Started treatment with Velcade for my multiple myeloma after my recent gum cancer surgery. Just finished my first cycle of Velcade (shots). Not using a steroid with Velcade. Have had good results so far.
My gum cancer surgery was about 4 months ago and I recently had a recurrence of gum cancer. My hematologist / oncologist has suggested that I try immunotherapy, which would address the gum cancer as well as my multiple myeloma.
Has anyone else fought two cancers at once?
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Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Hi Marilyn,
Yes, I am fighting two (or three) cancers at once. I have been diagnosed with myeloma with translocation t(4;14). I am just about to start cycle 4 of my cyclophosphamide, Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (CyBorD treatment plan. So far, treatment is working quite well.
I also suffer with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL), a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. I may also have a T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder which looks like large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (LGLL). Both my HCL and LGLL have plagued me for the last ten years. The onset of my myeloma is recent with me, being diagnosed in June 2016. Myeloma is the really bad guy in this gang of three.
In a few days I will be seeing a physician at my local bone marrow transplant clinic and we will be discussing the issue of fighting two (or more) cancers via a bone marrow transplant. I am hoping that it could be a case of “two birds with one stone.” But I am not really sure at all. In any event I will have to make a decision about having a stem transplant.
In recent years I have had a terrible time with very low neutrophil counts and very low hemoglobin levels. I had become transfusion dependent requiring three units of red blood cells every three weeks. Even that level of transfusion was proving to be too little and I was about to be switched to three units every two weeks when a bone marrow biopsy showed that I had developed myeloma. Fortunately, my CyBorD treatment seems to have had the good result of increasing my red blood cell counts. I actually have more strength now that I can consistently get my hemoglobin level up to 90 g/L through transfusions. My neutrophil counts remain awful.
I wish you luck with your treatment plan,
Joe
Yes, I am fighting two (or three) cancers at once. I have been diagnosed with myeloma with translocation t(4;14). I am just about to start cycle 4 of my cyclophosphamide, Velcade (bortezomib), and dexamethasone (CyBorD treatment plan. So far, treatment is working quite well.
I also suffer with hairy cell leukaemia (HCL), a B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder. I may also have a T-cell lymphoproliferative disorder which looks like large granular lymphocytic leukaemia (LGLL). Both my HCL and LGLL have plagued me for the last ten years. The onset of my myeloma is recent with me, being diagnosed in June 2016. Myeloma is the really bad guy in this gang of three.
In a few days I will be seeing a physician at my local bone marrow transplant clinic and we will be discussing the issue of fighting two (or more) cancers via a bone marrow transplant. I am hoping that it could be a case of “two birds with one stone.” But I am not really sure at all. In any event I will have to make a decision about having a stem transplant.
In recent years I have had a terrible time with very low neutrophil counts and very low hemoglobin levels. I had become transfusion dependent requiring three units of red blood cells every three weeks. Even that level of transfusion was proving to be too little and I was about to be switched to three units every two weeks when a bone marrow biopsy showed that I had developed myeloma. Fortunately, my CyBorD treatment seems to have had the good result of increasing my red blood cell counts. I actually have more strength now that I can consistently get my hemoglobin level up to 90 g/L through transfusions. My neutrophil counts remain awful.
I wish you luck with your treatment plan,
Joe
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Wobbles - Name: Joe
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Joe,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Best of luck to you!
I forgot to mention that I had one blood transfusion that really helped my anemia. I also seem to be responding well to Velcade treatments.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. Best of luck to you!
I forgot to mention that I had one blood transfusion that really helped my anemia. I also seem to be responding well to Velcade treatments.
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Marilyn,
I too am fighting 2 cancers. Multiple myeloma for 12 years, and the last 2 years prostate cancer. Had operation, but recently PSA started climbing again. They have me on Lupron (leuprolide) shots; kind of rough as they give me hot and cold flashes. But so far it has been keeping the PSA reading down.
Good luck on your treatment .
I too am fighting 2 cancers. Multiple myeloma for 12 years, and the last 2 years prostate cancer. Had operation, but recently PSA started climbing again. They have me on Lupron (leuprolide) shots; kind of rough as they give me hot and cold flashes. But so far it has been keeping the PSA reading down.
Good luck on your treatment .
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Nipon Ginko - Name: Nipon Ginko
- Who do you know with myeloma?: ME
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2004
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
I, too, am now dealing with two cancers. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2008, started treatment in 2009, had a stem cell transplant in 2010, and relapsed in 2012. I have been taking Revlimid and dex since the relapse, at varying doses depending on the side effects I was experiencing.
On October 10 while waiting to see my oncologist for my regular 6 week appointment the nurse practitioner told me that my blood levels were quite low that day and that they had to rerun them to make sure they were correct. By the time the oncologist came into the office, I had a raging fever. He took one look at me and one look at my blood test results and said that he was having me admitted to the hospital right away.
