Six months after my first stem cell transplant for myeloma (2001) Myra and I discussed my progress and medical future with my haematologist. All was going well, my bloods, IgG etc were normal.
We said we had intended to travel as we got older. He said “do it sooner rather than later.” Rather ominous but that’s myeloma.
He said because of my compromised immune system try to avoid long haul flights and be selective where we travel. Avoid counties with limited hygiene, over crowding and be careful of what I ate.
I was 54, still had to work for an income. Our decision was easy.
We would plan a holiday (vacation) of 2 to 3 weeks once a year. Exploring New Zealand where we live and Australia a three hour flight across the Tasman Sea.
Our themes were keep it simple, let’s have fun, let’s create some memories, lets spend quality time together while I am well.
As we have a son and daughter-in-law in Sydney we factored a few visits there.
Our Australian holidays have been:
Cairns 2003
Sunshine Coast June 2004
Gold Coast 2005
Sydney May 2006
Sydney Christmas 2006
Gold Coast to Sydney Sunshine Coast (2007)
Sydney (NRL grand Final) September 2007
Melbourne May 2009
Sunshine Coast November 2009
Australia has a warmer climate than New Zealand. We travel in May (southern hemisphere autumn/fall) when the day time temperature is about 24C (75F).
Lots of good memories.
Showing posts with label Part 3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Part 3. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Myeloma plateau or remission
Now that I had reached my first myeloma plateau stage people were asking “what is a plateau stage”?
When I was diagnosed with myeloma in 2001 myeloma was considered a cancer that had no cure. It was explained I would have treatment, recover, then enter a plateau stage. This would be followed by a relapse, more treatment, then another plateau stage. This cycle of treatment/plateau/relapse was to be my future with the plateau stage getting progressively shorter. Treatment was chemotherapy; Thalidomide was on the horizon, that was it.
Plateau was described as a stable stage of my disease following a good response to anti cancer treatment. The word remission was not used.
It is only in recent times that the word remission has been introduced into the myeloma vocabulary. Now it is:
CR = complete remission.
VGPR = very good partial remission.
PR = partial remission.
NR = no remission.
The advent of the new generation treatments Thalidomide, Velcade, Revlimid and their alphabet combinations VTD, RTD, VPM etc, etc have changed outcomes. Improved treatment responses means people are now living longer with myeloma.
With total therapy treatment now available CR is the expected outcome. If I was a participant of total therapy treatment I would be totally focused on CR and would be telling everyone my entire goal is CR. Plateau would not be used.
My reference to plateau stage is now being challenged by myeloma treatment moving forward, it is time for me to reassess.
When I was diagnosed with myeloma in 2001 myeloma was considered a cancer that had no cure. It was explained I would have treatment, recover, then enter a plateau stage. This would be followed by a relapse, more treatment, then another plateau stage. This cycle of treatment/plateau/relapse was to be my future with the plateau stage getting progressively shorter. Treatment was chemotherapy; Thalidomide was on the horizon, that was it.
Plateau was described as a stable stage of my disease following a good response to anti cancer treatment. The word remission was not used.
It is only in recent times that the word remission has been introduced into the myeloma vocabulary. Now it is:
CR = complete remission.
VGPR = very good partial remission.
PR = partial remission.
NR = no remission.
The advent of the new generation treatments Thalidomide, Velcade, Revlimid and their alphabet combinations VTD, RTD, VPM etc, etc have changed outcomes. Improved treatment responses means people are now living longer with myeloma.
With total therapy treatment now available CR is the expected outcome. If I was a participant of total therapy treatment I would be totally focused on CR and would be telling everyone my entire goal is CR. Plateau would not be used.
My reference to plateau stage is now being challenged by myeloma treatment moving forward, it is time for me to reassess.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Interferon maintenance for myeloma
After achieving the plateau stage following my first autologous stem cell transplant for myeloma in 2001 my haematologist put me on maintenance therapy of interferon alpha.
At that time trial data suggested that interferon maintenance therapy improved remission duration in patients following transplants.
The interferon was self administered, injecting into my thigh or stomach three times a week.
Initially I suffered side effects of flu like symptoms and chills the day after the injections. These progressively reduced and disappeared after four weeks.
