karl&myeloma

One man's experience with multiple myeloma

Tag: Relapse

July 21, 2015

July 20, 2016

Today is ASCT + 643. 

I had my 4th course of therapy today, Kyprolis 35 mg and Decadron 10 mg. I blessed these meds for my use, praying that they reach every cancer cell and kill it. 

I’ll have my 5th and final course tomorrow of this therapy set. Yes, it’s normally 6, but I had to miss Tuesday last week to travel on business. 

So far all has been typical with side effects – lack of sleep on nights after infusions and water retention that goes away with lots of urinating on Thursday – Saturday when I return to my previous weight. 

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

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July 6, 2015

July 6, 2015

Today is ASCT + 629 days. 

Today I had my first infusion since August of 2013. The drugs were Kyprolis (carfilzomib) 37 mg and Decadron (dexamethasone) 10 mg. This started about 2:30 pm and ended an hour later. At the suggestion of Fr. Nigel Mumford, a person well known in healing circles, I prayed over the drugs given to me with a prayer I wrote:  

Bless, O Lord this medicine for my use, and me to your loving service. May this medicine enter my body and do all the things it is supposed to do and not cause any unwanted side effects. May it reach every single cancerous cell in my body and kill it. I pray also that you, Lord Jesus, the great physician, replace all those killed cells, with new healthy cells, and restore me to the person you intended me to be. Thank you, Lord Jesus. Amen. 

I used it with each of the two drugs I received. There is no doubt in my mind that healing is going on. After I had been hooked up to the IV, the nurse took my vitals and my blood pressure was 105/57!  Another nurse said that I must be a really cool customer. 

This is how it goes when we have full confidence and trust in our Heavenly Father. 

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

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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.  

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