Such a positive report, Chad! Glad to hear things are going so well. Your experience is almost exactly like my husband's, to the day, even up to when he returned to work part-time. He also feels the stem cell transplant was "totally and completely" worth it, and we are thrilled with the minimal residual disease (MRD) negative results.
Enjoy the new year and new "birthday"!
Forums
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texgal79 - Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Chad, glad to hear you are doing well.
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dogmom - Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Hello Chad,
I apologize it's been quite some time since I've posted. I've had my hands full with kids and working part time myself. Chad, your message offering any assistance was SO SWEET and I pray you are doing well.
Glad to hear you were doing well in your last post Chad and what was the results after your two week follow-up?
Once again I'd like to thank you Chad and everyone else giving your experiences as it is so helpful navigating this disease!
Amy
I apologize it's been quite some time since I've posted. I've had my hands full with kids and working part time myself. Chad, your message offering any assistance was SO SWEET and I pray you are doing well.
Glad to hear you were doing well in your last post Chad and what was the results after your two week follow-up?
Once again I'd like to thank you Chad and everyone else giving your experiences as it is so helpful navigating this disease!
Amy
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AZ mom - Name: Amy
- Who do you know with myeloma?: spouse
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Oct 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 46
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Thank you for documenting your journey. We are 3/4 done with treatment and looking ahead to transplant. I really appreciate being able to read your (and others') stories about what you experienced. I'm hopeful and terrified at the same time, but information and knowledge are power, so Thank You and take care.
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Calal
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
I'm now at Day +96 and I'm typing this from the beach in Hawaii. I was told I could travel again at Day 100, so I got a few days' jump start on that! I was progressing so well after the transplant that my specialist moved up my bone marrow biopsy to Day +60. I got the results back and am told that I am in complete remission.
The doctor is putting me back on the Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone therapy (at a lower dose) for another 4 months to "pound the myeloma into the ground" in the hopes that it will never come back. I was surprised that he used the words "I think we can cure you," as I have always thought of myeloma as an incurable chronic disease. I have been back to work since about Day +35 and have been living my completely normal pre-myeloma life for the last month or so.
I know that this is still a dreadful and deadly disease for so many and that I have had a charmed experience. For many of us, though, it is a very treatable disease and there are reasons to be very positive for the future. My prayers (I really believe in them!) are still with those I have followed on The Beacon these past few months.
The doctor is putting me back on the Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone therapy (at a lower dose) for another 4 months to "pound the myeloma into the ground" in the hopes that it will never come back. I was surprised that he used the words "I think we can cure you," as I have always thought of myeloma as an incurable chronic disease. I have been back to work since about Day +35 and have been living my completely normal pre-myeloma life for the last month or so.
I know that this is still a dreadful and deadly disease for so many and that I have had a charmed experience. For many of us, though, it is a very treatable disease and there are reasons to be very positive for the future. My prayers (I really believe in them!) are still with those I have followed on The Beacon these past few months.
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chadsnow - Name: Chad Snow
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 19, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Chadsnow,
Congratulations on the extreme positive outlook and success of your journey. I feel sure your support and beliefs have aided your awesome recovery. Soak up some salt air and sun for all n this battle. You are a hero! Continued blessings to you and your family.
Congratulations on the extreme positive outlook and success of your journey. I feel sure your support and beliefs have aided your awesome recovery. Soak up some salt air and sun for all n this battle. You are a hero! Continued blessings to you and your family.
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Hopeful1 - Name: Hopeful1
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Hello Chad,
Thank you for updating. I am delighted you are doing so well and that you might even be cured. It gives a lot of hope to those of us who or whose loved ones are undergoing treatment now.
I wish you a very bright future.
Thank you for updating. I am delighted you are doing so well and that you might even be cured. It gives a lot of hope to those of us who or whose loved ones are undergoing treatment now.
I wish you a very bright future.
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Gala - Name: Gala
- Who do you know with myeloma?: sister, LgA-k
- When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 48
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Chad,
That is such awesome news. I'm so thankful that you are doing so well. I will continue to pray for your continued recovery and remission.
As you know, my husband went through his first transplant during the same time and had a similar recovery. However, he is going through a second transplant. His doctors feel that this gives him a better chance for a longer remission/cure. (I was quite surprised to hear our doctor talk about a cure as well.) Prior to my husband's second transplant, all of his numbers looked extremely well. I don't think he had enough time in between transplants to determine if he's in remission, but the doctors were quite pleased with his progress and indicate they think he's headed that way.
So we are back on the road to recovery after transplant and he's going through the same side effects as last time but knowing what to expect helps. He's at Day +6 so he's in that not feeling too great stage, but he started to feel a bit better yesterday, but he's still tired as his counts are starting to drop. We hope by mid to late next week we will be headed home.
I will keep you posted on our progress.
That is such awesome news. I'm so thankful that you are doing so well. I will continue to pray for your continued recovery and remission.
As you know, my husband went through his first transplant during the same time and had a similar recovery. However, he is going through a second transplant. His doctors feel that this gives him a better chance for a longer remission/cure. (I was quite surprised to hear our doctor talk about a cure as well.) Prior to my husband's second transplant, all of his numbers looked extremely well. I don't think he had enough time in between transplants to determine if he's in remission, but the doctors were quite pleased with his progress and indicate they think he's headed that way.
So we are back on the road to recovery after transplant and he's going through the same side effects as last time but knowing what to expect helps. He's at Day +6 so he's in that not feeling too great stage, but he started to feel a bit better yesterday, but he's still tired as his counts are starting to drop. We hope by mid to late next week we will be headed home.
I will keep you posted on our progress.
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TCG - Name: Tara
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Chad,
That's such wonderful news! Congratulations. I feel it gives us all some hope.
My husband is currently undergoing an outpatient transplant - Day +5. His WBC is down to 0.13. He's pretty tired, but really feeling remarkably well all things considered. Hoping it continues to go smoothly.
It really helped me reading your account as well as Mark's and a few other folks. As a caregiver, the thought of an outpatient transplant can be overwhelming and downright scary. Again, having read your story helped calm my nerves. Thanks.
Glad you are in beautiful Hawaii soaking up the sun! Such a great place for R&R.
That's such wonderful news! Congratulations. I feel it gives us all some hope.
My husband is currently undergoing an outpatient transplant - Day +5. His WBC is down to 0.13. He's pretty tired, but really feeling remarkably well all things considered. Hoping it continues to go smoothly.
It really helped me reading your account as well as Mark's and a few other folks. As a caregiver, the thought of an outpatient transplant can be overwhelming and downright scary. Again, having read your story helped calm my nerves. Thanks.
Glad you are in beautiful Hawaii soaking up the sun! Such a great place for R&R.
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Swimmom - Name: Swimmom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 20, 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Chad's Autologous Stem Cell Transplant Journal
Really great news, Chad. Aloha
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Mark Pouley - Name: Mark
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 53
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