Eventually I began to suffer the symptoms of depression. This was attributed to the Interferon therapy. My depression was getting progressively worse so in early 2005 I stopped the Interferon and the depression disappeared.
With the introduction of the newer treatments we now have, Interferon seems to have fallen out of favour.
At that time trial data suggested that interferon maintenance therapy improved remission duration in patients following transplants.
The interferon was self administered, injecting into my thigh or stomach three times a week.
Initially I suffered side effects of flu like symptoms and chills the day after the injections. These progressively reduced and disappeared after four weeks.
Eventually I began to suffer the symptoms of depression. This was attributed to the Interferon therapy. My depression was getting progressively worse so in early 2005 I stopped the Interferon and the depression disappeared.
With the introduction of the newer treatments we now have, Interferon seems to have fallen out of favour.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Myeloma wish list
I have been thinking. What would be most helpful to make life better for myeloma patients? Here are some of my thoughts.
USB port:
It’s the era of computer development so why weren’t we born with a USB port some where on our body. Plug a lead from the port to the computer and through a computer programme we could diagnose, read all blood results and determine anything else that was wrong. If the programme was smart enough it could even do a bone marrow biopsy.
That would do away with finding veins.
Car park building ticket:
Ever tried to put your arm out the car window to get the ticket from the car park ticket machine while suffering myeloma bone pain? Sometimes I had to ask Myra to get out of the passenger seat and walk around to get the ticket out of the machine for me. I want an arm on that machine that extends into the car so I don’t have to reach out.
Speed humps:
Speed humps should be made from soft foam rubber that would help the bones!!!
Showering:
Showering with myeloma bone pain and restricted movement is difficult. I need a showering machine like a car wash. Turn it on, walk in and let the brushes and rollers do the work.
Plumbing inlet/outlet.
Needles in veins for blood tests and IV lines could be avoided it we were born with permanent inlet outlet taps connected directly to a vein.
Electronic bed:
That’s already available and I have used one, a great help. During my second ASCT I had an arm in a sling and was suffering myeloma back pain. The hospital gave me the electronic bed complete with remote control. Move it up, move it down, raise the head, raise or lower the legs.
USB port:
It’s the era of computer development so why weren’t we born with a USB port some where on our body. Plug a lead from the port to the computer and through a computer programme we could diagnose, read all blood results and determine anything else that was wrong. If the programme was smart enough it could even do a bone marrow biopsy.
That would do away with finding veins.
Car park building ticket:
Ever tried to put your arm out the car window to get the ticket from the car park ticket machine while suffering myeloma bone pain? Sometimes I had to ask Myra to get out of the passenger seat and walk around to get the ticket out of the machine for me. I want an arm on that machine that extends into the car so I don’t have to reach out.
Speed humps:
Speed humps should be made from soft foam rubber that would help the bones!!!
Showering:
Showering with myeloma bone pain and restricted movement is difficult. I need a showering machine like a car wash. Turn it on, walk in and let the brushes and rollers do the work.
Plumbing inlet/outlet.
Needles in veins for blood tests and IV lines could be avoided it we were born with permanent inlet outlet taps connected directly to a vein.
Electronic bed:
That’s already available and I have used one, a great help. During my second ASCT I had an arm in a sling and was suffering myeloma back pain. The hospital gave me the electronic bed complete with remote control. Move it up, move it down, raise the head, raise or lower the legs.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Central vein occlusion again
A month after finishing my final VAD cycle for myeloma and 2 days after my stem cell harvest (2001) I developed blurred vision in my left eye resulting in a mild central vein occlusion. A previous posting of mine covered that.
Link: Left central vein occlusion.
Three and a half years later (April 2005) I developed blurred vision in my right eye.
This occurred during my first plateau stage. Two months earlier I had stopped taking Interferon Alpha-2A maintenance treatment. At the time of the blurred vision I was on no medication, all my test results were normal. An appointment was made to see the eye clinic at the hospital where the eye was inspected and tests were carried out.
The left eye (previous central vein occlusion) showed “no signs of the previous vascular event.”
The right eye presented a “swollen optic nerve with tortuous veins and numerous nerve fibre layer haemorrhages. There was diffuse macular oedema.”In simple terms the right eye showed a mild central vein occlusion.
