My background briefly: I was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes last fall and elevated protein was noticed in my urine. After referral to a kidney specialist, tests showed my kidneys are functioning as they are supposed to, but testing showed that the prominent protein is complexed IgG Kappa heavy chain.
After nearly three weeks of waiting, my initial visit to a hematologist is finally coming up. There's certainly dread at what I might find out, but also a desire to get answers as soon as possible.
What can I expect at this first visit? Do they typically do a bone marrow biopsy as part of this initial visit, or is it scheduled out days or weeks? How quickly do the results come back from a biopsy?
I'm not sure I can handle having to wait multiple more weeks to find out what's going on.
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Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
Hi Motown Kiko,
So far, one of the absolute worst times in EJ's multiple myeloma journey was the path to his initial diagnosis! The not knowing/not really understanding what is happening was very frightening, but thankfully once we got into see the oncologist, things fell into place very quickly.
To try and answer your question, you may need to have additional blood tests (depending on what you have already have had done), a full skeletal x-ray, 24-hour urine and a bone marrow biopsy. EJ had the BMB done the first day he saw the hematologist. The rest of the tests he got done within a week, and the results within a few days after that.
EJ was not able to start treatment until 5-6 weeks after his diagnosis because he needed time to heal from surgery (which is how they discovered the multiple myeloma). Thankfully, multiple myeloma is usually a slow moving disease so you have time.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Lyn
So far, one of the absolute worst times in EJ's multiple myeloma journey was the path to his initial diagnosis! The not knowing/not really understanding what is happening was very frightening, but thankfully once we got into see the oncologist, things fell into place very quickly.
To try and answer your question, you may need to have additional blood tests (depending on what you have already have had done), a full skeletal x-ray, 24-hour urine and a bone marrow biopsy. EJ had the BMB done the first day he saw the hematologist. The rest of the tests he got done within a week, and the results within a few days after that.
EJ was not able to start treatment until 5-6 weeks after his diagnosis because he needed time to heal from surgery (which is how they discovered the multiple myeloma). Thankfully, multiple myeloma is usually a slow moving disease so you have time.
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Lyn
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Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
Hi Motown Kiko. I did not have a bone marrow during my first visit to the oncologist. Instead, he ordered more blood work.
Please take someone with you. I went by myself during the first visit, and I was so upset I missed half of what my oncologist said. After that, I took someone with me, which my oncologist encouraged. We both took notes and compared them later to make sure we didn't miss anything. Once I underwent treatment and got to remission, I went by myself.
Please take someone with you. I went by myself during the first visit, and I was so upset I missed half of what my oncologist said. After that, I took someone with me, which my oncologist encouraged. We both took notes and compared them later to make sure we didn't miss anything. Once I underwent treatment and got to remission, I went by myself.
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darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
I went to my hematologist/oncologist to check out slight anemia found in my annual physical exam with my family doctor. After my hematologist did some blood tests on the first appointment I found out during my 2nd appointment a week later that I had an elevated monoclonal protein in my blood. At that time my doctor explained to me that I probably had multiple myeloma and that I would have to have a BMB. He gave me the choice as to have it done right away or schedule it for later. Since I didn't want to have to think about it for long I had it done right away. So I'm guessing that if your hematologist thinks you might have multiple myeloma based on the blood tests available to him, he'll probably want you to have the BMB as soon as possible.
After I had the BMB, it took about a week to get those results back.
After I had the BMB, it took about a week to get those results back.
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DallasGG - Name: Kent
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 6/20/2013
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
At my first visit to the hematologist/oncologist he went over the blood work that I had already had done by my PCP that brought me to the specialist. He ordered all of those tests to be done again and also a battery of other tests needed for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma. He also ordered the 24 hour urine test and skeletal x-rays. When I went back for the results of all of those tests a week later he said that he would need to do a bone marrow biopsy based on what all of the tests were showing. He did the biopsy right then. I had to wait 2 weeks to get an appointment for the results of the biopsy. Once I got those results and he went over everything with me and the likely treatment plan, I decided to go see someone who specialized in multiple myeloma. Since I worked for a health system with a cancer center and a well respected multiple myeloma program, I chose a doctor from that cancer center.
Good luck with all of your testing. Take a deep breath. Once the diagnosis is made life is a little more liveable. You may, or may not, need to start treatment now based on the results of all of your tests.
Nancy in Phila
Good luck with all of your testing. Take a deep breath. Once the diagnosis is made life is a little more liveable. You may, or may not, need to start treatment now based on the results of all of your tests.
