karl&myeloma

I met with Warren late in the afternoon, this time without Kathleen.

We discussed various therapies that he thought were appropriate for me in my otherwise healthy condition and being in early Stage I.

He explained that my Blood Work was really not that far off normal.

The first option was RD – Revlimid-Decadron. The advantage of this therapy is that it is entirely oral and that I could presumably continue to take these two drugs for 5 years or more as the typical response was very good and someone as healthy as me could withstand the side effects pretty easily. Having looked up the package insert for Revlimid before coming, I had to admit I was somewhat nervous about the possible side effect of DVT or Deep Vein Thrombosis. Warren said this was usually easily managed with low-dose aspirin. One issue was that sometimes therapy can cause issues with future Stem Cell Transplantation.

The second option was CyBorD – Cytoxin-Velcade-Decadron or cyclophosphamide-bortezomib-dexamethasone. The cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone are both oral tablets and the bortezomib could be given subcutaneously, inject just under the skin. Here, I would take the bortezomib on day 1, 4, 8 and 11, the dexamethosone on day 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12, and the cyclophosphamide on day 1 and 8. This, together with a week off after would constitute 1 cycle and I would need 4 cycles or so before adjusting dosing. The primary side effect on this peripheral neuropathy.

Warren explained I should be able to tolerate either well. After further discussion, I thought that the CyBorD might be better for me. Warren said that he had had a lot of experience with this therapy and that it was one of his go-to therapies, especially for someone such as me with newly diagnosed Myeloma and being in early Stage I.

Warren also said I should be on bisphosphonate therapy as a once monthly injection of Zometa. Before I could do this, I needed a clearance from my dentist. Finally, I would also need io take acyclovir to protect against a shingles attack that can happen on bortezomib therapy.

We agreed that therapy would start Monday, 4/23. He also asked whether David had ordered a 24-hour urine collection test. I said that he had not and had said that he thought that it was not as necessary now with the excellent values that could be obtained via blood tests. Warren said that he disagreed and thought it was important to do this test too because it helps to set a baseline for future assessment. So I got a prescription for this test and for the remaining drugs I would need for therapy. Included in this was a prescription for prochlorperazine for nausea.