Monday, April 26, 2010

Why did this happen to me?

I was due to start my rescheduled myeloma Revlite clinical trial on 15th April 2010. Unfortunately the evening before the trial I developed huge pain in my right femur the one that had been rodded and pinned 2 weeks prior. I could not apply any weight to my right leg. Next morning I could not get out of bed so phoned the hospital who cancelled my trial and ordered an ambulance to take me to hospital.
X-rays were taken that showed I had a small fracture at the lytic lesion.
The next 8 days were spent in hospital. Orthopaedics confirmed that the rod and pins were all in place with no problems there.
My pain killers were increased and physiotherapy commenced with leg exercises in bed. The rod and pins in my left humerus were giving me pain limiting the use of crutches. It was decided I needed a walker designed to take pressure off my arms. It has 2 handles for my hands like a triathletes handle bar and a flat padded base that I can lean on.
After 8 days I was released home in a wheel chair along with my walker.
Next haematologist appointment is Tuesday 27th April where we discuss what happens next.
This has been a huge disappointment to me with 2 attempts at the clinical trial being postponed at the last minute.
After reading of side effects of Lenalidomid and dexamethasone that others have experienced I wonder if it is worth having chemotherapy until the leg fracture is healed and I am mobile again. The side effect of cramp on a fractured leg worries me.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Sid - You had it rodded and pinned before it fractured, so the issue is the new fracture rather than the op? How come it was able to fracture after it was pinned? I really hope you don't mind me asking. I appreciate this is a huge disappointment so won't mind at all if the second word is off! Very warm wishes.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sid - You had it rodded and pinned before it fractured, so the issue is the new fracture rather than the op? How come it was able to fracture after it was pinned? I really hope you don't mind me asking. I appreciate this is a huge disappointment so won't mind at all if the second word is off! Very warm wishes.

Sid said...

The bone doctor said it was a small fracture in the lytic leision, not in the main femur. The lesion had grown slightly in size during that small time. The aim is to treat the lesion.
Sid

Anonymous said...

sorry things went down like that for you. I know being in a clinical trial would be very exciting, I have tried to get in quite a few but get discounted for this or that reason. I think the hope that it IS the next best new way or therapy is part of it, but also knowing you could be helping so many that will travel this path behind us is thrilling too.

Good luck to youm I hope this finds you feeling better now.

~KT
http://managingmyeloma.blogspot.com/

Sid said...

Thanks KT,
It always gives me a boost to receive contact from another myeloma friend or supporter.
In New Zealand we have a public health service. Unfortunately the funding agency Pharmac does not fund Valcade or Revlimd though applications are in the system. We have to compete for the Pharmac dollar along with all the other cancers and illnesses. If we want it we have to fund it ourselves.
I did not qualify for the Valcade trial but do for the Lenalidomide Revlite trial.
Sid