandem with a "Lambda" Free Light Chain (vs Free Kappa and only appropriate as my fraternity was Lambda Chi Alpha!). The norm for IGA is 70>400 and my lowest count has been 2,900 but my average has been around 3,800. Most recently the numbers were 4116, 4370 and 3951 and that increase was the cause for taking the next step to the RVD regime. The free lambda numbers should be between 6.1>29.7 and most recently were 344, 357 and 379.

As of Friday IGA was 1759 and free Lambda was 69.7.
(THIS IS THE PART WHERE EVERYONE STANDS UP, GOES "WOO HOO" AND DRINKS A BEER!)

So what does this mean - well I had to read one of the Doc's messages twice to realize he actually did say these results were "fantastic". The other doc said this is a good sign. Neither of them is quite as impressed with the results as I am but then again, I'm always impressed with myself ;) Bottom line, the results are good. This Friday begins Cycle2. Before that, I have my regular doctor visit so I'll be able to see what, if any, changes have taken place in my 'week off'. Till then, here's to keeping the numbers low!

Sunday, November 15, 2009

As we always prove, it truly is a small world.

For those that know the family, it's difficult for us to go many places without having some bizarre 'small world' story. So it's no wonder that it happens now.

Saturday night, out with friends at an Indian 'fusion' restaurant (Bombay Talkie). Someone in the booth next to ours gets up and the person next to him has to stand as well. When he stands he turns and we both look at each other an do a double take:
"Hi Doc - how are you? My numbers came back yesterday and they dropped significantly." Idle, brief chit chat ensues, "I'll let you get back to your dinner, great to see you."

Our two friends are wondering a) you're on the West Side of town, how do you know someone and b) doc? I then had to explain that the person sitting directly behind our friends was the same person that extracted a piece of bone marrow slightly larger than a large grain of Basmati rice from my upper ass just last week. You don't expect to see that doctor out at dinner. But when you are part of our family, it becomes common place.

I'll have final numbers tomorrow and will post status after my first cycle of chemo.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Yin 5 - Yang 0

During my treatment yesterday I asked what I should do about the Zyrtec as I've not had any of the scalp itch but I have been ungodly tired and wasn't sure if that may have something to do with it. They told me I could stop and only use it when I felt the scalp itch coming but I potentially may not need it as the Revlimid reaction is usually only for the first four days. So last night I didn't take the Zyrtec - nor did I get much sleep!
I awoke around 0130 for a potty break. When returned to bed I closed my eyes and rolled alot and around 0245 I started reading my book. Around 0400 I tried to go back to sleep and I was up about 2 min before my 0500 alarm went off. I'm not tired now but expect I'll be a wreck tonight! I wonder if I can use the 'quiet room' at work today!
One day I'll get my yin/yang balance back!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

It's now time for the penguin on your Tele to explode!

For those of you expecting to find a Monty Python blog, my apologies - I have been told my blog is quite funny but I would never endeavour to think it might rank up there with the MP. This blog covers my diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, the fact that it has prohibited me from playing rugby, drinking incessantly; it has caused me to eat some miserably horrid pacific-seafood concoction and have myself poked/prodded and tested for quite some time now. Having said that, it is time for a bit of comic relief in the blog. So this next bit has absolutely nothing to do with my treatment or diagnosis - it was just something I found funny and appropriate.

First - what is the etiquette in the cancer treatment center? I watched one lady, making her tea at the coffee/tea/water/snack counter in the waiting room spurt creamer across the counter, twice, only to find out she's waiting for an appt that isn't till tomorrow. I watched a second lady try to 'not' be intrusive while she got her tea during the time the other lady was making the mess. I was having coffee and was able to sneak in and trigger the Kuerig (due to my intimate knowledge from my folks house) and get out of the way. Apparently not in time to get out of the way of the spurting creamer. I was holding my jacket, saw the creamer spurt and did a quick lord of the dance back and out of the way. The lady apologized and I pointed at my legs and the floor and said she missed me - she pointed at my jacket and said she didn't! all down the front of my brown suit-coat - at it's 801 (I've not yet started my day!) Contrary to popular belief, the 'roids didn't take over and I was quite nice (my treatment for the roids was starting in 15 min so today probably would have been a different story! :)

Second - compliments of Pat's father - I had just returned from the hospital and this caught me as quite funny!

