sjgcbm's Cancer Blog
February 23, 2009
Lots of lerning. I have not been on the site in a long time. There just wasn’t that much I would/could share.
I focused so much on getting “back to work and back to normal” that all I have been doing is going to work, coming home, taking meds and going to sleep.
Good news: my girlfriend won a sweepstakes and we are off on a cruise to the Caribbean next week. Nothing to do except rest. No phones, no computers. Warm whether. Oh, shopping of course :-)
Bad news: Just as I was allergic to Thalidomide, we now know I am also allergic to Revlimid; the only FDA drug approved to support remission in myeoma. I was very nervous about trying it, and it turns out I was right. Three weeks of trying to manage the side effects of two weeks on that medication.
Nothing to do now except watch my blood work and see how long I go without a mesurable M-spike. When/if that happens my oncologist suggest trying Velcade. I was on that without any side effects before my chemo. There is no data it will help; but there is no data that t won’t.
For now, know that I am well and REALLY excited abut this unexpected and (almost) free vacation.
Sarajane
Two Steps Forward, one step back, 
5 comments)
Thanks for your support - 
I cannot think of anything that will benefit your immune system and your state of mind as a cruise where you can be free from phones, people making demands, and free from stress. Besides if folks get annoying you can always arrange for them to become “missing.” I only hope they will serve healthy food just ask for the vegan plate. See you when you return.
I just got back from my very first cruise – a week on a motor sailing yacht that sleeps 150 and had a crew of 98 (oy!). We sailed down the coast of Costa Rica to Panama. Very, very, very laid back and relaxing.
One thing I learned: apparently cruise directors think that if you haven’t eaten a complete meal in the past 2 hours, you must be close to starvation. In addition to the regular meals on my cruise, they were constantly setting out buffets of snacks, hors d’oeuvres, sandwiches and sinful desserts. And then there were the guys wandering around with trays of canapes and appetizers. Yeesh.
Have a great time!
Can I come on the cruise? Tell them I am your houseboy or something.
Have fun, lots and lots of fun!
God bless
Mac
Dear Sarajane;
Well long time no see. Now how is it you are going on a lovely cruise, won by your friend, now that’s a nice friend indeed. What fun, to just leave all the appts, Dr.’s, worriers behind and sail to the future. I hope you find great shops, of course, wonderful food if that’s your desire, and any place that is unusual that would be different to visit. I have never cruised but I hear it is pretty great.
So sorry to hear that your present med is not sitting so well with your system. I can never understand why so many of these inventions are so toxic. I mean are they ever on the right path? Perhaps your original script will work for a necessary length of time before another drug is approved. You never know, these trials seem to move in pretty quickly these days.
I’m praying for good results with that programme.
PLease stay in touch and of course : aloaha, safe journey.
Weezie
Weezie,
I am at peace with this prpocess now. I know two years ago my prognosis would have been different, so I have placed myself in the care of G-d, and assume all will be as it should be. We have never cruised, and never been to the Caribbean, so we’ll see. I hear you either love it or hate it.
I know I had fun buying smaller clothes to wear! I am down about three sizes, not through a fiet plan I would recommend,, of course.
I will post after we get back, and try really hard to reconnect with everyone!
Take care,
Sarajane