Ok

We can't discuss details of USS Freedom yet....

So let's talk myeloma.

I have a primary care, a local hematology oncologist and two specialists in Boston. So, sometimes communication between the five of us is a problem. Throw in a holiday like say......Thanksgiving and there are some pretty frustrating delays.

During my 20 NOV visit with Miller I was told that my results would be available on Monday or Tuesday. Guess I should have asked which Monday or Tuesday because the call came in yesterday. It's raw data and I am trying to compare it to my Dr. Schlossman information.

Here's what I *think* I know.

On 21 AUG I saw Dr. Miller and my IGA immunoglobulins were 4940- Stage IIA

On 17 SEP I saw Dr. Schlossman and my IGA immunoglobulins were 5850 - Stage IIIA

On 20 NOV I saw Dr. Miller (after two full cycles of Revlimid w/ld Dex) and my IGA immunoglobulins were 3370 - Stage IA

So clearly Rev is working. I owe Dr. Miller a dollar. But I am disturbed that it jumped 910 in 26 days. Is that fast? Aggressive? Normal? I have sent a fax to Dr. Hochstin with these questions.

It is an enormous relief to know that there was a reason to put myself through this.

I *think* this will make the next series of two cycles easier to take. But who knows, I am such a whiner. I had to laugh when Dr. Miller said he was concerned with my side effects and the fact that I was having trouble tolerating the treatment. Why is no one taking perspective into account.

I am completely unprepared for all this. I have never suffered a serious injury. I have never been hospitalized other than the births of my two sons.....and let me be completely honest here....compared to some of the horror stories I have heard....my experiences were nothing. It took my sister *days* to have some of her kids. My sons practically fell out! From the time I felt a twinge, my water broke and Tommy showed up was four hours with only one of those being anything that could be catagorized as labor. With Frankie, I felt uncomfortable for a few hours, then crampy, then again maybe an hour of labor and fini. I have never broken a bone. I have never had an illness that lasted longer than a day except for chicken pox and that's an itch not a pain.

So of course, I have no tolerance.

If this were Grace or Jennifer going through this, they wouldn't even feel the side effects worth discussing. As a matter of fact with all Jen goes through with the MS, she might not even notice Revlimid side effects, lol!

Mind you, I am all about the full disclosure. Each time I meet someone and we discuss the cancer, the treatment.....I tell them right up front that I am whiny and I have a ridiculously low tolerance for pain. So no one can blame me if I am difficult......they were warned.