I was diagnosed with IgG lambda multiple myeloma ISS-R stage 2 (MM) in March of this year, at age 62. I'm responding well to treatment and have an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) planned for mid-to-late September. The myeloma was found because of high total protein in my routine bloodwork in February, when my primary care doctor ordered follow-up testing. I had no symptoms, and no CRAB features, but my bone marrow was 80% involved (no tumors or lesions). I'm thankful my organs and actual bones were not damaged. In addition to asking my doctors lots of questions, I have read everything I could find from reputable sources such as Blood Cancer United, other advocacy and research organizations, and medical journals in an effort to understand what I am facing. My family and friends have been loving and supportive, and I couldn't ask for more. My husband is here for me, and I'm so thankful he is.
My treatment plan is six three-week cycles of DVRd (daratumumab, Velcade®, Revlimid®, and Dexamethasone®) with IV Zometa® every four weeks. After dosage adjustments due to initial side effects, I'm able to tolerate this regimen well. I am dealing with fatigue a lot but making it through okay. After the treatment cycles end in late July, my doctors will retest me and restage the disease in preparation for the ASCT. Finding out I had blood cancer was a terrifying surprise, but I committed myself to treatment, and I accepted the reality. However, the ASCT scares me because the high-dose chemo used in it will kill off my bone marrow in preparation for the transplant to regrow the marrow from scratch. My immune system will have to regenerate from zero. I know the prognosis is excellent, but I actually have to get through the hard part. Once I do, the progression-free survival rate increases dramatically, which is everything I could hope for.
Myeloma is incurable, but medical science gets closer every day to a functional cure. It's a treatable chronic disease, and remission may last a long time. If relapse occurs, there are additional treatment options. Myeloma is no longer a death sentence thanks to recent major advances in targeted treatment options. It brings me hope.
Julie
IgG lambda multiple myeloma ISS-R