A sweet grandmother telephoned St. Joseph 's Hospital. She timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?"
The operator said, "I'll be glad to help, dear. What's the name and room number of the patient?"
The grandmother, in her weak, tremulous voice, said "Norma Findlay, Room 302."
The operator replied, "Let me put you on hold while I check with the nurse's station for that room."
After a few minutes the operator returned to the phone and said, "I have good news. Her nurse just told me that Norma is doing well. Her blood pressure is fine; her blood work just came
back normal and her physician, Dr. Cohen, has scheduled her to be discharged tomorrow."
The grandmother said "Thank you. That's wonderful. I was so worried. God bless you for the good news."
The operator replied, "You're more than welcome. Is Norma your daughter?"
The grandmother said, "No, I'm Norma Findlay in Room 302. No one tells me shit."

0 mph

The best response to my prior post was "HULK ANGRY, HULK SMASH THINGS!" After all the JerseyBoyz and Goodfellas on Sat Night I was definitely feeling that way (it was the pint of Guinness that finally calmed my nerves!) But as they said in the '70's - what goes up....must come down...HARD!
It's a bizarre, mixed, feeling to have one side feel like you could successfully fight a bunch of out of shape mobsters and the other side know you need a nap (at the same time). I think this is part of what has put my yin and yang out of sorts. I'm sure others will be quick to point out that I've always been imbalanced but I seriously was in bed by 830 on Sunday and around 9 last night - totally without function - just drop dead tired. I'll get two paragraphs in my book before I fall asleep hard (not 'drift' but 'DROP' to sleep!) Could this be the Zyrtec and other things causing this or is it just the Rev - we'll have to ask the docs and nurses. On another note, I've noticed a tingling in my right foot, calf down to ankle so need to confirm that's not caused by the neurapothy. Again, will check w/ the docs - noting here for posterity sake!

Saturday, November 7, 2009

90 MPH

So the Dex is definitely kicking in. Where last weekend I was unable to notice a difference, the last few days it has most definitely been noticeable. My tipping point, or threshold for stupidity has dropped dramatically. If, on a scale of one to ten, with one being the lowest, I would usually trigger an insane rant (or muffled naughty word) at a level of 8. As of yesterday I believe that level has now reduced to .01.
Delivery bikers are my nemesis (I have the light you ignorant $&@&$!). Taxi cabs are a close second. Some clients at work have recently joined those ranks.
But on a serious note, I find myself blowing up more quickly with the kids. I'm trying to closely monitor as part of me is wanting to make sure the kids understand there are boundaries for what they can and cannot do. However, if my level of ptlatience has decreased then I need to make sure I understand that and deal accordingly.
To be clear with everyone I'm noting it here as it's something on my mind that I'm trying to monitor to keep balance. It isn't a problem and I don't need any assistance or advice. As I said at the very beginning, it's my post to rant and rave and if you find it interesting then great. If not, apols and I'll send you the link to Brittany Spears' blog!
That's all for now!


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Friday, November 6, 2009

Today's treatment is brought to you by...

Nothing exciting today. I did get a little background on the numbers I'm watching for now (vs what I've been monitoring more recently). The concern now is with the WBC counts (antibodies), the hemoglobin/RBC counts (good blood) and platelet counts (clotting ability). I'm tracking these in an iPhone app so I can at least stay aware of where I stand.
I arrived today at 0730 and it's currently 0906 and I've got another 20 minutes or so left on the IV. So my thinking I can be in and out of here by 9 was a bit off.


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Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Day 2 of Treatment

For those of you that have played online shooter games with my brother, you know what it's like walking around, KNOWING you're about to be nailed but not knowing when. You hope you get a chance to get him but you also know there's no way in h*ll that's working out. So the day after treatment 2 I'm walking around waiting for my brother to ping me with a clean head-shot just when I think I'm doing pretty well. After the first day of treatment, expecting one thing and getting another, I'm walking on the proverbial tight rope wondering what will happen today or the next day.

I slept well last night - didn't really feel like getting up. I no longer have this acne rash across my forehead like that girl from the Star Trek DS-9 or Voyager series (at least it's not as pronounced). I do however, feel a bit speedy and a bit dizzy. I'm working from home to be cautious and will try to get a nap if possible.

