Getting Old is Not for Sissies

It’s been a busy time for medical appointments and some time since I wrote an update. The title of this post is from a quote attributed to Bette Davis. The sentiment is one expressed in other terms by countless people since. Most of my complaints can be at ascribed to the traits of getting older, like sciatica, osteoarthritis, and degenerative disc disease. Nevertheless, they are still painful companions to tote around every day like a 50-pound rucksack.

A few are cancer treatment related, like the fatigue and the neuropathy in my feet and possibly my hands as well. I should find out something about that after a nerve conductivity test tomorrow morning. As for the cancer, I learned in my June visit with Dr. Joudeh that the myeloma had been detected once again in my blood in both my May and June labs, but only in minute quantities. Today’s results showed no myeloma, like the blood work from all of my tests since the stem cell transplant in June 2021, with the exception of those two months. The fact that it was detectable at all in the May and June results was a bit of a concern to me, and I asked Dr. Joudeh what it might mean for my treatment regimen if it continued.

He told me that for now, he was not concerned because the quantity was so small.

“We will continue to watch it, and if it were to begin to climb, even by small amounts, we might consider a change, because we don’t want it to progress to the point that more bone damage occurs.”

I asked about the possibility of another stem cell transplant being necessary, and his words were quite sobering. He explained that there are so many new treatments, some which have not yet been approved, that show a lot of promise. Then he said: “A second stem cell transplant would be a last resort; only 1 in 8 people survives one.”

Another of the questions on my list today was about the OU Medical Center hospital where I had my stem cell transplant and why he encouraged me to reach out to them. He explained that in facilities that have specialized departments for cancer treatment, like the Stephenson Cancer Center at OU Medical or M.D. Anderson or the Mayo Clinic, they are able to conduct tests and offer studies that might be beneficial for me that no facility in Pensacola can provide. I thought about the MRD, minimal residual disease, tests that I’d read about as one example.

One invasive test that I’ve undergone at least four times now is a bone marrow biopsy, and Dr. Joudeh suggested that it’s time for another one. My last one was almost a year ago. Since my particular myeloma doesn’t normally show up in my blood, a biopsy is a more accurate way to detect myeloma cells.

“You prefer to have it done at the hospital, don’t you,” he said, more as an affirmation than a question.

“I’d rather you did it, to be honest,” I told him, and I truly would because I believe he would get the best sample. “But yes,” I said, “I’d rather not be awake for it.”

So, sometime in the next few weeks, I expect I’ll be scheduled for yet another bone marrow biopsy. Of course, I will let you know how it goes.

As for the other complaints, one of the best countermeasures for the pain is activity. I admit I haven’t been very active lately because it hurts to move around, but I know it’s better if I fight through it. Activity has been a constant theme throughout this journey, especially during my 16-day stay in the hospital for the transplant. The nurses constantly harped on me to “get out of bed and move around” as much as I could. And so, I shall. After all, I’m no sissy.