Probably most of those reading these words know that a bit over 3 years ago my wife Leaves on the Current was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. After extensive chemo & radiation, followed by an autologous stem cell transplant, she was told she was in remission. However, since the disease is not yet curable, she stayed on a low-dosage of chemo in the hopes of keeping it knocked back.
Allow me share, slighted edited, an email she sent out yesterday:
I had a routine PET scan earlier this week to check for cancerous activity in my bones, & got the results from my oncologist, Dr. R….., this morning. The PET scan showed a "slight" amount of cancerous activity starting up again in my spine, but my spine was so damaged by the time I was diagnosed that Dr. R. doesn't want to take any chances of additional damage. So I'm having a bone-marrow biopsy next week to give us more specific info & then starting another round of chemo on the 15th. Dr. R…. stressed that this development is to be expected, that we've caught it early, and that she's "not pessimistic" about my situation. She also said the long-term prognosis for myeloma has now been changed drastically by the 3 "incredible" new drugs that were just approved at the end of last year (none of which I need at this point). I responded so well to my first course of chemo that she wants to do the exact same treatment this time-- Velcade, Revlimid, Dexamethisone-- plus an antibiotic & an antiviral that are now considered standard for patients on this regimen. As before, I'll be on the regimen for about 6 months. I'm disappointed but not devastated by this news, and hope that this round of chemo will be as easy & effective as last time. Thank you so much for your prayers, & please continue them! Love,As I wrote when I first informed people, we will be grateful for the support people choose to offer, whether prayers, or as Quakers like me do, holding us BOTH in the light.
We knew this could happen. It is a challenge. We have a positive mindset going forward.
Thanks for listening.
Peace