It is Friday, 5th day of the new treatment cycle. I itch like crazy, mostly scalp, but legs and arms too. I do see I mentioned that during the first week of treatment last time. I did not mention when it stopped, so not sure how long to expect this to last. I am also pretty tired, and I mentioned that last time too. So I guess this is my normal reaction. Oh also my blood pressure has been quite low, and I made note of that too.

Starting back up on the Rev dex has not been as bad as the beginning, at least not yet. I had NO cramps Monday. Let's hear it for no cramps. But i did not sleep Monday night at all. Las night slept very well indeed. But now getting the itching I had back at the beginning. Presently the scalp itches like crazy. last time I changed shampoo for a while. I'll have to see if that helps.
But overall, not too bad.

Back on Rev Dex

At my visit with Dr. Aboulafia on October 4, we decided to stop the Rev Dex to facilitate the stem cell collection. I have been off them since that time. I had a successful stem cell collection November 17 and 18, and it has now been just over two weeks to get over that. So today I start the treatments again.
In the first months of my six month treatment period, I experienced cramps in the feet, legs, and hands on Mondays, the Dex days. Often the cramps came on just after noon. That got better in the later months, with few cramps, and actually getting some sleep. So I am wondering whether I am starting over, or picking up where i left off.
I'm happy to report it is after 6:00 PM, feeling fine

Stem cells done

Yes! The Friday collection was sufficient to complete the job. So in two tries, I made it. They are being kept frozen by Puget Sound Blood Center for later use if needed. Saturday the doctor pulled out the central line. No anesthesia, just snip the stitches and pull it out. Not too much pain. Pressure on the insertion site controlled bleeding. Platelets are low because of the collection, so he wants me off aspirin and Plavix until this next Friday.

I am set to re-start Revlimid and dexamethasone on December 5. I will take that as maintenance for the foreseeable future.

The central line went in Tuesday. Pretty simple procedure in radiology so ultrasound can guide placement. Mine is in the left subclavian vein, and it is threaded down through that to the superior vena cava. I have been surprised at how painful it is, and I'm glad for the vicodin given for pain control. Starting the day before the line placement, i have been given Neupogen which causes the marrow to produce more cells. It causes bone pain. I have been mostly unaffected by it, but noticed yesterday my hips are a little sore, but also I have had throbbing pain across the low back and chest, keeping time with my pulse. Pain pills for that too.

We started collecting stem cells yesterday, I got just under half of what I need, so I'm having my second collection today. Hope we get enough; I'd like ti be done with the central line.

Central line

Correction. I am not having a port, but a central line. So much I don't know.

A central line is large bore to handle the amount of fluid necessary. It will hang outside the body. They cover it with a plastic tape of some sort to protect the site, allow for bathing. Guess I don't want to wrestle, Seems it would be easy to catch this thing on something and have a real problem. Anyway, that's what's happening this week.

eye surgery, port placement

Last Friday, Nov 4, I had eye surgery. This was an epiretinal membrane removal. It had become wrinkled, which was distorting the vision. I also had a huge floater in the middle of my vision. As an outpatient under light anesthesia I had it removed. My recovery has not been swift, with much swelling and pain last night and this morning. I saw the doctor who prescribed some drops to reduce the pressure in my eye. They were magic, and i can see again. Not well, but it will slowly get better.

Next week I am getting a port placed for stem cell collection. I will be going in every day next week for a couple hours as part of the process.

Oh, forgot to mention that a pre surgery blood draw last week showed hematocrit down one point. I hope that was just within the margin of error for the test.