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Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow
When it comes to cancer, hair is a funny thing. Not often funny in a ha ha way, but more funny in a much more complicated way. A great many cancer treatments are extremely tough on the body. It’s the weird thing about cancer treatments – the patient often feels better before treatment than during treatment, lending further thought to the idea that the cure/treatment is often worse than the disease. On the many casualties; collateral damage, if you’d like; of cancer treatment is the loss of hair. For much of my life, I had thought, “What’s the big deal? So, you lose your hair to save your life. Lots…
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Stem Cell Transplants (by a Dummy, for Dummies) – Part 1
The relatively standard treatment for multiple myeloma patients is an induction therapy of Revlimid, Velcade and dexamethasone, followed up by a stem cell transplant if the patient is healthy and young enough. When I first heard of stem cell transplants, I thought, “oh, cool, high-tech and cutting edge,” what with stem cells being the news so often the past decade. I didn’t even bother looking into the details, because I focused entirely, at least initially, on my induction therapy. I felt the need to compartmentalize my treatment, focusing on one step at a time and the variables I could exert some degree of control over. As I progressed through treatment…
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So, you want to do something for me?
Throughout my fight with multiple myeloma, from the very beginning with my diagnosis, I’ve been overwhelmed by the amount of love and support thrown our way by our friends and family. It’s incredibly humbling to be included in prayers, and to receive numerous messages checking on our wellbeing, Lori’s and the kids’ too. I’m extraordinarily grateful for everything. Thank you, everyone, for all your kind words, encouragement, support and love. As I’m writing this, I’m halfway through the stem cell transplant process, and I can tell you, we’ve also enjoyed quite a number of meals prepared by others. It’s been so helpful to not have to go to the store…
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To Weed or Not to Weed, That is the Question
When it comes to cancer treatments, there are a great many theories and an abundance of opinions about options, from pharmaceuticals to nutraceuticals and most anything in-between. There’s an enormous number of different cancers out there, and each and every patient has a unique circumstance – his or her own body. Despite all the research over the past century, treating cancer is still only part science, and a great deal part art. With multiple myeloma, the induction treatment is pretty cut and dried, black and white. The standard is pretty much the “RVD” regimen – Revlimid, Velcade and the steroid dexamethasone. For patients, the only real decision is to either…
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Redefining “Game Day” & “Fight Night”
The medical fight against multiple myeloma, at least initially, is pretty standard and cut and dried. In short form, it’s the “RVD” treatment. ‘R’ is for Revlimid, a once-a-day tablet taken in a cycle of three weeks on, one week off. The ‘V’ is for Velcade, a once-weekly injection given in the abdomen. The ‘D’ is for Dexamethasone, a steroid taken once a week. Then, because of all the potential side effects, and there are a whole host of potential side effects, there’s a bunch of other prescription drugs to take to keep one ready and able to take the real cancer-fighters. This induction treatment was prescribed right off the…