My Digital Life

What a busy past few weeks this has been. I'm glad to share that I passed both Comptia A+ exams and am now a certified computer technician. It was designation suggested for work and has been a personal goal of mine for a while. I've also been enjoying what was left of my vacation by doing some nothing, which takes some doing. Oh yes, and researching new vehicles, mainly small crossovers and SUVs. I can't but help being a bit morbid and wonder if it's the last vehicle I'll ever buy. Trying to decide between a Subaru Forester, a Nissan Rogue or a Hyundai Santa Fe. Or maybe I'll just get a team of dogs and a good sled to carry me through the winter. Mush.

Health-wise, nothing all that new to report. A Bence-Jones test I had done a few weeks ago was rejected thanks to traces of blood in my urine. I don't see any blood when I urinate and hope this isn't a sign of another health issue. Bone pain and extremity sensations continue, varying from throbbing, pins and needles to warmth. Could be related to MM neuropathy or just arthritis. That's the hassle of MM. It makes you paranoid since you wonder if every little ache and pain signals the progression of the disease. Oh cancer, how I loathe thee.

In changing the subject, I'll leave you with this jem - Idioteque by one of my very favourite bands - Radiohead. I love this band for their muscial complexity, energy, artistry and sound. Top notch, in my book.

Thinking Ahead about Biophosphates

Howdy. I haven't posted in a while due to studying for my A+ Certification and enjoying goofing off during my vacation. All said, I've been feeling pretty good apart from increasingly frequent pain in my humerus, femur and tibia bones. My doctor says while this could be a symptom of myeloma, it could just be arthritis. I've also been experiencing what I think is neuropathy in my extremities (tips of fingers and toes). Although my MM has been diagnosed at stage I and indolent, it's still a bit unnerving to think about what might be coming. Still, I'm not letting this stop me from living and it seldom gets be worried. I went through a major "freak out" period just prior to being officially diagnosed, between my bone marrow biopsy and results appointment. I refuse to feel like that again. Although I'm feeling positive I am still being proactive.

Although skeletal surveys show my bones to be strong and free of lesions, I am aware that in the future I may need to take biophosphates. These drugs are also used in treating osteoperosis, and are used to bind areas where bones have been destroyed. A rare but serious side effect is osteonecrosis of the jaw, where the jaw bones do not receive adequate oxygen or nutrients and can collapse. This side effect occurs in 1-6% of patients, and can be caused by dental work prior to or during taking biophosphate drugs. For this reason, it is recommended patients have dental work compelted prior to taking biophosphates or stop taking the drugs prior dental procedures (on their doctor's recommendations, of course). In thinking ahead, I'm getting a filling replaced in efforts to fix a fractured tooth. Oh, the joy. My dentist said I would not be a high risk for jaw disease, but did recommend the problem be addressed.

You can read more about biophosphates and MM here.

Going to the dentist reminds me of the following skit featuring Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. I love how they stuggle to keep a straight face through the skit. Fortunately, my dentist is much more competent than this guy. Enjoy.

UPDATE: I jist goth backsh from da dentisht. Went well, but I'm shtill a bit fwozen.