I had my second Zometa injection yesterday. No "Zometa flu" or any noticeable symptoms afterwards.
First Kyprolis treatment was today. Everything went well, and they let me keep my IV (in my forearm) wrapped up for tomorrow morning. I haven't noticed any side effects yet, but I am guessing if anything is going to happen, it will be a few days. My stomach still itches a bit at the site of the last Velcade injection, and there's a nasty mark there. If I ever do need to go back on Velcade, I think I'm going to get the shots in the arm or anywhere other than the stomach.
My weight is back up to 172, so now I've got to start making good food decisions again. It was fun while it lasted.
I've had a small bulge on the right side of my stomach which is below the site where they took one of my ribs out during the back surgery. At first we thought it might be some blood pooling up there from the surgery, but now it's looking and feeling more like it's a hernia of some kind. After the back surgery, I had some awful constipation, which required some way-harder-than-normal pushing and that was accompanied by a cough. I thought it might be something that would go away, but it hasn't gotten better. I'll have to get that looked at soon. It would suck to have to have another surgery, but luckily, this one doesn't seem that bad (not painful, not cutting off any circulation that I can tell) and I'm sure it can be scheduled during a chemo "week off." That said, the only number in my blood work that looks bad is my hemoglobin, which is hovering at 11. Another surgery would put that at risk of going lower.
I've been attempting to walk a few steps each day without my cane. I went up and down the stairs in my house twice yesterday without it. I'm optimistic that the 6-10 weeks that my surgeon predicted for me to be walking without the cane will be more like 2-4 weeks.
Forums
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
I started Kyprolis, Revlimid, and dexamethasone (KRD) last week, and it's going well other than some burning in the veins and some browning of at least one injection site. I'm going to have a port installed.
My 24-hour urine IFE showed negative.
I had my myeloma blood panel done yesterday. The IgG number is down to 671, and I expect the M-spike and light chain analysis early next week. I'm hoping to be close to a complete response (CR). Fingers crossed.
My 24-hour urine IFE showed negative.
I had my myeloma blood panel done yesterday. The IgG number is down to 671, and I expect the M-spike and light chain analysis early next week. I'm hoping to be close to a complete response (CR). Fingers crossed.
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Not quite the CR I was hoping for. M-spike is 0.3. I'll take it!
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Hi Chris,
Given that you've already reached an M-spike of 0.3 g/dL after just two months of treatment, I would be surprised if you don't eventually reach a complete response, and then a stringent complete response and perhaps (probably?) even minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity.
Good luck!
Given that you've already reached an M-spike of 0.3 g/dL after just two months of treatment, I would be surprised if you don't eventually reach a complete response, and then a stringent complete response and perhaps (probably?) even minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity.
Good luck!
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Hope so. Thanks Terry!
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
I just "officially" stopped using the cane today, by the way. Still have a little limp, stairs are challenging, but it's doable. I may bring it to work Monday just for safety, but my plan is to not use it as much as possible.
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Chris -
I just saw your comment about the "bulge" beneath where the rib was removed. My surgeon had to cut a nerve during my surgery to remove the tumor that had destroyed my T11 vertebrae. As a result, there being no nerve connections to the effected area, I too have a bulge that resembles a hernia. Something you might want to inquire about.
I just saw your comment about the "bulge" beneath where the rib was removed. My surgeon had to cut a nerve during my surgery to remove the tumor that had destroyed my T11 vertebrae. As a result, there being no nerve connections to the effected area, I too have a bulge that resembles a hernia. Something you might want to inquire about.
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mtsmith - Name: mtsmith
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Feb '16
- Age at diagnosis: 56
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Thank you! The surgeon said it's definitely not a hernia. I do have some numbness in the back on the same side as the bulge. It seems to be getting smaller slowly. The surgeon thinks it will go away over time and isn't concerned. Huge relief. Next time I see him, I will ask about nerve involvement. Definitely seems like it could be correlated.
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Hi Chris!
Just checking in myself.
After 3 cycles, my M-spike is down to 0.27 g/dL from 7.2 g/dL.
No complete response (CR) yet for me either, but it's a step-by-step process
Next up is finishing cycle 4 then repeat bone marrow biopsy.
After that I have a short break for stem cell harvest and then 6 more cycles of Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone (VRD).
Good times!
Glad you are doing well.
Just checking in myself.
After 3 cycles, my M-spike is down to 0.27 g/dL from 7.2 g/dL.
No complete response (CR) yet for me either, but it's a step-by-step process
Next up is finishing cycle 4 then repeat bone marrow biopsy.
After that I have a short break for stem cell harvest and then 6 more cycles of Velcade, Revlimid, and dexamethasone (VRD).
Good times!
Glad you are doing well.
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Benny - Name: BM1971
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 12/2/16
- Age at diagnosis: 45
Re: PostiveChris's RVD / VRD induction therapy
Well, mid cycle 2 of my KRD induction (after 2 partial RVD cycles), and my M-spike is still 0.3 g/dL. That's now one month without movement. I wonder if I should tough it out and go back to RVD, or stick through the total 4 cycles of KRD. I'll talk to my doctor about this next week.
Anyone have a similar experience with the M-spike not moving down? Definitely discouraging.
On a brighter note, my femur lesion is filling back in (slowly) and I'm getting around great. Ready to start some light gym workouts.
Anyone have a similar experience with the M-spike not moving down? Definitely discouraging.
On a brighter note, my femur lesion is filling back in (slowly) and I'm getting around great. Ready to start some light gym workouts.
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PositiveChris - Name: Chris
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 11/28/2016
- Age at diagnosis: 42
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