Nancy in Phila
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NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
Hi
Was diagnosed in April of 2012. first visit to oncologist was to go over blood work that my gp did. From there was sent for full x-rays then nuclear scan, then MRI's and a PET scan. Was not done with tests until June the Bone marrow Biopsy was the last thing to be done results were back within a week and I was put on Revlimid, Dex and Velcade. Was in remission by Dec., He took me off all meds to get me ready for Stem Cell Harvest., which was done in April of this year. Am now back on Rev/dex meds. My next appointment is in Dec for another bone marrow Biopsy to seer if I am still in remission.
Was diagnosed in April of 2012. first visit to oncologist was to go over blood work that my gp did. From there was sent for full x-rays then nuclear scan, then MRI's and a PET scan. Was not done with tests until June the Bone marrow Biopsy was the last thing to be done results were back within a week and I was put on Revlimid, Dex and Velcade. Was in remission by Dec., He took me off all meds to get me ready for Stem Cell Harvest., which was done in April of this year. Am now back on Rev/dex meds. My next appointment is in Dec for another bone marrow Biopsy to seer if I am still in remission.
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morrow1022
Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
The bone marrow biopsy is going to hurt a lot but it probably will not be the worst pain you have had in your life time, it is probably comparable to getting wisdom teeth pulled but the procedure does not take long and the pain goes away as soon as it is over, at least it did for me.
Mine was done about two days after my first visit with my oncologist. In my case the first two taps into my hip came up “dry” and it was not until the third tap that a good sample was obtained. Three biopsy attempts on my first visit. Normally having a procedure like that would give me a bit of anxiety but it really was the least of my concerns at the time.
Like you and I believe many others the initial period after first meeting the oncologist and being presented with the possibility of having a terminal cancer was at the forefront of my mind. When the doctor told me he was going to have to take a second and then third attempt I gritted my teeth and said get it done. I wanted answers. Waiting for them was stressful.
This is one of the worst periods of time when not knowing and still in a bit of shock about how the world was being turned upside down in just a week. I had a follow up appointment to go over the results with my oncologist just a little over a week after the biopsy. I never made it to that appointment, three days later I went to the ER and was admitted to the hospital for kidney failure from high blood calcium and that is when I learned I had myeloma for sure. My kidneys recovered.
Over a year later I obtained a copy of my medical records and from reading the doctors notes I saw that even before the biopsy my oncologist knew from my lab work that I almost certainly had myeloma or another blood cancer I do not remember but was equally as bad but had not told me yet. I guess he wanted the biopsy to final confirmation which is probably the responsible thing to do.
Mine was done about two days after my first visit with my oncologist. In my case the first two taps into my hip came up “dry” and it was not until the third tap that a good sample was obtained. Three biopsy attempts on my first visit. Normally having a procedure like that would give me a bit of anxiety but it really was the least of my concerns at the time.
Like you and I believe many others the initial period after first meeting the oncologist and being presented with the possibility of having a terminal cancer was at the forefront of my mind. When the doctor told me he was going to have to take a second and then third attempt I gritted my teeth and said get it done. I wanted answers. Waiting for them was stressful.
This is one of the worst periods of time when not knowing and still in a bit of shock about how the world was being turned upside down in just a week. I had a follow up appointment to go over the results with my oncologist just a little over a week after the biopsy. I never made it to that appointment, three days later I went to the ER and was admitted to the hospital for kidney failure from high blood calcium and that is when I learned I had myeloma for sure. My kidneys recovered.
Over a year later I obtained a copy of my medical records and from reading the doctors notes I saw that even before the biopsy my oncologist knew from my lab work that I almost certainly had myeloma or another blood cancer I do not remember but was equally as bad but had not told me yet. I guess he wanted the biopsy to final confirmation which is probably the responsible thing to do.
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Eric Hofacket - Name: Eric H
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 01 April 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 44
Re: Bone marrow biopsy at initial hematologist visit?
I started my journey at the beginning of August. My oncologist doesn't do things quickly. She first redid initial blood work. Next visit has me do a full body X-RAY and then another visit a MRI. Then after those results scheduled a bone marrow biopsy. Then I wait two weeks for results. So now I am towards the end of September and she is finally ready to officially say I have multiple myeloma. I have been very frustrated at the slow pace but try remain patient and learn as much as I can in the meantime. I requested a second opinion because I felt a specialist should be consulted. That will be a November 13 trip to Seattle. More waiting. So I think a lot of this depends on how much your doctor has time for. I haven't been real thrilled with my oncologist. I did not find the biopsy to be real difficult. Best of luck, here's to hoping you get results sooner than later.
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kjpoppit - Name: Kim Nelson
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Sept. 19th, 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 47
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