On 04 September 2000 I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma after diving in a pool and breaking my left arm (humerus) in two places strictly from the concussion of the hand hitting the water. i did not hit the sides, bottom, or anyone – just the water. I was taken to the local hospital and diagnosed with multiple myeloma by my local orthopedic surgeon and sent to Vanderbilt University Medical Center / Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
08-13 September 2000 - My arm was repaired by removing the 2 inch tumor (plasmacytoma) and replacing it with cement, a titanium bar, and twelve screws.
2 October - 13 October 2000 - Two weeks of radiation
13 October 2000 - 28 February 2014 - For 13.5 years I had blood work every 3 or 6 months depending on how high or low my M-spike was.
November 2013 - I was scheduled for a 3 month blood work, to be drawn on 24 February 2014, after the November lab showed the M-spike rising.
04 March 2014 - Received a call that my M-spike had gone above the trigger level of 1.0 to 1.6 and I should have a PET scan, bone marrow aspiration, and start treatment as soon as possible.
11 March 2014 - PET scan showed lesions that appeared to be active myeloma on my sternum, sacrum, spine and upper right leg
14 March 2014 - Bone marrow aspiration completed with no bone marrow involvement. Treatment will start on 24 March.
24 March - 26 June 2014 - I was on a 14 day on, 14 day off treatment schedule. I took Revlimid orally for 14 days; Zometa on Day #1; Velcade accompanied with dexamethasone on Day #1, #4, #8 and #11. This lasted for 4 cycles and a stem cell transplant was scheduled for September.
02 July - 28 August 2014 - Dental exams, 4 visits; oral surgery 4 appointments; root canal 5 visits; eye exams 6 visits; ultrasound of my heart; another bone marrow aspiration; blood work; CT scan of my kidneys.
21 August 2014 - Hickman trifusion central venous catheter surgically implanted.
24 August 2014 - Cytoxan infusion
25 August - 3 Sept 2014 - Neupogen, 3 shots daily for 10 days.
01 September - 4 September 2014 - Transplant ICU at Vanderbilt. Fever above 100.4 F (38.0 C)
03 September 2014 - Apheresis lab for Stem Cell harvest.
09 September 2014 - Day ZERO of stem cell transplant, placed in isolation at apartment and daily clinics at hematology infusion lab, until
22 September - 01 October 2014 - Transplant ICU again. Fever went up to 101.5 F (38.6 C); ended up with Clostridium difficile colitis. Released from ICU but returned to isolation at the apartment.
24 October 2014 - Released to go home. Small mass on my kidney was identified.
12 November 2014 - Noticed on the way home I couldn't read the large interstate signs very fuzzy. Diagnosed with cataracts that had grown to a critical state during the chemotherapy treatments. Cataract surgery will be scheduled.
18 November 2014 - CT with contrast on kidneys.
09 December 2014 - Cataract surgery, right eye
15 December 2014 - Advised that I should start maintenance treatment on 30 December 2014 and they would continue for 2 years occurring every 14 days. This was totally unexpected.
23 December 2014 - Cataract surgery, left eye.
30 December 2014 - Present: Maintenance treatment every other week which consists of the following:
Treatment A - Blood work, doctor visit,iInfusion (Zofran, Zometa, Velcade)
Treatment B - Infusion (Zofran and Velcade)
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kwsyler - Name: Kevin Syler
- Who do you know with myeloma?: I have been diagnosed
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 04 September 2000
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: My diagnosis & treatment since September 2000
Hello, kwsyler! It is so marvelous that you have been successfully fighting off the myeloma for some sixteen years! I am in awe.
I am wondering what was done about the small mass that was observed on your kidney? Was it related to your myeloma?
Also, what kind of myeloma do you have that would result in a maintenance program of Velcade and Zometa? (I, too, am on such a maintenance program, but have not found too many others who are and so I am curious.)
What was your therapy protocol during the 13.5 year period you describe?
I am wondering what was done about the small mass that was observed on your kidney? Was it related to your myeloma?
Also, what kind of myeloma do you have that would result in a maintenance program of Velcade and Zometa? (I, too, am on such a maintenance program, but have not found too many others who are and so I am curious.)
What was your therapy protocol during the 13.5 year period you describe?
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