It is multiple myeloma. But not, if I understand correctly, seriously advanced. Gonna take some more tests. Something called a "fat pad biopsy." A needleful of fat that I can readily spare! And an echocardiogram because the myeloma protein can affect the heart muscle. No present indication that it has, but better safe than sorry. That's scheduled for the 30th. Don't know when the fat pad biopsy will be.
Good news is that my potassium level is back down to acceptable, probably because of this terrible-tasting Kayexalate I've been taking. But that's been cut to twice a week rather than three times.
Treatment for the myeloma will be drugs and steroids. Drug of choice seems to be Thalidomide, but that requires taking a blood thinner along with. I'm a pretty easy "bleeder" already, so I hope something else is available. Treatment will probably last for about 6 months. Depends on effectiveness, of course.
I'm a lot less worried than I was when I first found out about this. It's not like "you've got six months!" It's treatable, and I'll just keep on keepin' on.
About Me
- Ed
- Older than dirt. Ex-Navy pilot...not even close to a Top Gun!...more years ago than I really want to remember. (Photo is of the last plane I flew...antisubmarine patrol.) Active in LCMS "politics" for 35+ years. Generally mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore.
2 comments:
Sorry to hear of you diagnosis but wishing you the best of luck. I was diagnosed with Myeloma 5 years ago and have had 2 stem cell transplants and all the associated chemo treatments. About the blood thinners. When I was taking Thalidimide there was a risk of blood clotting hence the blood thinners. I did get a clot in my calf the first time but I survived that. On my second treatment they let me take asprin instead of a prescription blood thinner. See if they will let you do that instead. It may be that with the Thal and Dex the clotting risk is greater than with Revlimid and Dex.Good Luck.
Mike
Anon,
Just got back to my blog. Thanks for your remarks.
I took Cumodin in '01 when I had an aortic valve transplant, and again in '04 when I had an arterial stent. My main compliant was going to the lab every week for the blood test!
My oncologist says she'll look into other drugs. There are new ones coming out regularly. I'm already taking 325 mg aspirin daily for my heart, so evem if the dose would be increased that would be a plus.
What's Dex...the steroid?
Ed
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