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Sunday, March 6, 2016

Cancer is My Fungus


Hello March ~
Good news: we are finally better from the awful February "Fever Flu"!
Bad news: my recent labs revealed a disturbing trend.
Bad news: my new betta fish has a fungus and so do I
Good news: I'll tell you my story...


This analogy hit me the other day: Cancer is a Fungus! Myeloma is my fungus!
It hit me while watching my fungus infected betta shimmy around his bowl, fungus in tow, eyeing me, blowing bubbles and just seeming to "happily" study me. He has a fin fungus. Since the beginning of February, I've been treating him for a "cottony fungus" that he acquired prior to me "adopting" him. If you're an animal person, and have seen the display of poor little bettas in pet stores, then you know the unhealthy conditions in which they are kept. They are fed too much food at a time, their water becomes putrid, and sadly not changed often enough in the store. As a result, most bettas wind up with some sort of bacterial infection, fungus, etc. They are very hearty adaptable fish, but their little bodies eventually get sick from the unhealthy conditions in which they are kept. (Yep me! Unhealthy life conditions lol!) You can see the little bit of cottony fungus attached to his fin:


So the analogy of cancer being like a fungus growing inside of me hit me like a lightening bolt. Mr betta fish's fungus is visible, mine is not. Myeloma is my "invisible" fungus! Permeating my entire being. Winding it's way through all of me. Trying to take over all of me. Creeping through my being. Suffocating, killing my healthy cells. Cancer has infiltrated my being, my core, my organs, my entire physiology. It can't be seen to the naked eye, but it's there growing, spreading, attaching to my everything. Stupid insidious cancer! Myeloma as a fungus hit me! Why things suddenly impact me in the way they do, when they do, I don't know why, but this analogy really hit me: CANCER is a FUNGUS like this stuff growing on my betta fish. I can just visualize it's poisonous tentacles slithering around my cells, taking over, smothering, attacking the healthy cells. Myeloma is my internal fungus.

Additionally, since I've had such a difficult time feeling well after this crazy lingering Forever Fever Flu that took over my life in February, the fungus analogy seemed to apply to that too. Both the flu and cancer: creeping, suffocating, slithering germs, invading my entire being. Lingering and seemingly stuck within my being, never leaving. Never ever leaving...

Then that concept hit me. Again, why now? I don't know, but it hit me... I'll NEVER be well, ever again. I will always be "sick". Always cancer-sick or chemo-sick or sick-sick. I've been fighting cancer for 6 or 7 or 8 years now. 6+ years known, and who knows how many years prior to diagnosis unknown. It hits me fully, I will be fighting the-trying-to-be-well-feel-well-battle forever now! FOREVER! Why? Because I have an incurable cancerous fungus continually growing inside of me. Cancer is my forever fungus! I will never be free of it.This is my reality. "Forever" really hit me. Forever and ever, unwell..


So at the beginning of January 2016 my local oncologist suggested I begin weaning myself off Dexamethasone steroids. I had been on 20mg per week since October 2013 with Revlimid. When I switched from Revlimid to Kyprolis in November 2015, we paired 10mg + 10mg Dex with my Monday, Tuesday Kyprolis infusions. Was working really well (see my Dec 15, 2015 post), but she was worried the impact of me being on steroids for over 2 years. So we began reducing the level during January and February, and eventually reduced to NO Dex, just Kyprolis.

Well.... at my SCT appointment on Feb 15 (the day I was getting sick and didn't immediately realize it), my IgA showed an increase from the last labs. Not a lot, but noticeable. My SCT hematologist was not overly alarmed, but was a little concerned about me being weaned completely from Dex steroids. He agreed with the reasoning, but said that if my M-Protein changes, then he would recommend going back on the Dex steroids.

Whether me being sick, or missing 2 Krypolis infusions from being so sick in February, or being off Dex steroids, the results are in, and sadly my M Protein has come roaring back. My oncologist called me on Friday to let me know I should start the Dex steroids again. I'm really not surprised at all. Looking back on my stats from 2010, Dex steroids really helped bring my myeloma levels down. Same for 2013 on. When I was diligent about taking the 20mg per week, my IgA and M Protein was lower. So lesson learned. My IgA type of myeloma particularly hates Dex steroids. So here we go again. Roid rage fun and then awful crash. Every week now. Hello bi-polar, fake propped up life.


