[marett]

My husband's story

by marett on Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:40 pm

My husband was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma about 7 years ago. The doctor initially said that it was mgus but that was in Toronto. When we moved to Vancouver a year later the new doctor said that based on the numbers that he was smoldering. The doctor gave Graham two choices. He could either go for treatment or he could wait and see how it progressed. The doctor told us that most doctors would advise treatment. Graham chose no treatment. Graham did get bone treatments once every 3 months so he has had no bone damage and his bones are very strong. A year ago the doctor said that it was time for treatment. He started to take dex (which he hated) and then in late August he had a stem cell transplant. Eight weeks later we were back hiking in the mountains. We discussed doing maintenance therapy but the doctor advised against it. Graham is in complete remission. The last time his blood was checked last month his hemoglobin was at 133 and his multiple myeloma levels were less than 1%.
Sometimes when I read about the possibility of a long remission with maintenance I think that it might be a good idea for Graham to go on maintenance but when I read about the side effects it makes me think that maybe he has a better quality of life right now. We are snoeshoeing or hiking every second day for about 3 hours and I have to say we are enjoying life.

[Sharon]

Re: My husband's story

by Sharon on Thu Apr 15, 2010 5:21 pm

marett, I'm so glad your husband has been in complete remission since his stem cell transplant and he's back to being able to enjoy hiking again. It's encouraging to hear about other MMers who respond well to treatment. Good luck with the decision about maintenance therapy. It's a tough decision, but you'll make the one that's right for you and your husband and that's what matters. multiple myeloma has taught me to enjoy every day while I can - glad to hear you are enjoying life too.

[marett]

Re: My husband's story

by marett on Thu Apr 15, 2010 8:18 pm

Thanks Sharon, It is a difficult decision about whether or not to do maintenance. I read so many things about maintenance success. When we saw the doctor 3 months after transplant he said that if it was him that he would do nothing. My husband actually sees 2 doctors (heamatologist and oncologist) and they both had the same opinion. Both went to the big conference that was held recently and both still felt that there was not enough research yet to be able to say for sure whether maintenance should be done. They were both willing however to prescribe if my husband wanted it. I guess we just felt that his quality of life was pretty good right now and we know in the future that he will be on some sort of drug but for the moment we can live life in a pretty good way.

[NStewart]

Re: My husband's story

by NStewart on Tue Apr 20, 2010 3:53 pm

I will soon be reaching day 100 after my transplant and am also struggling with the decision of whether to do maintenance or not. I did not achieve CR, but did gain a much lower m-spike and much improved other numbers, especially IgG. I had hoped to not have to take Revlimid again for quite a while after the transplant. My oncologist is recommending it and with the fact that I do have an m-spike I am leaning towards it. The one good thing is that I wouldn't also have to take Dex at this time. I really hated the side effects from the Dex.

To do or not to do, that is the question. I'm glad that your husband is doing so well right now. I feel that I am too. I have returned to work and am doing fine except for the fatigue after a day of work. I know that that will gradually resolve as I get conditioned to arising early and working all day again.

Nancy

[marett]

my husbands progress - in remission

by marett on Mon Feb 07, 2011 8:48 pm

I posted about a year ago about my husband. He went through his stem cell therapy in August 2009. We decided not to go through any maintenance treatment and this was supported by his doctors. Anyways he went for his blood tests a couple of days ago and he is now in complete remission. The doctor said that his blood shows no trace of multiple myeloma at all. All of his ranges fall in the normal range. We are thrilled. I am also glad that we did not choose maintenance treatment. I think that his quality of life is better.

[BarbTonn]

Re: My husband's story

by BarbTonn on Tue Feb 08, 2011 10:54 am

Wonderful news that your husband is in remission!!!! Yeah!!!

Barb