No treatment was required and I was advised that over the next 3 months my vision would either improve or deteriorate. My right eye improved and returned to normal. As a precaution my hematologist prescribed a daily low dose aspirin (Cartia) to help thin the blood which I continue to have.
A follow up 9 months later showed that the right eye had returned to its normal state.
I have had no eye problems since.
Link: Left central vein occlusion.
Three and a half years later (April 2005) I developed blurred vision in my right eye.
This occurred during my first plateau stage. Two months earlier I had stopped taking Interferon Alpha-2A maintenance treatment. At the time of the blurred vision I was on no medication, all my test results were normal. An appointment was made to see the eye clinic at the hospital where the eye was inspected and tests were carried out.
The left eye (previous central vein occlusion) showed “no signs of the previous vascular event.”
The right eye presented a “swollen optic nerve with tortuous veins and numerous nerve fibre layer haemorrhages. There was diffuse macular oedema.”In simple terms the right eye showed a mild central vein occlusion.
No treatment was required and I was advised that over the next 3 months my vision would either improve or deteriorate. My right eye improved and returned to normal. As a precaution my hematologist prescribed a daily low dose aspirin (Cartia) to help thin the blood which I continue to have.
A follow up 9 months later showed that the right eye had returned to its normal state.
I have had no eye problems since.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Coping with death of a myeloma friend
Three months after my first stem cell transplant (2001) I experienced the first of my myeloma friends dying, death from myeloma.
Myeloma is a cancer which has no cure. At that time in New Zealand prognosis was 3 years, possibly up to 5 years with an ASCT, standard treatment was chemotherapy, thalidomide had not been approved. Death from myeloma was a reality.
Not long after diagnose I went through the process of confronting death. For me to move forward death could not be avoided; there was to be no denial.
Link: Confronting death from myeloma.
When I heard that “J” had died from the consequences of myeloma I was devastated, very distraught. “J” was a mentor to me, helping me from our first meeting at our myeloma support group with coping skills, myeloma, and transplant advice. In 1995 he had been ASCT patient No 4 in New Zealand, a myeloma and ASCT pioneer.
During the previous 3 months I had been very much focussed on me, my ASCT preparation, transplant and recovery. This left me with little time for anything else; I had forgotten that people die of myeloma.
The death of “J” jolted me back to reality.
Unable to cope adequately I approached the Cancer Society of NZ for counselling, a service I had used before not long after diagnose. My counsellor listened to me explain my problem, we discussed the situation then I was introduced to a range of coping skills. It was up to me to decide what would suit me.
From that counselling I have devised a routine that I use when a myeloma friend dies.
Myeloma can be such a selective and personal disease affecting us all differently.
One of my original sayings is repeated: “My illness, my body, my medication.” My myeloma friend has died, not me. My battle continues.
I sit alone and reminisce about my myeloma friend, their illness, the good times, the bad times, what they meant to me and the times we shared. At the conclusion of that I say the first of my farewells.
Next I ask Myra to sit with me, she usually knows the person. We talk together then say goodbye to our friend ending with a prayer.
The final step is to fill in a bereavement card and include a small note to the family. Only when I feel I have fully dealt with the death do I seal and post the card. That is the final farewell.
My myeloma friends mean a lot to me, they are my lifeline. In a corner of my heart I place a red rose for each one who has passed on. Rest in peace my myeloma friends.
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
Myeloma is a cancer which has no cure. At that time in New Zealand prognosis was 3 years, possibly up to 5 years with an ASCT, standard treatment was chemotherapy, thalidomide had not been approved. Death from myeloma was a reality.
Not long after diagnose I went through the process of confronting death. For me to move forward death could not be avoided; there was to be no denial.
Link: Confronting death from myeloma.
When I heard that “J” had died from the consequences of myeloma I was devastated, very distraught. “J” was a mentor to me, helping me from our first meeting at our myeloma support group with coping skills, myeloma, and transplant advice. In 1995 he had been ASCT patient No 4 in New Zealand, a myeloma and ASCT pioneer.
During the previous 3 months I had been very much focussed on me, my ASCT preparation, transplant and recovery. This left me with little time for anything else; I had forgotten that people die of myeloma.
The death of “J” jolted me back to reality.
