The Myeloma Kid

"Excellent Partial Remission": Those were the words that the oncologist used on Thursday to describe my current health. Incredibly ambiguous, yet incredibly good news. It means that my kappa light chain counts have remained low and I've responded well to the chemotherapy. The partial part of it is....well....the multiple myeloma will always be with me. There is no cure. But, for now we have the upper hand. So, what does this mean? It means that I may not have to go through with the bone marrow transplant just yet. It means that I may be healthy enough to continue a chemotherapy maintenance program consisting of steriods and/or in conjunction with my Velcade. Our path-forward at this point will consist of doing more blood tests to ensure my numbers are and remain low. In addition, we will prep for the bone marrow transplant. I will take Nupagen shots (I get to shoot myself...oh boy!) within the next week to boost my red and white cell counts and to coax the stem cells into the blood stream. If all goes well, we will begin to harvest my stem cells on 2/13. It's scheduled for 3 days and really only requires me to sit still for a few hours each day. (They may be able to use my dialysis catherter to collect the stem cells). We will continue with the preparations for a bone marrow transplant for early March. However, should the numbers remain low, then there's a good chance that we can hold off with the transplant until some future date; 1 month, 1 year, 5 years...who knows? The stem cells can be cryogenically preserved for however long they need to be kept. So, this way we at least the cells are collected when I am relatively healthy (kidneys aside) and they can be ready if (when) I need them. The decision to do or not to do the bone marrow transplant isnt as straight forward as it sounds. The oncologist indicated that studies have shown that people who complete transplants earlier tend to live longer. However, he caveated this statement in my terms of me having recent heart surgery and the fact I'm currently on dialysis. And, my conditions may (or may not) complicate the transplant proceedings. However, in my words....I feel pretty good right now. I'm responding well to the treatments. My quality of life is relatively good. So, I can't see pushing for a bone marrow transplant to get to "some" point afterwards that may be yet an unknown. There are no garrauntees that my quality of life, or my health, or my condition will be better after a bone marrow transplant. Who knows....all this talk may be for nothing when I get my recent tests back and show that I better get the transplant now. So, we'll see. I'm also going to look into home hemodialysis. It's where I can conduct my own dialysis each night for a couple of hours rather than having to go to a clinic for 4.5 hours 3x a week. Courses on operation and care are provided. This way, I again have a chance to improve my quality of life. It may give me the ability to resume work and resume patterns of life that I so desparately want to be a part of. So, it's good news. I may get a chance to actually relax for a bit. I may yet again be able to trust my body for a while. And, I may yet again golf....yeah....the Doctor gave me clearance to golf (and other no-impact activities). So, anyone near a golf course should be very afraid (on the course, no....near.....yes....I don't hit them very straight...lol). Thanks again to everyone. I hope everyone is doing well. Love ya's, Lance