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.
karl&myeloma 