One other reaction not mentioned in last nights post was a rash, on my lower spine, about 8 inches in length. I hadn't felt it and it wasn't itching (that was the head). So the Doc recommended Lotrimin for the rash and asked that I monitor. For those not in the US, I'm not sure if you'll recognize Lotrimin or it's intended use. It's for jock itch - better defined as fungus around the 'package' that causes itching - usually acquired by those with an impetus for sport but not cleanliness (see prior post for reference to cleanliness, godliness and timeliness!). Now where I am so inclined to sport (and killing me not being able to play rugby) I am also so inclined to make sure that 'area' is clean and dry! I have NEVER had jock itch.

So if you come to visit and happen to be rummaging through my medicine cabinet, the Lotrimin is for my BACK, not my PACKAGE!

I'll keep everyone in the loop as things progress - be sure to stay tuned to my next "live" broadcast which I'll try to do Friday morning (it will most likely be very boring so have some coffee if just getting up or a beer (one for me) if you're just getting home from work.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Early Bird

"The early bird gets the worm" is a truism worth noting and remembering. For my second day of treatment my schedule was as follows:
- 11:00 skeletal study (xrays)
- 14:00 labs
- 14:30 bone marrow biopsy
- 16:30 treatment

It's now 17:35 and I'm sitting in a room awaiting a nurse to come in and plug me in for my chemotherapy. I'm going to post this now so for those of you who got TaiTai's email on how to setup the RSS feed you can almost experience this realtime!

When I arrived this morning the radiology group was rip roaring and ready to go. My appointment started promptly at 1100 and I was done within 20 minutes. My next appt wasn't till 1400 so I had my labs drawn early, now I didn't need to be back till 1430.
I ventured around Union Square to keep myself entertained, got a bite to eat and finally decided to head back early. I was a bit over an hour early but surprisingly they put me in a room to see the doctor at about 1410 - I was early! And that's where my luck ran out!
The Doc didn't arrive to do the bone marrow biopsy till 1535, then we needed consent forms -the list of interruptions continued. When we finally got to the point we were all waiting for - my lying flat on a table while he sticks a rather sharp instrument into my pelvis to extract a piece of marrow and fluid - it was just after 1600. The marrow we got without complication but the fluid wa a bit more difficult. He kept having to go in deeper, to no avail. He finally had to "re-position"

**** LIVE UPDATE ****
1807 and the IV has just started. I've been informed that I have an hour of hydration in addition to the chemotherapy. I may get tobtuck the kids in.
****************
so repositioning means he has to take another jab - and this time he finds his mark! It's tough to describe the biopsy. You know where your skin is and even with anesthetics, you can feel when someone is under your skin - they're just not supposed to be there. And the "pop" that goes along with the removal of the marrow is just enough to grate your nerves. But the removal of the fluid is like a thousand nails on a chalkboard while liquid fire is shot down your nerve endings. The pain is numbed but you know it should be hurting!
Here's a quick pic of the bone marrow biopsy tool kit. I meant to get an after shot (blood everywhere, 3 stained slides, container with marrow) but I forgot.






The round container with the white lid is where my marrow ended up. I have no idea what everything else was being used for (and can't see it on this screen)

WAIT - U CAN ORDER FOOD?
one of the orderlies just came by asking who ordered the Pad Thai. I was so taken aback I just said no. I should have said yea as I've no clue when I'm getting out of here! Remember my comment about the chair vs the room? Well I'm in a room again today as the chairs are all full. Here's the IV tool kit (is anyone bored with my pic and play by play?)



And here's my IV that had to be done twice as she missed my vein the first time!


Notice the band aid at the top. That's the first stick. The iv is now in the vein at the bottom left of the wrist. I'm signing off for now but if anything else funny happens I'll add to the post.
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Son of an Itch!

If you've not read the previous post, please do as I wouldn't want you to get out of order and not understand the situation, as it stands, at this moment. Timeliness is everything (and right up there with the fabled cleanliness and godliness!) Which is why I'm posting about my first day of treatment (prior post) and the reactions I had to the treatment (this post) on the same day. Timely, eh? The potential reactions I mentioned before was the list of items for which I was forewarned. Here's what I took out of Friday's meeting (and worried over the entire weekend).

