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Father's Myeloma Journey

My father's journey started when he had a quadruple bypass surgery.
As he was recovering, he started to have back pain.

At first, we thought it was part of his recovery as he had been lying on is side alot, but it started to get increasingly worse.
He also had a intermittent cough.

Eventually, his back pain got to the point that he could not get up, and we had to take him to the ER.

At the ER, his creatitine was very high and constantly going up.

Eventually, he was transferred to a hospital far from our house, and there he was diagnosed with Myeloma.

At first, the oncologist from the Dr. took care of him.

It took us awhile to get his chemo.
His Dr. first wanted to put him on CyBorD; but it took a while to get approval.

My father had been taking Dexamethasone at the hospital and when we came home.

After a long wait and after a finding of Standard Risk as well as improved kidney function.

The Dr. put him on Revlimid 10Mg and 10mg of Dexamethasone per day for four days on and four days off.

We didnt see the results, but my father was apparently responding and his proteins were coming down.

However, due to the distance and other issues, we eventually changed to a reputable doctor closer to our house.

The Dr. lowered his Dex to 5mg a week, kept him on 10mg Revlimid; but also added Velcade with 2 injections a week for two weeks and then one week off.

Throughout the process, my father has struggled.

My father who was always a picky and troubled eater had lost weight after his surgery, and after being put on the Revlimid he had lost his appetite.

After his back issues, my father has been using a walker.  He has been able to walk around, but would get tired quick.  After being put on the Revlimid, he also suffered from fatigue and he started to walk less and less.

He also started to lose weight.

After the change in doctor's, he initially started to improve; and he walked for a couple of days without a walker before falling and moving back to the walker.

Eventually, the Velcade started to make matters worse for him. His hunger went away more, his fatigue became greater, and he started suffering from diarrhea.

The diarrhea we have been able to control with imodium.  

However, his loss of weight, appetite, strength are really challenging.  THey are worse during his weeks on Velcade especially the second week.

At this point, he has lost a lot of weight and strength; the Dr. has given him Drobinal; but that has only had minimal effectiveness.  

On the whole, his appetite has become worse.  He now refuses to eat solids, and we are giving him ensure, soups, and shakes; but even then it is a battle to get him to eat.  He constantly complains that he doesnt want anything and that hes had enough after a small bit.

Anything solid, he chews for a bit and then spits it out.

During his second week, his overall demeanor and attitude are very poor.

On his weeks off, everything does improve.

However, what is disheartening is that ever since going on the Velcade, his proteins have increased.

It should be noted that he did miss one week of Revlimid during one test which was after his first cycle and the second test was after his third cycle which he did not have the fourth.

His Dr. has spoken to us about changing him from Velcade to Darzalex if he doesnt respond to the Velcade or if he continues to have his falls.

As a whole the challenge now is:

1) He is very weak especially while getting his velcade and especially the second weak. He keeps losing weight, and he from time to time starts to shake and passes out.  At other times, he has a hard time breathing when walking or standing.

2) Appetite and Eating

3) His Response to the treatment.  I also raised the fact with the Dr. that he had benefitted from the Dex and if it would be beneficial to raise it slightly. Dr. recommends staying at 5 MG.

4) His demeanor and outlook. After all these things hitting him out of nowhere, he is very down and at times is not really battling. Possibly even somewhat depressed.

Anyone have any similar experiences? Any suggestions or recommendations on how to deal with any of these issues?

Thank You
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