[Debbie L]

New to site - started treatment with CyBorD

by Debbie L on Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:42 pm

Hi Everyone,

The last two weeks for me have been bit of a whirlwind. I went for a routine physical 3 weeks ago, and my blood results came back abnormal. My hemoglobin was very low and my blood proteins were high. A referral was made to the oncologist/hematologist. I saw him the following Monday, and that Thursday I had the bone marrow biopsy. Then the wait for the results, which was absolute torture.

The news arrived last Thursday, December 11, in the midst of a winter snowstorm. My husband and I arrived at the doctor's office, and we were told the news that I have myeloma.

I really didn't have any symptoms except being tired. Having three children ages 8 to 12 and running from hockey arenas to theatre programs, working full-time, and taking care of my family with the help of my husband, this of course seemed to be a normal tiredness, or at least I thought it was.

This would be the start of a new journey in our lives.

My chemo treatment started this week. I am having CyBorD (cyclophosphamide, bortezomib [Velcade], dexamethasone; aka VCD), which when I research is the course of treatment for myeloma. I will have a stem cell transplant in 4-6 months at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto. My current treatment is being done at North York General Hospital.

Right now I am feeling good. Still tired, but good.

I feel that odds of beating this are in my favour and my objective is to stay positive and focused, not just for me, but for everyone who is fighting this disease.

I wanted to introduce myself to this forum as I want to learn from other people's experiences.

[sue in ohio]

Re: New to site - started treatment with CyBorD

by sue in ohio on Thu Dec 18, 2014 7:00 pm

Hi there,

I am also new to this forum. I started Velcade in December of 2013 and my numbers went up this time so my doctor wants to add the Cytoxan [cyclophosphamide], but the side effects scare me, and I am considering saying no.

Have you had any problems or side effects? I had no problems with the Velcade, but was taking some Chinese medicine herbs from my naturopath before I started chemo and feel that may be why I had no side effects with it.

I already told my doctor no to any stem cell transplant.

sue in ohio

[Mister Dana]

Re: New to site - started treatment with CyBorD

by Mister Dana on Fri Dec 19, 2014 1:37 am

Hi Debbie

You are exactly where I was a year ago, except (a) you are far younger than me, and (b) I had incurred some damage before getting diagnosed, as you'll see in my postings cited below. But going off to see the oncologist in vicious winter weather ... boy do I remember that!

You are on the right track in your plan. There is a lot of good information here, especially in the Treatments and Side Effects subforum. Please post updates to tell us how your treatments are going. I went from never thinking about my health to constantly thinking about it, so you are right about it being a new journey in your life. But there is joy when things go well.

Here is a link to my story of being diagnosed and treated for nonsecretory multiple myeloma and complications starting in December 2013:

"Nonsecretory multiple myeloma & other novel things" (Jul 17, 2014)

This thread tells about my stem cell transplant in the summer of 2014:

"Mr. Dana's Stem Cell Transplant (Mayo Clinic, Outpatient)" (started Jul 26, 2014)

I wish you the best,

Dana

[Debbie L]

Re: New to site - started treatment with CyBorD

by Debbie L on Fri Dec 19, 2014 12:00 pm

Thank you for your responses and support.

It is great to know that other people have / are going through this and we can share our stories and process throughout this journey..

Wishing everyone Happy Holidays!!