My first treatment cycle is heading into the final lap. Three infusions, one a week for three weeks, are done. Now I have a “bye” week to complete Cycle 1. Then we do the whole cycle again until the cancer count in my blood is very low. That’s a decision point.
It’s likely we will move on to a Stem Cell Transplant. That entails several steps. First, we harvest my stem cells—those tiny little seeds of life that make new blood and create the immune system—and send them off to be held in a freezer. Next, I will get a big chemo wallop that, in only one dose, will kill off as many of the myeloma cells as possible and, in the process, will decimate my bone marrow. Then, we’ll “go to the freezer and get the box, er bag” and transplant what will then be considered my “rescue stem cells” to reseed the bone marrow so it can start producing cancer-free blood. Myeloma is blood cancer, and so far, they can’t kill off every last cell, but a Stem Cell Transplant provides the best route to a deep and long remission.
Yesterday’s infusion, like the previous two, was uneventful. I opted out of anti-nausea meds because Zofran is a guaranteed really bad headache for me. It turns out that the Kyprolis infusion did not make me nauseous at all. I love not taking unnecessary medications.
I’m also faring surprisingly well with the steroids. No bouts of manic behavior, and I haven’t saved any YachtWorld searches. (Last time on steroids, 13 years ago, I bought “Live Simply.” Jackie says no boat this time.)
I received and started the ”R” (Revlimid) of the KRd myeloma regimen last weekend. That medicine has not presented any difficult side effects yet. I have had itching occur on my scalp, but it is subsiding as I’ve had a few days on the medication, just like the literature said it would. Revlimid arrives by FedEx, practically in an armored truck. The market cost is almost $1,000 PER PILL! Even the co-pay still pegs it at about $15,000 per year. We were fortunate to get a grant for 10 months free.
The whole KRd cocktail seems to be getting busy in my body. My blood work is showing predictable impacts from the drugs that account for the increased fatigue. I'm not sure why bone pain is also increasing, but it seems that’s predictable, too. I expect that all this means the cancer is also being affected. Is anybody else hearing little “Pew. Pew. Pew-pew!” sounds?
Today has been a down day. I’m a little shaky if I try to be mobile much, and it is nice that I don’t have to be. I’m not fighting it. I’m honoring the work that the medication is doing in my body and helping by not drawing away the energy that the medication needs to go after the cancer. This is the process. So, the news from this infusion adventure is a resounding thumbs up. 👍
Jackie and I both can feel the good feels and prayers and sparkles being showered on us from so many. It truly gives us strength. Wishing you safe, healthy, easy times filled with being loved and loving deeply. *¨*•.¸¸¸.•*¨*🙏💕💪
Mary