[group66]

Need Advice

by group66 on Sun Apr 01, 2012 12:10 pm

Hello Anyone – I’m brand new to all of this. Several weeks ago younger brother 45yrs w/ 5 & 7 year old children & wife was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (key factors are deletion of P17 & P13 and P53 is ‘turned off’). appointment at Dana Farber on Friday 3/30/12 doctor said allogeniec stem cell transplant is most probable for success, and autologous less appropriate given severity and progression of situation. Questions: Wondering about life after allogeniec procedure. What will Paul be able to do/not able to do for a year or so? Drive himself to weekly appts in Boston from 3 hours away? Has anyone undergone this and can offer advice? Also, after appointment at Dana Farber, can/should 2nd opinion be sought – they said good people in Seattle, WA/NY Sloan Kittery. Can 2nd opinion be done electronically w/out flying out to Seattle from CT?

[Dr. Edward Libby]

Re: Need Advice

by Dr. Edward Libby on Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:11 pm

Greetings from sunny Seattle !
...... today anyway

The Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) is one of the top centers in the world for multiple myeloma. Your brother will get a very good understanding of what he will be able to do after transplant from the experts at the DFCI. To my knowledge we do not do electronic consults at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center/Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (these are the same insitutions essentially from a patient perspective).
Dr.Bill Bensinger is our expert in allogeneic stem cell transplantation for multiple myeloma and he has extensive experience in this approach to high risk myeloma. I am sure Dr. Bensinger would be happy to see your brother in consultation for a second opinion.
I wish your brother all the best in his journey with this difficult disease.

[group66]

Re: Need Advice

by group66 on Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:08 pm

Thanks very much for your posting. We are trying to gather as much info as possible on our brother's behalf.