Stan,
I have had a similar experience and have been in remission for 4 years without the SCT. I was diagonsed as stage II back in Feb of 2009. I am still on maintenance with Velcade shot once every 2 weeks along with 12 mg of Dex orrally that I take at the same time.
However, remission is not cure. My bone marrow is not healthy and I do get IVIG infusions once a month.
I made a decision not to go with the SCT and am not looking back. I don't believe my results would have been any better with and SCT and I would have missed alot of work if I chose that path. I am very active and can get on with my life with minimal disruption thus far.
Mark has pointed out that doner based stem cell transplants offer the best chance for "cure" and he chose and was successful with that. He is not on any maintenance and is doing real well showing no signs of the disease. That option is however, highly risky, with a 20% mortality rate. Too risky to be considered as a recommended method by most doctors. It is much more aggressive than even the double transplants done by City of Hope. So doner based transplants are the other most aggressive option that offer a chance for "cure".
I take comfort in the fact that more and more drugs are being developed to fight this disease.
If and when I should relapse, I will have available to me several options. So I remain optomistic and satisfied that for me, I made the right decision.
Ron
Forums
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Ron Harvot - Name: Ron Harvot
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Berenson 5 Year OS Data Superior to UAMS
Ron,
I understand it's being stable that we want.
I'm hoping that, because I have none of the CRAB symptoms, I could remain stable for a while without issues. That's all I'm asking for.
I understand it's being stable that we want.
I'm hoping that, because I have none of the CRAB symptoms, I could remain stable for a while without issues. That's all I'm asking for.
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Stan W. - Name: Stan
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: SMM-April 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Berenson 5 Year OS Data Superior to UAMS
Hello,
Can anyone tell me if they are a patient of Dr. Berenson who was diagnosed stage 3 with chromosome 17 deletion and other genetic high risk features who have not had a SCT. Please let me know.
Thank You,
Can anyone tell me if they are a patient of Dr. Berenson who was diagnosed stage 3 with chromosome 17 deletion and other genetic high risk features who have not had a SCT. Please let me know.
Thank You,
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Debbie W - Name: Debbie w
- Who do you know with myeloma?: mom
- When were you/they diagnosed?: june 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 71
43 posts
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