The eyes have it!
Cataracts that is. I had a follow-up appointment with my ophthalmologist onbase after four months because my eyes haven't gotten any better. In fact I think they are worse. I can't even get very good focus using my magnifying glass. We the cataracts explain that. My left eye is worse then the other and besides the affected vision, they tend to hurt a lot, as if there is sand in my eyes. I put drops in to sooth them and then I see worse because of the fluids on my eyes. Just one viscous circle. So the doctor has referred me to a corneal specialist who as luck may have it, is also at the Air Force Academy. What I do know is that these cataracts are steroid induced and they can be treated or surgically removed when the time comes.
Last week I also saw my primary care doctor who has adjusted some of my meds to see if we can't get my energy levels higher. I also saw a pain management specialist, who after reviewing all the evidence, has decided to begin with an MRI of the thoracic and lumbar areas and to try me on oxy cotin, which is morphine in extended dose of 12-hours. If it doesn't work out he may increase the dose or try something else. My entire body aches at times from medication side affects, bone density loss, chronic graft versus host disease (c-gvhd) to the eyes, mouth and lungs and my chronic back and abdominal pain.
And finally, I saw my new oncologist in Denver and my wife and I really like him. He obviously has the knowledge in bone marrow transplants we were looking for. In fact, he spent some time at the Fred Hutch and now performs BMTs in Denver. He wants to fight my lung disease a bit more aggressively and so has prescribed me with Sirolimus, another immunosuppresant drug. He also reduced the Tacrolimus because Sirolimus tends to cause the Tac levels to rise. And in fact they did, so much that for now I have come off the Tacrolimus but have increase the prednisone to 60mg. And right when I was shaving a few pounds off my belly. I guess it will soon be back to the 2am eggs on toast and other nightly delights.
Well I can see that my updates are sounding more like gripe sessions. Overall I cannot complain. I have a wonderful family at my side, including a lovely wife who is always there for me, not to mention taking care of the boys and herself. She goes in for a second round of neck surgery in two weeks.
Love to everyone,
~David