Here's my stats for perspective:
Immunoglobulins (I'm IgA myeloma):
Normal IgA = 70 - 400, Normal IgG = 700 - 1600, Normal IgM = 40 - 230

Date                      IgA        IgG         IgM
10/18/15              1890       240         < 18
11/18/15              1440       233         < 18
12/2/15                862         230         < 18
12/30/15              482         262         < 18
1/18/16                426         228         < 18
1/27/16                432         221         < 18
2/10/16                551         227         < 18
2/28/16                635         226         < 18

M Protein (Normal = 0)
July = 1.26
Aug = 1.01
Sep = 1.37
Oct =  1.58
Nov = 1.12
Dec and Jan = Not Detectable! thank you Kyprolis + Dex
Feb =  0.62 Ugh! Quite a jump in a short period of time

MMRF
Ok, here we go again! Back to Dex Steroids with Kyprolis. To be honest, I missed the "artificial" prop up I would get from Dex. I've just felt so lethargic, fatigued and tired. I just don't have any "pep in my step" any more. Actually haven't for a long time, it was just hidden by the weekly steroid boost. And the fatigue. Ugh the fatigue. Feeling so exhausted and depleted all the time. Sure, I hated the evil "crash", but with how physically depleted and fatigued I have felt from everything, it's going to be a nice little "vacation" to feel some energy for 2 days a week. Unfortunately my Dex days won't be "play" days or work days, as they'll be Kyprolis infusion days. But at least I'll have more energy to smile and feel hope again.

 My "circle of life" infusion


So forward I march (lol it is March). Monday, Tuesday. Monday, Tuesday. Monday, Tuesday. Still trying to process and absorb my crazy situation. Sorry if I am always so redundant about this topic, and it seems to be an ongoing blog theme here, but I don't think I will ever fully absorb my cancerous circumstance. Have you accepted, processed, absorbed your life "circumstance" or "challenges", whatever they may be?

In other news, my life is still as comical as ever with all our animals. I laugh at my responsibilities, given my medical situation, but I know all these lives depending upon us, give me purpose. I laugh at all the potential contamination I am around with all the animals, but my poor dry overly washed hands are evidence of how careful I am. Everyday when I care for our 19 year old cat in diapers, I think... if he could talk, would this be what he would want? Yet, his sweet purring reaffirms his happiness with all the attention. But it's another analogy in my life: I hope his senior life circumstance is not mine one day... diapers... no thank you!


And finally, with how lousy I've felt for so long, I watch more TV now then I ever did in my pre-cancer life. Today, on Nat Geo Wild, the theme was "Adapt or Die".. that concept struck me too. I'm trying hard to "adapt". I really am. I remind myself... "The Only Constant is Change". Push forward always, just like the thousands of baby sea turtles born on land, programmed with amazing natural radar, to get to the sea. Push forward. Don't stop. Keep going. Danger is always lurking. Push forward. Accept. Go. Do it! Just get there!



Awareness, Process, Accept, Adapt. Forward March to chemo Julie.


Live happy, live well, and make a difference somewhere, somehow, with someone or something as often as you can!



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2 comments:

  1. UnknownSeptember 07, 2016

    If you think cancer is a fungus, so do others. Dr. Simoncini suggests using sodium bicarbonate to get the pH of the blood to a particular level where the cancer won't thrive because he thinks cancer is a fungus. There are testimonies that this treatment works.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJune 14, 2018

    Many think cancer is a fungus as well as other chronic illnesses and diseases. Ever since I moved to AZ. I've been sick from fungus and mold (Valley Fever and our laundry room flooded).

    Maybe an anti-fungal medication and/or an anti-fungal diet would help. I pray you are one day able to get back to good health. (www.knowthecause.com)


    ReplyDelete

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My Story... How my MM was diagnosed

October/November/December 2009...

Most of my life I was VERY presumptuous about being healthy, taking my (mostly) GOOD health for granted...
I was committed to annual check-ups for all of us, and so late October 2009, my daughter and I went for our annual and very routine physicals.

Surprise, surprise... my routine blood tests revealed extreme Anemia, significant White and Red Cell issues, low Platelets, and a variety of other CBC red flags! I was (stupidly) not worried when my GP doc left repeated phone messages to contact him, and when we did speak, I (stupidly) requested postponement of his referral appointment to the Hematology Dept until the end of the Fall academic term.

Arriving for my first appointment Dec 14, 2009, I was confronted with the check-in sign that read: "Hematology/Oncology"... What? Nooooo! not me... I must be in the WRONG place! And so my diagnosis journey began with vials and vials of blood drawn "stat", urgent Dr consultations, a surprise and painful Bone Marrow Biopsy, a full body Skeletal Scan, more blood tests stat, and then on 12.30.2009... THE revealing meeting... the "huh-what" moment ... the confirmation diagnosis that I, Julie, have CANCER!!!

Happy New Year to me, I just learned a new vocabulary word:
Multiple Myeloma!!! MM, Multiple Mye-what-loma!!!

January - June 2010

My medical metamorphosis began.
I read, and read, and read and researched and researched MM. I trusted my expert Oncology/Hematology team's plan and began my "New Normal" as a cancer patient.
My treatment plan was developed to include powerful Dexemthesone steroids paired with Revlimid chemotherapy, with the plan to be hospitalized for an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant July 2010.

