Hi friends,
I just hit day 90 post autologous stem cell transplant today. Here's a quick recap:
- I did the whole stem cell transplant as an outpatient. It was hard, but not bad enough that I ever felt like I needed to check into the hospital versus staying at home. I live about a 40 minute drive from the transplant center. My wife was able to take 6 weeks off of work to take care of me.
- I got my "release" on day 13. I was really gunning for this day because in the forum I had not heard of many folks getting released from hospital before day 14.
- After my release, I went through a period of feeling lightheaded (likely because I was no longer getting fluids every day)
- I started my stem cell collection at 180 pounds, and I got down to about 168 again during the transplant. I'm back up to 177 now.
- I went back to work on day 38! I was supposed to only work from home, but I want back into the office on day 39.
- I have not been sick at all, and my energy levels have normalized after the first few weeks back working.
- My bone marrow biopsy came back, and I'm still not minimal residual disease (MRD) negative.
I have 75 ppm cancerous IgG, and 153 ppm light chains. I am in stringent complete response (sCR), though.
- In 2 weeks, I'll start consolidation, which will be more Kyprolis, Revlimid, and dex (KRD), but with reduced Revlimid (15 mg daily days 1-21) and dex (20 mg weekly).
- My doc fully expects me to get to MRD negative. I'll do another bone marrow biopsy after 4 cycles.
- Assuming I am MRD negative after that, it's likely maintenance (either Kyprolis or Revlimid single agent) for awhile after that.
- Most of my bone pain is gone, and my range of motion isn't impacted. I'm starting with a personal trainer tomorrow to help get me back into shape.
Thanks so much to this community who have given me tons of education and hope. THANK YOU, and I hope to be around and contributing to this group for many years to come.
Much love!