Unable to cope adequately I approached the Cancer Society of NZ for counselling, a service I had used before not long after diagnose. My counsellor listened to me explain my problem, we discussed the situation then I was introduced to a range of coping skills. It was up to me to decide what would suit me.
From that counselling I have devised a routine that I use when a myeloma friend dies.
Myeloma can be such a selective and personal disease affecting us all differently.
One of my original sayings is repeated: “My illness, my body, my medication.” My myeloma friend has died, not me. My battle continues.
I sit alone and reminisce about my myeloma friend, their illness, the good times, the bad times, what they meant to me and the times we shared. At the conclusion of that I say the first of my farewells.
Next I ask Myra to sit with me, she usually knows the person. We talk together then say goodbye to our friend ending with a prayer.
The final step is to fill in a bereavement card and include a small note to the family. Only when I feel I have fully dealt with the death do I seal and post the card. That is the final farewell.
My myeloma friends mean a lot to me, they are my lifeline. In a corner of my heart I place a red rose for each one who has passed on. Rest in peace my myeloma friends.
John 5:24 “I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
Saturday, January 16, 2010
My veins
A consequence of a blood cancer like myeloma is many blood tests are required.
My veins are not too good, small and hard too find. This creates problems for the vampires, oops nurses, who need to extract my blood.
I go to the local Labtest, previously Med Lab, to extract my blood for tests and have found it helps me to have the same nurse each time as she becomes familiar with my veins and I become confident with her and relaxed.
On appointment day if it’s a cold day I wear gloves to keep my hands warm. Advice from the nurses to help me has included keep the fluids up to avoid dehydration, drink a glass of water on arrival, try a heated wheat bag or hot water bottle on the arms and wear clothes that keep me warm.
To increase the blood flow I keep my veins pumped up by doing hand, finger and arm exercise, mainly flexing. Some people must think I have been let out of the cupboard for the morning as there have been a few strange looks in the waiting room while doing that.
Holding my tongue to the left and closing one eye does not help at all.
When I go to haematology day stay for my monthly Aredia (bisphosphonate) I require an intravenous line in the top of my hand. The visit starts with a drink of water then a soaking of my arms in a large tub of hot water. Again I usually get the same nurse.
Speaking to other patients, apparently bad veins are not uncommon. A young lady in her late teens once told me she some times has to have the blood taken from a vein in her ankle!
I have never had any problems with fear of needles, I have very little fear. It doesn’t matter if I look at the needle going in or look away. I do like to keep my arm or hand relaxed, that does make a difference to me.
Bang, did you here that, some one has fainted reading this. As I wrote “In Helpful hints for myeloma survival” needles come with the myeloma package, overcome the fear.
My veins are not too good, small and hard too find. This creates problems for the vampires, oops nurses, who need to extract my blood.
I go to the local Labtest, previously Med Lab, to extract my blood for tests and have found it helps me to have the same nurse each time as she becomes familiar with my veins and I become confident with her and relaxed.
On appointment day if it’s a cold day I wear gloves to keep my hands warm. Advice from the nurses to help me has included keep the fluids up to avoid dehydration, drink a glass of water on arrival, try a heated wheat bag or hot water bottle on the arms and wear clothes that keep me warm.
To increase the blood flow I keep my veins pumped up by doing hand, finger and arm exercise, mainly flexing. Some people must think I have been let out of the cupboard for the morning as there have been a few strange looks in the waiting room while doing that.
Holding my tongue to the left and closing one eye does not help at all.
When I go to haematology day stay for my monthly Aredia (bisphosphonate) I require an intravenous line in the top of my hand. The visit starts with a drink of water then a soaking of my arms in a large tub of hot water. Again I usually get the same nurse.
Speaking to other patients, apparently bad veins are not uncommon. A young lady in her late teens once told me she some times has to have the blood taken from a vein in her ankle!
I have never had any problems with fear of needles, I have very little fear. It doesn’t matter if I look at the needle going in or look away. I do like to keep my arm or hand relaxed, that does make a difference to me.
Bang, did you here that, some one has fainted reading this. As I wrote “In Helpful hints for myeloma survival” needles come with the myeloma package, overcome the fear.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Chemo brain
Chemo brain, it's real. In 2001 I had VAD treatment for myeloma followed by an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). The treatment and ASCT included chemotherapy drugs Vincristine, Adriamycin, Melphalan and cyclophosphamide. After the ASCT I started noticing memory issues.