So, a week of tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, and I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). I am still in the hospital because chemotherapy was started immediately and brought my blood levels down even lower, if that was possible. They were beginning to recover nicely and now the second phase of the chemo was started last night. I will be in the hospital probably through this weekend - 4 weeks - UGH.
I asked my oncologist what about treating the myeloma. He said that the drugs that they're giving me for the leukemia will also be effective in treating the myeloma. I'm being given Cytoxan, methotrexate, Rituxan (rituximab), cytarabine, dexamethasone, and a bunch of things to protect my kidneys and bladder from the chemos. The doses that I'm getting are much reduced from the normal doses. So far my only side effects have been fatigue and slight nausea on 2 days during the first part of the treatment.
It's a bummer to have 2 blood cancers, but at least I crashed in the right place at the right time to be diagnosed quickly and treatment to also start quickly. I am treated at Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They have a great myeloma team who also treat other blood cancers. So, I can retain my current oncologist for both cancers. That makes me feel more secure about the treatment that I'm getting.
I hope this helps some. Since you have two very different cancers, it is important that both of your oncologists are working together as far as treatment of each cancer. I wish you well and that you come through all of this well.
Nancy in Phila
On October 10 while waiting to see my oncologist for my regular 6 week appointment the nurse practitioner told me that my blood levels were quite low that day and that they had to rerun them to make sure they were correct. By the time the oncologist came into the office, I had a raging fever. He took one look at me and one look at my blood test results and said that he was having me admitted to the hospital right away.
So, a week of tests, including a bone marrow biopsy, and I was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL). I am still in the hospital because chemotherapy was started immediately and brought my blood levels down even lower, if that was possible. They were beginning to recover nicely and now the second phase of the chemo was started last night. I will be in the hospital probably through this weekend - 4 weeks - UGH.
I asked my oncologist what about treating the myeloma. He said that the drugs that they're giving me for the leukemia will also be effective in treating the myeloma. I'm being given Cytoxan, methotrexate, Rituxan (rituximab), cytarabine, dexamethasone, and a bunch of things to protect my kidneys and bladder from the chemos. The doses that I'm getting are much reduced from the normal doses. So far my only side effects have been fatigue and slight nausea on 2 days during the first part of the treatment.
It's a bummer to have 2 blood cancers, but at least I crashed in the right place at the right time to be diagnosed quickly and treatment to also start quickly. I am treated at Abramson Cancer Center at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. They have a great myeloma team who also treat other blood cancers. So, I can retain my current oncologist for both cancers. That makes me feel more secure about the treatment that I'm getting.
I hope this helps some. Since you have two very different cancers, it is important that both of your oncologists are working together as far as treatment of each cancer. I wish you well and that you come through all of this well.
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: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Sorry to hear, Nancy. Hopefully they can release you from the hospital soon. Best of luck.
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Little Monkey - Name: Little Monkey
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Father-stage 1 multiple myeloma
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March/April of 2015
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
This is sad that so many must battle more than one cancer! I hope all are doing well, with good care, and I am hoping for all of you that things will turn out well. I am having my own issue with a secondary cancer, and it seems that everyone is unique in what they have been diagnosed with. Best, Nancy
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Hello Nancy:
I am very upset to hear that you have a second blood cancer to deal with. Although I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, obviously you are a very positive, friendly, and hopeful person, and have taken the effort to guide and support many others in the multiple myeloma community. I have said a quick prayer that you deal as well with your new challenges as you have done with your previous challenges. Good luck and best wishes to you. Regards, JPC
P.S. - And the same sentiments to all in the same boat.
I am very upset to hear that you have a second blood cancer to deal with. Although I have not had the pleasure of meeting you, obviously you are a very positive, friendly, and hopeful person, and have taken the effort to guide and support many others in the multiple myeloma community. I have said a quick prayer that you deal as well with your new challenges as you have done with your previous challenges. Good luck and best wishes to you. Regards, JPC
P.S. - And the same sentiments to all in the same boat.
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JPC - Name: JPC
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Hello Nancy,
Thinking of you lots. Once you get over the chemo, I'm sure you will start feeling better and moving forward. Sounds like your in good hands at your hospital. All the best,
Dean
Thinking of you lots. Once you get over the chemo, I'm sure you will start feeling better and moving forward. Sounds like your in good hands at your hospital. All the best,
Dean
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Dean UK - Name: Dean
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 41
Re: Fighting multiple myeloma and another cancer
Yes, I am fighting 2 (possibly 3) cancers at once. Diagnosed with follicular lymphoma (FL), a form of non-Hodgkins lymphoma, in June 2014, multiple myeloma in September 2014, and possibly chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) in November 2014 per the FISH test. I say "possibly" because there is some disagreement between the doctor who is treating me and the doctor I saw for a second opinion about whether I have CLL The multiple myeloma is what I am receiving treatment for, and the FL is sort of running in the background and being taken care of by the multiple myeloma treatment. Nothing is being done for the CLL. I understand that CLL is a chronic condition and people live for many years with it.
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Cinderbox
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