Your Health: Cancer in remission, time to look ahead

I am in remission of my multiple myeloma cancer. The three months of chemotherapy last fall and winter did a great job in knocking out most of those cancerous plasma cells which were taking over my body. The stem-cell transplant I was originally to have following chemotherapy has been canceled. I will have my blood tested regularly to monitor my remission. My thanks to Dr. Michael Wu and his wonderful caring staff at the Palo Alto Medical Foundation oncology department who did a superb job treating my disease.
I discovered that one doesn’t necessarily have to leave Santa Cruz for state-of-the-art cancer care that I found right here through my group at PAMF. I sure wasn’t used to being — nor particularly enjoyed — being on the patient side of the doctor/patient relationship. It was a humbling experience and has taught me more about patients and patience along my journey.
Unfortunately, I am suffering from a fairly severe neuropathy of my feet from the chemo drugs, and this is currently adversely affecting my ability to walk normally. I do, however, feel it’s a small price to pay for my successful cancer treatment. I’m told the neuropathy should improve with time. I’ll try to be patient, (not one of my virtues however).
Another little complication I had in the past month, most likely unrelated to my cancer or treatment, is a condition of my heart called constrictive pericarditis. This occurs when the sac of tissue surrounding the heart (the percardium) becomes inflamed and tightens in on the heart, causing the heart to pump less efficiently.
This threw me into mild heart failure with significant shortness of breath, swelling of lower extremities and general fatigue. Dr. Neil Sawheny, one of my cardiologist partners at PAMF, is treating me for this unexpected complication and I seem to be responding well and improving day by day.
In general , my overall well-being is improving significantly. I feel as though my life as I once knew it is being slowly restored. Once my neuropathy shows signs of improvement, I hope to return to work at least half-time.
I’ll give myself a break to work a bit less since I’ve now been practicing medicine for the past 40 years, 27 years in urgent care Scotts Valley. I love my staff, my patients, many of whom I’ve come to know quite well. Most of all, I love the satisfaction I receive in helping make people feel better and in maintaining their good health.
My thanks to all of you who have mailed get-well cards or sent email messages for my recovery. I am a strong believer in the power of prayer and I know your prayers for me have been heard.
My personal lesson from my cancer experience is this: If you have any health symptoms that seem unusual to you or are lasting longer than you think they should, see your doctor for a work up. If everything checks out OK and your symptoms soon improve, then be thankful.
If something serious like cancer is found, the sooner it’s treated the better the outcome. This a proven fact. Also, for those many of you who are healthy, give thanks every morning that you can begin a new day.
My best wishes to you for long healthy lives.