Update

This is the latest update on my situation...STILL WAITING to begin treatment!

My oncologist has confirmed, through my bone marrow biopsy, that the multiple myeloma is active and requires treatment. It is early stages, so none of my vital organs have sustained any damage. I had an MRI on Saturday to determine the extent of the lytic bone lesions to determine if I need radiation (unlikely).

The good news is that I have no kidney damage. This is a blessing and a curse...blessing because I am pretty healthy....curse because I am not a high priority to get started on treatment. So it has been a lot of hurry up and wait. :(    You know how impatient I can be! This is tough!

At this point in time, it is likely that we will proceed with the stem cell transplant. This is the same as a bone marrow transplant, except that they can now harvest your stem cells from your blood through a process similar to dialysis rather than extracting large quantities of your bone marrow. Additionally, they use your own stem cells so there is no rejection or GVH ( graft vs host) disease where the foreign cells battle your good cells (you IT guys are probably thinking about Star Trek)…and you have significant damage and likely death. Yikes! So my own stem cells will be used.

I am waiting for the transplant team at Juravinski Clinic in Hamilton to meet with me to explain the options and the associated risks. Once they do that and I make an informed decision to proceed, we will be started almost immediately. My decision could affect the induction chemotherapy protocol that is used so they have to meet with me first. Hence the waiting…

The process is as follows: induction chemotherapy...likely the CyBorD cocktail (you Star Trek fans likely think that sounds cool!). This will take place in the new Niagara hospital in St. Catharines. I will only need to physically go there once a week. :)  This will reduce the cancer in my bone marrow over approx 3 months. Once it gets down to a certain level, I will advance to the transplant protocol. This will involve drugs to stimulate platelet production and the harvest of these “baby blood cells” (stem cells). Once they have enough (usually enough for 2 transplants), they will freeze it and bombard me with high dose chemotherapy to eradicate as much of the cancer as they can. Then they transplant the stem cells back in via a process like a blood transfusion. The stem cells migrate to the bones and start to create new bone marrow. (I picture a wagon train heading out west…) This new marrow will have no antibodies...so I will no longer be immune to all the colds I have caught in the last 50 years. I have to be very careful until my white cell count comes up and for several months afterward.

Depending on the response or remission % achieved, (complete remission occurs in about 3%) I may  have another transplant in 3-6 months, or may remain on low dose chemo for a year or more. Remission is temporary and it can be a few months to several years before I will need treatment again. I have requested the “several year remission” for Christmas, but Santa doesn’t always bring me what I ask for. LOL

I am doing well. Cancer affects people physically and emotionally. So far I have no physical challenges as a result of the direct effect of the cancer (kidney failure, anemia, etc), but the worry and sleep issues make me very fatigued and unable to concentrate on important tasks, such as those I would be performing if I was still working. As a result, I am keeping busy at home and not stressing myself out trying to be a productive employee. :)

Once I start treatment I will be feeling crappy because of the side effects of the treatment. That will   be a different story. I am ready for that battle and am not afraid! My biggest worry through all of this  is the effect this has on my family and friends. I am strong and determined and have dealt with it...they haven't. It makes me sad. :(

Linda