There was an intermittent short term memory loss.
At times a short attention span.
I had trouble remembering people’s names.
Difficulty in finishing sentences, some words were not there, or difficulty finding the right word.
Sometimes I could not remember the detail of conversations.
At work technical terms that I used infrequently were hard to recall.
I would plan to do things later or the next day and then forget about it.
I had to resort to writing notes for myself, make lists and have had to get help from whatshername, the lady I am married to. She gives me a word to help finish a sentence, a reminder to use a list or help in recalling a name.
After the first few months of chemo brain whatshername said my selective memory matched my selective hearing!!!
Fortunately it has improved over time though has not gone away completely. Lists and notes are essential.
I have spoken to other chemo patients and many have had a similar experience.
After my second ASCT in 2008 chemo brain returned and remained for 6 months when there began a gradual improvement. Twelve months after ASCT2 I was back to a pre transplant condition, chemo brain still there but more manageable.
The major myeloma and cancer web sites are now acknowledging chemo brain and are a good resource for background information.
During ASCT recovery I went to the local shopping mall by myself, walked around and had some good time out. Got back into the car and found my wife’s Foodtown card in my pocket. Then realised I left the shopping list at home but recalled there were 4 items on the list. So I walked the isles but nothing clicked. Oh dear, back home for the list. Another lesson learnt.
There was an intermittent short term memory loss.
At times a short attention span.
I had trouble remembering people’s names.
Difficulty in finishing sentences, some words were not there, or difficulty finding the right word.
Sometimes I could not remember the detail of conversations.
At work technical terms that I used infrequently were hard to recall.
I would plan to do things later or the next day and then forget about it.
I had to resort to writing notes for myself, make lists and have had to get help from whatshername, the lady I am married to. She gives me a word to help finish a sentence, a reminder to use a list or help in recalling a name.
After the first few months of chemo brain whatshername said my selective memory matched my selective hearing!!!
Fortunately it has improved over time though has not gone away completely. Lists and notes are essential.
I have spoken to other chemo patients and many have had a similar experience.
After my second ASCT in 2008 chemo brain returned and remained for 6 months when there began a gradual improvement. Twelve months after ASCT2 I was back to a pre transplant condition, chemo brain still there but more manageable.
The major myeloma and cancer web sites are now acknowledging chemo brain and are a good resource for background information.
During ASCT recovery I went to the local shopping mall by myself, walked around and had some good time out. Got back into the car and found my wife’s Foodtown card in my pocket. Then realised I left the shopping list at home but recalled there were 4 items on the list. So I walked the isles but nothing clicked. Oh dear, back home for the list. Another lesson learnt.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
The golden archway
During my first autologous stem cell transplant I used a visualisation scenario.
Link: Myeloma transplant – visualisation.
The final part of that visualisation scenario was to reach the Golden Archway which represented my post transplant 100 day test results. To pass through the Golden Archway into a future I needed to have successful results.
This I achieved, my IgG was 9.6 g/l (960 mg/dl). At diagnose my IgG was 80g/l (8000 mg/l), pre transplant it was 23.1 g/l (2310 mg/dl). Success, I walked through the Golden Archway.
My future was unknown, how long would I be in the plateau stage, everyone wants to know the answer to that. There is no answer until the plateau stage finishes, then you will know.
My intention was to enjoy every moment, take advantage of my second chance, live for the “now’.
I needed an income so returned to work, initially part time, progressively moving to full time negotiating no more long hours.
Myra and I had had wanted to travel after retirement. After my haematologist said “travel, do it sooner than later” those travel plans were bought forward though somewhat reduced by my health and immune restrictions and income.
Walking through the Golden Archway created a new beginning.
Link: Myeloma transplant – visualisation.
The final part of that visualisation scenario was to reach the Golden Archway which represented my post transplant 100 day test results. To pass through the Golden Archway into a future I needed to have successful results.
This I achieved, my IgG was 9.6 g/l (960 mg/dl). At diagnose my IgG was 80g/l (8000 mg/l), pre transplant it was 23.1 g/l (2310 mg/dl). Success, I walked through the Golden Archway.