I began living "one day at a time" like never before.
Jim was a wreck. Alissa and Scott were stunned; family and friends shocked.

Me... Cowgirl Up! I got back in the saddle and knew I was in for the ride of my life!
I did well on my initial pill-form Revlimid Chemo, "roid-rage" Dex Steroids and other supportive meds. I am forever deeply grateful and appreciative for all the love and support from everyone in my personal and professional life! I thank all of you for working along with me, and allowing me to continue to lead a semi "normal" life!
YOU have helped save my life!

My treatment trail ride forks to City of Hope hospital as I will saddle up beginning June 9, 2010 for a new rodeo called an Autologous Stem Cell Transplant!
Ye-Ha, let the adventure begin!

Chemical Warfare...

January 2010 - May 2010:
My initial chemo regimen:

Pill form Chemo= Revlimid (10mg, 15mg capsules)
Pill form Dexamethasone Steroids (40 mg, 4 days on, 4 days off!
Omeprazole for steroid acid reflux
Mepron (looks like yellow finger paint) Anti-fungal, Anti-viral, etc for my very compromised immune system
B-12
.81 Aspirin to prevent DVT, Revlimid complications
Allopurinol- keeping the kidneys healthy
Acyclovir- anti-Shingles, anti-viral

June 2010:
High dose IV Cytoxan chemo
Neupogen to build up stem cells for Apheresis, stem cell harvest, which was very successful, as City of Hope was able to collect 9.5 million of my own stem cells

July 2010 Hospitalization:
Two days of high dose Melphalan chemo
Then July 5, 2010 = my Autologous Stem Cell transplant infusion!

And you can read my whole story from that point forward in this blog!


What is multiple myeloma?

What is multiple myeloma?

Cancer starts when cells in the body begin to grow out of control. Cells in nearly any part of the body can become cancer, and can spread to other areas of the body. To learn more about how cancers start and spread, see What Is Cancer?

Multiple myeloma is a cancer formed by malignant plasma cells. Normal plasma cells are found in the bone marrow and are an important part of the immune system.

The immune system is made up of several types of cells that work together to fight infections and other diseases. Lymphocytes (lymph cells) are the main cell type of the immune system. The major types of lymphocytes are T cells and B cells.

When B cells respond to an infection, they mature and change into plasma cells. Plasma cells make the antibodies (also called immunoglobulins) that help the body attack and kill germs. Lymphocytes are in many areas of the body, such as lymph nodes, the bone marrow, the intestines, and the bloodstream. Plasma cells, however, are mainly found in the bone marrow. Bone marrow is the soft tissue inside some hollow bones. In addition to plasma cells, normal bone marrow has cells that make the different normal blood cells.

When plasma cells become cancerous and grow out of control, they can produce a tumor called a plasmacytoma. These tumors generally develop in a bone, but they are also rarely found in other tissues. If someone has only a single plasma cell tumor, the disease is called an isolated (or solitary) plasmacytoma. If someone has more than one plasmacytoma, they have multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is characterized by several features, including:

Low blood counts

In multiple myeloma, the overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow can crowd out normal blood-forming cells, leading to low blood counts. This can cause anemia – a shortage of red blood cells. People with anemia become pale, weak, and fatigued. Multiple myeloma can also cause the level of platelets in the blood to become low (called thrombocytopenia). This can lead to increased bleeding and bruising. Another condition that can develop is leukopenia – a shortage of normal white blood cells. This can lead to problems fighting infections.

Bone and calcium problems

Myeloma cells also interfere with cells that help keep the bones strong. Bones are constantly being remade to keep them strong. Two major kinds of bone cells normally work together to keep bones healthy and strong. The cells that lay down new bone are called osteoblasts. The cells that break down old bone are called osteoclasts. Myeloma cells make a substance that tells the osteoclasts to speed up dissolving the bone. Since the osteoblasts do not get a signal to put down new bone, old bone is broken down without new bone to replace it. This makes the bones weak and they break easily. Fractured bones are a major problem in people with myeloma. This increase in bone break-down can also raise calcium levels in the blood. (Problems caused by high calcium levels are discussed in the section “How is multiple myeloma diagnosed?”)

Infections

Abnormal plasma cells do not protect the body from infections. As mentioned before, normal plasma cells produce antibodies that attack germs. For example, if you developed pneumonia, normal plasma cells would produce antibodies aimed at the specific bacteria that were causing the illness. These antibodies help the body attack and kill the bacteria. In multiple myeloma, the myeloma cells crowd out the normal plasma cells, so that antibodies to fight the infection can’t be made. The antibody made by the myeloma cells does not help fight infections. That’s because the myeloma cells are just many copies of the same plasma cell – all making copies of the same exact (or monoclonal) antibody.

Kidney problems

The antibody made by myeloma cells can harm the kidneys. This can lead to kidney damage and even kidney failure.