[Sister In Law]

Multiple myeloma specialists in Spokane, Washington?

by Sister In Law on Wed Dec 09, 2015 10:46 pm

Hi,

I was told to ask about a myeloma specialist in my town. So now, I will ask! I am in Spokane, Washington. I THINK my husband is seeing a myeloma specialist. He does stem cell transplants and specializes in myeloma (at least in the large cancer group in which he is affiliated).

At this point, my husband is too weak in the legs to trek to Seattle to see a specialist. He's able to walk, but is finding it to be harder and harder to get off toilets and go up stairs. It's becoming scary.

He was tested for amyloidosis (they tested his bone marrow with Congo red and it was fine). I hope that was adequate.

Velcade put him into atrial fibrillation and now his legs are swelling. Not a good drug for him. His neuropathy improved with treatment, thankfully. Only three rounds of Velcade and four rounds of Cytoxan. Leg weakness is getting worse.

[JimNY]

Re: Multiple myeloma specialists in Spokane, Washington?

by JimNY on Thu Dec 10, 2015 2:21 pm

Sister,

Most myeloma specialists are at major cancer centers. In your case, the nearest would be in Seattle at the various institutions associated with Seattle Cancer Care.

However, if your husband's current doctor says that he specializes in multiple myeloma, then in a place like Spokane it's possible that he really is seeing mainly myeloma patients. He probably is not quite as specialized and up on the latest research, though, as a myeloma specialist based in Seattle.

I continue to wonder if your husband has been properly diagnosed, and therefore if it would be worth the trip to Seattle to get a consultation from a specialist there. Dr. Edward Libby, who helps regularly here in the forum, is a myeloma specialists based in Seattle. Dr. William Bensinger is a very well known myeloma specialist based in Seattle.

I did see one or two Spokane-area physicians listed on this page,

https://www.cancercarenorthwest.com/find-a-doctor/

under "Medical Oncology & Hematology" who seem reasonably focused on treating multiple myeloma.

Good luck!

[Multibilly]

Re: Multiple myeloma specialists in Spokane, Washington?

by Multibilly on Thu Dec 10, 2015 4:07 pm

I second Jim's concern that the patient may not be properly diagnosed.

Given the stakes, a road trip or flight to Seattle to see a doc at the SCCA (who have top shelf multiple myeloma specialists) would be time well spent, IMHO. A specialist at SCCA can always oversee treatment by a local doc in Spokane once you have established an initial relationship with the Seattle doc.

[Anonymous]

Re: Multiple myeloma specialists in Spokane, Washington?

by Anonymous on Fri Dec 11, 2015 2:28 pm

My dad is currently seeing Edward Libby at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA); my dad has had a very good experience (all things considered, of course!) working with him. He specializes in myeloma and, importantly, is very involved in following new drugs/trials, so has a very strong expertise in newest treatments.