What's been going on with me health wise - Update & Refresher

As you may know, I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma June 22, 2005. I went to Mayo Clinic for a stem cell transplant December 2005. Please review the archives for details.

Lately... I get a monthly infusion of Zometa which is sort of like industrial strength Boneva. The last time we checked (about six months ago), the stem cell transplant did not kill the defective plasma cells in my bone marrow as we had hoped it would. Therefore, my bone marrow is populated with normal blood cells as well as about forty percent defective plasma cells. These cells secrete defective protein as well as growth factor. The growth factor stimulates osteoclasts which are normal bone cells that remove bone. Zometa tends to reduce the activity of these cells and allows osteoblasts, cells which build bone, to increase bone density and strength. The defective protein can cause other complications but as far as we can tell, I don't have any of them.

In a way, I am very fortunate as someone who has an incurable disease because my disease is almost sitting still, not progressing. Of all the people who get multiple myeloma, I am in the small percentage of those who have the best long term outlook (even without a stem cell transplant). I am thankful for all the thoughts and prayers of countless friends, relatives, and unknown supporters. I am thankful God is letting me live a while longer in relatively good health and answering prayers.

All the effects, both good and bad, of the stem cell transplant are not known. However, one of the after effects is that my face is slightly red all the time. That makes me appear healthy whether I am or not. Most people are amazed by how healthy I appear and usually make some sort of comment about it. I am just trying to take advantage of every minute I have and not think about living with multiple myeloma any more than I have to. I am sure some day, if something else doesn't get me or a miracle cure doesn't happen, I will be in it's cross hairs under fire again.

Unless something changes, I will be returning to Mayo Clinic for annual check ups. Also, I get quarterly checks at the local cancer center of my monoclonal protein level which is an indication of disease progression.

That's my storey and I'm sticking to it.

Thanks for stopping by!