Trees and CKs

This past week, Helen and I have been digging up tree stumps, cutting down trees, and trimming trees away from our house (and the house next door). We used muscles that we haven't used in a long time, and I was very sore Monday when we went in for our visit. I told the PA that my blood work might be different this time, because I had strained several muscles. Sure enough, my CK levels were much higher than normal.

CK stands for Creatine kinase. Elevated levels often indicate muscle damage, and it is tested for when trying to determine if a person has had a heart attack or has suffered damage to the heart, brain, or muscle tissue. Every time I have blood work done, CK is tested for, because the drug I am taking could possibly cause muscle damage. If a patient on LDE225 continues to have high CK levels, the patient will be disqualified from taking the drug.

My doctor told me (through my PA) to stop doing strenuous activities until my CK levels get back down to normal. She said it would be OK to continue walking for exercise, but I need to lay off of the hard work. Aw, man! Helen wasn't with me when she came in and told me that, so I asked her to come back and tell Helen she was going to have to quit working me so hard! Doctor's orders!

My next visit will include another DEXA Scan (bone density scan). These come every six months in this clinical trial. It seems like no time since I had my last one. That one revealed some significant bone loss, possibly a side-effect of the drug. We'll see what this one shows.

God continues to bless us beyond our ability to ask or think. We are so undeserving and so thankful. He has been more than faithful to His Word. We continue to trust Him and depend on Him to guide us through our days. God is so good...