🙂 … and the yippee is in no way meant to be sarcastic! 🙂
Why? Because, as usual with the start of a new cycle, I had a consult first – to gauge the results of my current bloods (taken 15 minutes before) and the 'Freelight' test ordered by my lead nurse at my last infusion of Cycle 5 before I went on holiday.8-)
Here's the yippee… or should I say Yippee!
I started Cycle 1 @ 264 Kappa Light Chains which reduced wonderfully to 13 Kappa light chains after 2 Cycles. They then decided to reduce my dose from 2.8 to 2.2 for Cycle 3 because of the increased PN, especially in my hands. I know that Velcade offers its best results in the first 2 Cycles and was ready for a slow down in progress – with Cycle three reducing to 11.6 – not bad. Because the PN got slightly worse my dose was reduced to 1.47 for Cycles 4, 5 & now 6. Cycle 4 produced a slight rise to 12.1 which concerned me but my lead nurse, the wonderful Jenny, told me not to worry as all the other associated readings were all very positive. Jenny instantly ordered a 'Freelight' test to ensure that my results were ready for the consultant on my return from holiday and I left feeling slightly placated – slightly… because I hate to see a rise at any time and especially so when everything seemed to be moving in the right direction.:-|
So, into the consult with my usual (preferred) consultant for the first time in 8 weeks due to mutual holidays… and she was smiling and chirpy… it was the chirpy that I liked the best… especially as they were a consultant down with no notice and there were workmen with a very consistent and very noisy drill working right outside her window and were due to be there all day… it got on my nerves in 5 minutes. I was bumrushed through my meeting after various prescriptions were ordered, including my Velcade which remained the same… my Hb was a decent (for me) 10.9 and then then bombshell that my 'