Chemo maintenance – end of cycle 54
June 5th, 2011 marked the end of my 54th cycle of post-transplant chemotherapy. I have not been very diligent in updating my blog for these past 6 months, but there has not been much to talk about. Prognosis remains good – still in NCR, Near Complete Remission.
UofM posted a short summary of successes in its recent treatment of Multiple Myeloma, using the regimen developed in the clinical trial in which I participated. You can read about it here:
http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/newsroom/details.cfm?ID=1852
IMMUNE SYSTEM PROBLEMS
My immune system continues to be unpredictable. Sometimes the lab reports are in normal range. Other times my immune system indicators are very low – which will prompt a call from the clinic advising me to be very careful in interacting with anyone who may not be real healthy.
One of those tests showed my immune system to be extremely weak and the blood test interval was shortened to weekly while we waited to see if my body could auto-recover without medical intervention – which it did.
Recently I went to a conference and picked up a nasty bug from somewhere. Ended up down at the UofM’s ER with a temp of 101 and a diagnosis of pneumonia/bronchitis. The doc gave me a prescription for antibiotics and within a week I was well on my way to recovery. Other than that episode, and one bad cold, I have been feeling pretty good these past 6 months.
NEWS FROM MY CLINIC VISIT
Not much to report from this clinic visit. Dr. J was not there, and we met with his PA, Tara. Blood counts are good. Previous Bence-Jones urine analysis shows trace amounts of the disease in my system, but those counts are essentially unchanged for the past year.
SIDE EFFECTS
I have had two follow-up tests during these six months to assess changes in my condition that may be the result of Multiple Myeloma or the drugs being used to treat it.
The first was a hearing test. Over a year ago I had reported substantial hearing loss in my right ear. Because hearing loss is one of the reported side effects of my chemotherapy drug {although it is important to note that Revlimid-related hearing loss is almost always observed bi-laterally – both ears – rather than just loss in one ear}, Dr J ordered a follow-up exam to see if there were any chance on my hearing. No change. Good news.
The second test was an x-ray bone scan, analyzing the density of my bones to compare to an earlier scan two years ago. We know my skeletal structure is not as strong as it should be, but is it getting worse or staying the same? Again, good news. No change.
Other than that, the old side effects are still evident, and still tolerable. I tire easily. Still take my power naps regularly (maybe 1 of every 2 days); neuropathy in my feet still bothering me a little; still highly sensitive to heat and direct sunlight.
NEXT STEPS
Without any evidence suggesting any changes in my condition, Dr. J has again extended the interval for blood work to every 90 days (it had been shortened to monthly last year). My next clinic visit with Dr. J will be in early September. Check back with my blog then…
That’s the latest news from Hamburg.
-larry