karl&myeloma

One man's experience with multiple myeloma

Tag: Bone Marrow Biopsy

September 20, 2015

September 20, 2015

Today is ASCT +705 days, and yes I know it’s been 2 full months since I last posted.  I’m sorry.

This week I will complete my 3rd cycle of Kyprolis on Monday and Tuesday.  So far, so good.

After my second cycle ended in August, my results have continued to come down.  My M-Spike is now 0.46 less than half its June value.  I am now in normal range of IgG, and my Free Light Chain ratio as also been coming down.  My last bone marrow biopsy in June showed total malignant cells at only 6% (less than 5% is considered a complete response if all other values are in their normal ranges.  In short then, I have a low grade disease which is well on its way to being a complete response once again.  This time, I’ll likely continue on a formal maintenance program, most likely (as I can see it now) taking Kyprolis on a reduced schedule.   More blood work next week to see how I have fared after this 3rd cycle.

Getting a needle inserted into one of my veins is becoming increasingly difficult.  I have communicated with Warren that perhaps a port will be better for me now.  It is likely that I’ll be on Kyprolis for some time, especially if I continue with it in a maintenance situation.  Ports, these days, are quire wonderful things and totally unlike the one I needed for my ASCT.  The kind of port I would get would be placed under the skin of my upper chest on one side.  To access it, a nurse feels for the septum under the skin and uses a special needed that goes through my skin and into the port through the septum.  Much less painful than sticking even a 24 gauge needle into a vein.  If I don’t use it for some time, it only needs to be flushed with heparin to insure it has not clogged, once a month.  I’ll get you details when this occurs.

Thank you for being patient with me.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for my healing and for all the healing received by those for whom we pray.  Amen.

2 Comments
July 1, 2015

July 1, 2015

Today is ASCT + 623 days.  

I had my meeting with Warren today to get my results.  

The very good news is that my cytogenetics are unchanged.  In cytogenetic testing, my DNA is evaluated to see whether there any abnormalities that might cause me to be in a higher risk category – so no change is very good news.  Also the amount of abnormal cells in my bone marrow is only 6%.  If I recall correctly, my level 2 years ago was about 40%; so this is a huge improvement.  

Yes, my M-Spike (or abnormal protein level) is 1.01 (it should be not detected) and my free light chains and immunoglobulins are also up.  In a nutshell, I go back onto therapy.  Technically then, this is my third relapse overall and the first since my ASCT in October 2013.  I think I’m doing well.  

On Monday, July 6th, I will start Kyprolis (carfilzomib) and dexamethasone for 2 days (Monday and Tuesday) for three weeks and then have a week off.  Both drugs will be given by infusion over about 3 hours in the afternoon.  In the summer of 2013, I was on these medications, plus one other and I tolerated the regimen very well.  I expect the same this time.  

On July 29th, I will meet with Warren again for a fresh set of blood draws to see the effect of my therapy.  
Overall, l am quite upbeat about this.  As of today, there is no cure for myeloma.  The trick is then to keep me alive long enough for a true cure to come about.  In the meantime, there a several new therapies that I have not even tried yet.  So I have a lot of arrows in my quiver yet with which to continue the fight whenever it may happen that the therapy I start on Monday is no longer working.  

Thank you for your continuing support, prayers, and love.  

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for my healing and for all the healing received by those for whom I pray.  

Amen.  

Leave a comment