Last week we visited Haematology at Lincoln for consultation and yesterday for further bone marrow biopsy/aspiration, further X-rays and now we wait the results. On Monday 15th the Doctors will meet and consult with Prof Russell from the Clinical Haematology Centre Nottingham ( Hamada's Stem Cell Transplant Specialist) with the view to Hamada starting Velcade. We will then return on the 18th February for their collective thoughts. As I have mentioned here several times it is not an easy decision to arrive at. Hamada has enjoyed two years three months since his Stem Cell Transplant with no Chemotherapy, a quiet life but a reasonable one. Now with his M-Spike/Para Protein at a whopping 18.1!! a decision must be made, the higher this reading the more damage will be done to his already fragile bones and organs. His kidneys, which at one time were at 6% are now holding well at 15% but still another reason to be very cautious. Velcade is a newer chemotherapy drug that Hamada has not tried before and is allowed here on the NHS for first relapse. Velcade is widely used in America, some patients doing very well indeed but there are problems associated with it - neuropathy and anemia being just two and with Hamada's very poor blood counts could be the greatest risk. A balancing act indeed but as MM has powerfully reared it's ugly head again, we feel we must wage war once more.
+small.jpg)
5 comments:
Keeping you in my good thoughts!
It's a hard battle, I know!
Susie - I think you have to trust the doctors to give the best advice for Hamada as an individual. I don't get the impression it is a decision they will take lightly by any means. Good luck to both of you!
@ Margie. Thank you for your good wishes - how kind you are Margie
@ Roobeedoo. Yes I must, and you are so right to say so. I truly know they are trying to do their best for H.
Continued good thoughts for FL X
I know people who have done very well on Velcade, including people right here in our local support groups.
I don't know anything about the anemia, but at the recent ASH conference several presentations showed that the painful neuropathy could be reduced to a fraction with weekly instead of twice-weekly Velcade infusions.
Response is not quite as rapid, but apparently it is just as deep.
Thank you Don for your most valued input. I shall put forward these findings at our consultation next thursday but it seems they(NHS) have a set protocal-four doses over a three week period = twice weekly for two weeks and then 10 days off - together with a regime of Dex. If there is no immediate reduction then it will not be continued. Blood tests and results analysed before every infusion. So that platlets can be added if needed. They(NHS)need to see some reduction quickly due to the massive costs involved.
Thank you for taking the time to let me know this. I do appreciate it.
Stay well and all best wishes.
Post a Comment