A Hefty Decision With Multiple Myeloma
Posted on 06. Feb, 2011 by James Clark in Health, Opinions, Popular Stories
Now that I’ve been through the first treatment process of Multiple Myeloma, I had to get an opinion from the University of Minnesota regarding this disease.
I started treatment in October 2010. The treatment consisted of taking Revlimid for 2 weeks, then having a rest period of 1 week.
In November 2010, they informed me that I had stage 3 Myeloma, so they started me intravenously with Velcade. This chemo causes cancer cells to die by blocking the action of proteasomes. I took this 2 times weekly. After 2 weeks, I was given a 1 week break. I had to have 4 sessions of this treatment. Each month I get Zometa which will bind to my bones to help prevent bone loss.
My consultation with the doctors at the University of Minnesota gave me a lot more information about my disease. They said when my treatment began, my bone marrow was 85% saturated with cancer. When I think back about how I felt and what I was doing, I would believe that. During that period, I had to deal with my Mom’s death, take care of my wife and deal with her death. In October, it was my turn as all that turmoil was over with. Was I too late? I guess time will tell on this one.
It was recommended that I have a transplant done. They said I would have to move to Minneapolis since I live far from there. I would have to spend 3 weeks in the hospital, then spend another 2-3 months in a center where I would need a caregiver with me 24/7. They have a powerful chemo drug that totally wipes out your bodily defenses and causes various side effects such as mouth sores, swallowing difficulties, nausea, lack of appetite, just to mention a few. The side effects do pop up within a year after the transplant.
When the transplant is done, then I would have to go on maintenance for the year. Maintenance consists of taking a chemo pill such as Revlimid, Thalomid, Steroids, etc. which is given orally. You continue to get blood tests each month to monitor your condition.
If you go just on maintenance, then you take an oral chemo pill, plus steroids to supplement the pill. This will last for a year. You need to have some bone marrow extracted so that they can see where you are at. If no cancer is contained in the marrow, then you are in remission. Treatments will stop until the cancer comes back.
Studies show that having a transplant and maintenance may provide you with 10 years of extra life. Whereas just going on maintenance alone, may provide you with 5 years of extra life. My dilemma? Having a transplant would put my body through more pain and turmoil. Still have to have maintenance, the cancer will still return. Going on just maintenance would just continue with what I all ready am doing, my body is used to this, and still, the cancer will return. Either way, the cancer comes back.
I am going to do the maintenance only. I can not see going though those extra painful steps just to gain a few more years of life, when the end result of it all doesn’t improve the chances of becoming cancer free.
EASTMNNEWSWIRE
06. Feb, 2011
You are going through so much, and that’s a decision that no one wants to have to make. My prayers are with you. I hope you have many friends that support you!
Bill
07. Feb, 2011
Hang in there as our prayers are always with you. Alice & Bill. You know I may have to make that decision one day myself since I have to see cancer doctor.
EASTMNNEWSWIRE
07. Feb, 2011
Best wishes to both of you.
~ Rose
lenore Bleifuss
07. Feb, 2011
I understand how difficult your decision has been and I add my prayers to others that God will give you strength and peace as you travel the road ahead. Bless you.
Tony
19. Mar, 2011
James, I am glad I found your article, I know how tough this decision is. I was diagnose with Stage III Multiple Myeloma in June 2010. I completed 6 cycles of Velcade / Rev / Dex, 33 radiation treatments (between femur and humerus) and started monthly Zometa in July. I live about 100 miles from Minneapolis and my oncologist is at the U of M (Masonic Cancer Center), however, I can get all my treatments at the Willmar Cancer Center. It was recommended that I do a transplant, but I made the same decision as you. I may reconsider later, but for now, I would like to at least wait. I have just started my 4th series of maintenance and am in remission and feeling good. Let me know if you have a caringbridge site – I would like to follow your progress. Email me any time. Our prayers are with you and your family.