My future was unknown, how long would I be in the plateau stage, everyone wants to know the answer to that. There is no answer until the plateau stage finishes, then you will know.
My intention was to enjoy every moment, take advantage of my second chance, live for the “now’.
I needed an income so returned to work, initially part time, progressively moving to full time negotiating no more long hours.
Myra and I had had wanted to travel after retirement. After my haematologist said “travel, do it sooner than later” those travel plans were bought forward though somewhat reduced by my health and immune restrictions and income.
Walking through the Golden Archway created a new beginning.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Helpful hints for myeloma survival.
Here are some helpful hints for myeloma survival that I have learnt or been given by myeloma friends.
Take ownership. It’s your illness no one else’s.
Denial, get over it.
Anger; be angry, deal with it, move on.
Create a knowledge base for myeloma.
Don’t listen to Aunty Mary stories, yours is unique.
If some one cannot say the word cancer out loud they are not on your side, tell them to go away.
Join a myeloma support group for friendship and knowledge.
Help is a phone call away, write down your important contact numbers.
When the day is dark, light a candle.
Some days are surrounded by monsters, there is no way in, there is no way out.
Learn how to say NO!
Learn how to GLARE!
Learn how to say GO AWAY! (Use your own words here)
Learn how to say THANK YOU!
Learn how to SMILE!
Treatment:
Go to appointments prepared.
Be knowledgeable, find out. Leave appointments with results and knowledge.
For pills keep a medication chart or blister pack.
Side effects will happen, be prepared.
Needles come with the myeloma package, overcome the fear.
Day stay / treatment day: You will want to pee. Practice going to the toilet with the IV lines attached before you need to. Practice perfection.
Listen to your body, it’s yours, you know it well. When tired: sleep. When hungry: eat. When thirsty: drink. When you want to go to the toilet: go.
If you want to help me, spend a day in my body, with my pain, with my treatment, with my side effects, with my head space.
Say goodbye to mother ship when the treatment is over, move on.
Positives:
Celebrate success.
Practice positive visualisation.
Create some positive sayings that have meaning to you. Use the words “I” and “will”.
My treatment is working, I am healing, I will get better.
Worrying does not empty tomorrow of its troubles, it empties today of its strengths.
Take time off from being sick, have some fun.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Part 3 Plateau stage commencement
My retrospective myeloma blog continues.
Part 1 “The beginning” covering initial diagnose and treatment was completed July 2009: Link to summary of part 1 the beginning.
Part 2 ASCT was completed December 2009: Link to summary of part 2 ASCT for myeloma.
I now start Part 3; the first plateau stage.
Results from my 100 day post ASCT were all good, IgG had reduced to 10.3g/l (1030mg/dl) from 80g/L (8000mg/dl) at diagnose and 31g/L 3100mg/dl) prior to ASCT.
My health was good, I had made an excellent recovery, my plateau stage had commenced.
This continued relatively uneventful until September 2006 when over a short period of time a plasmacytoma grew in my left humerus and shattered the bone.
IgG levels were still down and it wasn’t until the end of 2007 that they started to increase. My relapse had begun.
What happened after that will be in Part 4 “the relapse”.
The word remission is now frequently used in relation to successful myeloma treatments. When I was first diagnosed the term remission was not used as it was considered the myeloma will return. More about my views on that in a future posting.
Part 1 “The beginning” covering initial diagnose and treatment was completed July 2009: Link to summary of part 1 the beginning.
Part 2 ASCT was completed December 2009: Link to summary of part 2 ASCT for myeloma.
I now start Part 3; the first plateau stage.
Results from my 100 day post ASCT were all good, IgG had reduced to 10.3g/l (1030mg/dl) from 80g/L (8000mg/dl) at diagnose and 31g/L 3100mg/dl) prior to ASCT.
My health was good, I had made an excellent recovery, my plateau stage had commenced.
This continued relatively uneventful until September 2006 when over a short period of time a plasmacytoma grew in my left humerus and shattered the bone.
IgG levels were still down and it wasn’t until the end of 2007 that they started to increase. My relapse had begun.
What happened after that will be in Part 4 “the relapse”.
The word remission is now frequently used in relation to successful myeloma treatments. When I was first diagnosed the term remission was not used as it was considered the myeloma will return. More about my views on that in a future posting.
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