Evaluation Test Results

First, I'd like to apologize to some of you who use Internet Explorer -- there was a problem with my blog template that prevented my blog from being displayed properly on your computers. My bad. I am very sorry, and hope that we can still remain friends.

Let me cut to the chase regarding my test results. My bone marrow labs came out normal. Oh yeah! There is no evidence of any further progression with the disease, and my free light chain ratios are normal. That means I can finally claim that I have achieved a complete response to the treatment!

On a slightly more somber note, my kidneys are still pretty damaged. I've had good improvement since the spring, but the rate of healing has started to slow down. It seems I will have nephrotic syndrome for now and in the near future. There's nothing they can do about that... we'll just have to wait and see.

Where do we go from here? Well, I will continue to see my nephrologist to keep tabs on my kidneys. And of course, I'll keep up on the drugs and the restricted diet. As far as the amyloid is concerned -- I don't need to come back to Boston Medical for another evaluation until next August.

I am very happy to hear this news as the disease has been stopped in its tracks for now, although I'm a little bummed out about how my kidneys are doing. However, the important thing is that my bone marrow is functioning normally. This is quite a relief, as I don't know what I'd do if the tests came out negative. I really hope it sticks. I am positive about my future, although I am still a bit sour from the good news they gave me last year, only to find that it didn't hold.

Time will tell.