tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398956932575790.post8198029738212513951..comments2024-01-23T21:37:27.869-08:00Comments on Nick's Myeloma Blog: Through a glass, darklyNickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09733312143898687572noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398956932575790.post-88660951968850912292010-07-26T20:55:03.859-07:002010-07-26T20:55:03.859-07:00Very well put,,..like Lori said, 'As always...Very well put,,..like Lori said, 'As always'.<br /><br />I was diagnosed with MM in April 2003 at the age of 39. I live 45 min. from Hopkins in Baltimore, MD so I ran there. They said at Stage III, they MIGHT be able to give me 5 years. So, I ran home, jumped on the internet and found Arkansas. Luckily, I knew the state very well and believed. I was born in Little Rock, and lived the first 11 years of my life there so I went. After chemo, and 2 BMT's, I reached Complete Remission by April 2004. I was not on any Maint. Therapy by my decision and in March 2009 the cancer returned. Dr. B. did 1 more SCT for possble use later and started me on Revlimid/Velcade/Dex. and Comp.Rem. returned in Oct. 2009.<br /><br />I am doing fine with a few side effects and fatigue but I truly believe that Arkansas saved my life. That state has given me life twice now. I believe in UAMS, Dr. B., Maint. Therapy, and a cure. We just have to hang in there. Keep rolling Nick - 100% behind you; no, I mean, beside you!<br /><br />Friends in the fight,<br />LisaLisa Greenehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02930478865063495083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398956932575790.post-69565619953359949472010-07-26T10:32:25.138-07:002010-07-26T10:32:25.138-07:00We ran into almost EXACTLY the same argument with ...We ran into almost EXACTLY the same argument with local docs here. It's almost as if they are drinking at the same watering hole and its so annoying to hear the same thing regurgitated over and over. Our doc was telling us that it used to be the prevailing view in treating tumor cancers to do maintenance therapy and it turns out they become resistant to future treatment. HELLOOOOOOO, this is not a "tumor" cancer and it is markedly different! Not understanding the whole picture of Myeloma is spot on Nick! It brings to mind being in a foxhole and being bombarded by the enemy, would you really hold back on defending yourself?<br /><br />Treating at a researching facility vs. a treating physician for this disease at this time, is in my mind, the better option and why I wrote about it. http://www.loripuente.com/?p=65<br /><br />Nice post, as always!<br /><br />LoriLori Puentehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11304096696996620733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398956932575790.post-38640626537958758392010-07-22T11:32:23.593-07:002010-07-22T11:32:23.593-07:00As a cheerleader for the MM squads, I have observe...As a cheerleader for the MM squads, I have observed that the medical team has to be aggressive with this disease that is very aggressive itself; anything less will, in my humble opinion (and that is all it is), guarantee fewer quarters in the game. And to wait too long to take this aggressive stance only means more misery for the patient, it seems.Sandyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02265922352726668243noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5398956932575790.post-9919386959328400692010-07-21T18:11:27.825-07:002010-07-21T18:11:27.825-07:00Right on, Nick! Well said. While UAMS and Total Th...Right on, Nick! Well said. While UAMS and Total Therapy 4 have detractors, I'm staking my life on them. Literally. I have no cult like devotion to the MIRT protocols, my brain (chemo addled though it may be) keeps coming back to the conclusion that using Rev and Velcade (and Dex) in maintenance makes sense to me, SCTs make sense to me, aggressive therapy is right for me. Something better comes along, no matter from where, I'll board that train after careful consideration. I'm doing whatever I can right now to make sure there is a 'down the road' for me.Sean Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06954782169183374420noreply@blogger.com