Test Results, New Drugs and Other Miscellany

First, I'm pleased to hear that Philip has the date for his 2nd stem-cell transplant set for this September. There's only one thing worse than waiting than getting high-dose chemotherapy -- that's getting it twice. And the long wait to get your tandem transplant isn't pleasant either. Please stop by if you have a chance and wish him well!

I may have failed to mention it, but our friend Beth announced that she will also be resuming treatment, using a Revlimid and Dexamethasone cocktail.

I was reading BBC the other day and read about how the national health services in Great Britain were now adding Velcade as a covered treatment for patients with multiple myeloma. Velcade also happens to be one of the new shining stars of amyloidosis treatment, as it has shown to be very effective in halting bone marrow production of light chains. Unfortunately, it has two side effects: 1) it is still very risky, and 2) it is very expensive. As a result, you are only provided the drug as a last resort. It would definitely be my "omega option" if I had to go there. In any case, the doctors were singing its praises at the Amyloidosis Patient's Day last November. It's worth reading up on.

Last, but not least, I have some lipid and kidney test results from today's meeting with my nephrologist. Not excellent news, but not bad either. I am starting to see a reduction in the protein in my urine, down from 11.5 grams to 8 grams. The positive spin is that it's the lowest this figure has been since I got sick. The downshot is that everyone was expecting it to be much lower at this time. My edema really hasn't improved much since April, so it could be made out to discouraging. But the news will satisfy me until my big checkup in late August.

Lipids are slightly lower than last month. Trigylcerides are down from 180 to 150, and cholesterol is down from 350 to 280. They are still very high, but they are now out of the danger zone. It's hard to believe that 18 months ago my trigylcerides were 1800 and cholesterol was over 700. My blood was as thick as maple syrup, geez.

As I mentioned, no significant news on my edema over the last few months. The improvement has come to a standstill, which has been quite worrisome. As as option, I have reluctant decided to try an ACE inhibitor to cut down the protein leakage. This will lower my blood pressure, so I have to be very careful. I have been put on 2.5mg of lisinopril to see if I can tolerate it.

Not sure what the future holds for me, but can tell you that my local drug store continue to get a lot of my business from me this summer.