Revlimid will make you drowsy, take it at night. RBC/WBC counts may drop, you can't do anything about it till you know the counts which means next visit, so don't worry about it now. Velcade will make you constipated - focus on spinach, broccolli and those other 'moving' veg. Dex will knock your socks off, make you really speedy, you'll be looking for things to do, kick the cat (they actually said that), etc. Expect to be wired Sat thru Sun and crash hard on Monday. Do the Velcade and Dex in the morning

I FELT COMPLETELY NORMAL - I NOTICED NOTHING - AT ALL

Until Sunday around 4pm.

I took my daughter to her swimming class on Sunday. It was my first adventure actually in the pool at the 14th street Y. Afterwards we went for Ramen across the street - really good, Japanese style Ramen - Mia Loved it. We then went to the playground and I noticed my head and my rectal area (I couldn't just say butt) both itched. Yes, itched.

First thing through my head, "oh my god - my kids swim in that pool every week!" Second thing through my head, "i can't have been allergic to the Ramen - I'm not really allergic to anything". When I got home I took a shower to be safe and didn't notice much of a change. But it wasn't till 33o in the morning when I woke up scratching like an old blood hound with the mange. I couldn't stop - it was killing me! I had a glass of milk and went back to bed. I tried to get up and work out but that wasn't working for me. I went to work and was fine (again, no crash) but if I just touched my head it turned into a 5 minute scratch-fest complete with bouncing leg (if you hit my ear just right!)

A frantic message to DFCI informed me that this is the Revlimid - nothing to be worried about. A later message from a DFCI RN told me I could take Benadryl, 25-50mg - which put me out, like a light, in the third inning of the game (which is probably a good thing). I took another 25mg at 2am and at this moment I'm hoping SVCCC has something more for me when I arrive there today as this itch is driving me crazy!

So my biggest reaction to the treatment? It's a son of an Itch!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

1st Day of Treatment: Part Deux

It's just about 30 minutes to hop the bus to the subway for a transfer to get over to SVCCC - which is why, when I guesstimated 20 minutes for the expedition, I was about 5 minutes late. I guess being tardy for your first day of treatment isn't on-par with expectations -- duly noted. And to quell any fears, I did receive my comeuppance.

First - The treatment area has reclining chairs, personal TVs and all the necessary accoutrement's to make this part of your experience as enjoyable as possible. The nurse asked if this was my first time receiving this treatment to which I virginally replied, "yes". To which she responded, "I'm going to put you in a room." My immediate response, again, virginally, was, "that's OK, I'm fine with the chair." And her rapid response was, "that's OK, I'm still going to put you in a room,"
Me: (wondering about my virginal situation)"why the room?"
Nurse: "I have oxygen and everything else I need in that room"
Me: "uhmm, excuse me?"
Nurse: "don't worry, we hardly ever need that stuff"

And in 15 minutes I was on a bed, with an IV in my arm awaiting the loss of my chemo-virginity.

The god of chastity belts reared his head in the form of Mrs Hannibal (yes, Hannibal) who informed me my insurance company had not yet agreed to pay for the chemo treatments so they regretfully inform me they may not be able to provide my treatment today. One frantic phone call revealed there was no pending approvals or rejections at the insurance company. Apparently my age and the chemo didn't go together so, internally, there was some confusion at SVCCC but bottom line it was cleared up and I was no longer a chemo-virgin!

The drugs (which I've outlined previously) and their warnings - life is a bowl of disclaimers!
Revlimid - nausea, tiredness, drop in RBC/WBC counts when the treatment starts.
- take this orally for 14 days and then skip for seven days.
Velcade - nausea, dizziness, constipation
- take this, via IV, twice a week for two weeks, then skip for seven days.
Dexamethazone (Decadon) - steroid - RUN FAST, WORK HARD, STRONG LIKE BULL! I was warned that I better have something to do on Saturday as I'm going to be extremely 'speedy' on Sat and Sun and then will crash hard on Monday. I was warned to tell everyone, it's the drugs, not me. Where I may have never before kicked the cat, I may actually kick the cat (mood swings could be fierce on steroids).
- take this, via IV, in conjunction w/ the Velcade.

More on actual reactions later.