While Steve had been given the latest and greatest in multiple myeloma therapy his oncologist was surprised at how both therapies had been so problematic for him. Between the side effects and lack of response she had to now look to older treatments for help.
So he began chemotherapy number 3, V.A.D which stands for Vincristine, Adriamycin and Dexamethasone (steroid).
Due to the toxicity of Adriamycin to the heart the oncologist would monitor Steve closely with the cardiologist conducting an echocardiogram after each treatment. He’s already had two echos. The first one in August showed his heart to be very strong (77%) the second in January was at 68%.
The chemo is administered over a 96 hour period via a picc line he had surgically inserted in his upper arm. It makes bathing quite challenging since it cannot get wet. The Vincristine and the Adriamycin are pumped into his body through the picc line by a portable pump which he carries with him for 4 days. The Dexamethsone pills are taken orally. He takes 40mg a day for four days on days 1-4, 9-12 and 17-20.
His side effects include severe neuropathy which causes him a lot of pain and hair loss. Many days he will tell you he doesn’t feel good. But it’s hard to tell if it’s the myeloma or the chemo.
He had his third echo on March 1st and we were amazed that his number went up, from 68% to 71%. God is good.
Steve is doing much, much better on this chemo. He is no longer home bound, he is driving again, has much more energy (must be the steroids) and visits me at work all the time.
He did have a major problem in February. On day three of his treatment his neck starting hurting and by 7:00 pm he had a fever. After calling the doctor on call we went to the ER. Through the long hours of the night it became very painful for him to swallow and to breath. After a cat scan, ultrasound and blood tests it was discovered he had an infection in his left carotid artery which had traveled down into his chest. Luckily they had started him on a broad-spectrum antibiotic when we arrived so he was back at home in two days.
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