Chemo maintenance – end of cycle 31
September 16th marked the end of my 31st cycle of post-transplant chemotherapy. Had blood work and visited the UofM Cancer Clinic to meet with Dr. Jakubowiak and assess my progress. Things continue to go well, with all indications that the cancer remains in “complete remission”.
No big medical news since my last posting except a follow-up on my shoulder pain. Turns out that I have Adhesive Capsulitis (aka “frozen shoulder”) – more common in post menopausal woman but also seen in chemotherapy patients. Although there are some interventions for severe cases (cortizone injections, surgery), most sports medicine docs advise you to “wait it out” – problem will go away in 12 – 18 months. So, that’s what we’re doing.
NEWS FROM MY CLINIC VISIT
This was another boring clinic visit – no changes from the previous time. My ANC counts (immune system indicator) are still below normal, but not dangerously so – they’re normal for me.
I asked Dr. J about the results of the experimental drug program in which I participated. They have not published anything yet, but an abstract has been written and submitted for publication. He thinks something may appear in a leading cancer journal as early as this December. Dr. J could not reveal any of those specific details, but shared a few things with us: 65 total subjects, 3 have had a recurrence of the disease, the rest remain in remission; many patients did not proceed with a Bone Marrow Transplant (most at UofM did, including me). Although researchers are anxious to publish results of this RVD (the chemo cocktail that I had) study, the real significant factor is the long-term survivability of the subjects. He expects those results to surface in about 5 years, and is curious about survivability statistics of Transplant vs non-Transplant patients. Me, too!
MEDICATION CHANGES
No medication changes, but with the stable blood results we’re seeing, Dr. J has extended my blood work from every 3 weeks to every 6 weeks. One fewer set of needles. Yippee!
Received a flu shot today – the regular kind of flu.
On October 6th I return to the clinic for my final set of childhood vaccinations. I’ll be glad to get those over with (5 injections at one sitting – ugh! Plus an H1N1 shot {if it’s available by then}). At that point, my immune system is supposed to be “back to normal” – or as normal as it’s going to get.
SIDE EFFECTS
Neuropathy – The same – reduced Revlimid dosage has made my feet feel better. Hardly noticeable these days.
Neutropenia – No news here. This “new me” seems stable enough to reduce the inspections (blood work) to bi-cycle (every-other revlimid chemo cycle).
NEXT STEPS
We don’t meet with Cancer Clinic staff again until December, so my next blog posting won’t be until then.
Between now and then, my new immune system will have had its second birthday. Can you believe it? – been two years already since my Bone Marrow Transplant.
That’s the latest news from Hamburg.
-larry