[Abeezy]

In remission after diagnosis at age 27

by Abeezy on Tue Dec 23, 2014 12:17 am

Hi, new to here. Just thought I'd share my myeloma story.

I was recently diagnosed this year on October 27. I am only 27 years old. My doctors told me it had been in my hip area for 6 months prior and that I had lesions on my hip area. I was very devastated, especially since I lost my father to a rare cancer 3 years before.

I started chemotherapy with Velcade and dexamethasone on Halloween and went twice a week for two weeks, then dropped to one week and they then added Cytoxan (cyclo­phos­pha­mide) a few weeks ago cause I had low kidney function due to the myeloma, which is why it was caught early on for me.

I must say, I have read horror stories of side effects, but I only had severe nausea, which has gone down greatly with them giving me Aloxi (palonosetron) before my pills / shot, and bone pain, which was bad at first, but slowly went away after chemo started working.

I am very lucky as today I went in for chemo and a doctor visit and was told I have responded very well and that my cancer was in remission after only a few months!! I am going to be getting a stem cell transplant next year sometime and continue with maintenance. But this was great news and I wanted to share it with people who understand this horrible disease.

Happy holidays and hope everyone can get news like me!

[JBarnes]

Re: In remission after diagnosis at age 27

by JBarnes on Tue Dec 23, 2014 1:16 am

Great news! I'm sorry someone so young has this disease. I'm sure the transplant will lock you into a very long remission! Merry Christmas.

[Tracy J]

Re: In remission after diagnosis at age 27

by Tracy J on Tue Dec 23, 2014 6:34 am

Hi Abeezy,

I'm so sorry you got a diagnosis such as this. I thought I was young at 42!

Where are you being treated?

Just out of curiosity, did you and your doctors ever discuss an allogeneic stem cell transplant, where the stem cells come from someone else? This discussion seems more likely to come up the younger the patient is.

Tracy

[nomm]

Re: In remission after diagnosis at age 27

by nomm on Tue Dec 23, 2014 10:44 am

Hi, I am happy that you are in remission. What type of cancer did your dad have?

[dustydenimdad]

Re: In remission after diagnosis at age 27

by dustydenimdad on Mon Feb 02, 2015 8:37 pm

Hey Abeezy,

And here I was thinking I was the youngest person on here at 28.

It's great that you're in remission -- I hope that remains the case for many, many, many years. If you don't mind, I have a few questions.

First, have you had a FISH panel to determine if you have any genetic abnormalities?

Second, where are you being treated?

I ask the first question because we're significantly younger than even the youngest -- thinking about the 35-45 crowd -- of myeloma patients, and it would seem as though genetics, not environmental factors, would be the culprit. I had a FISH panel, but it came back negative. However, that was before a PET scan revealed what a bone scan did not: several small lesions throughout my body. A biopsy of a lesion was taken and sent to be analyzed for any abnormalities, but I have yet to hear back.

I wish for you what I wish for all myeloma patients: peace of mind, rest, happiness, and sustained remission.

Sincerely,

Paul (NYC)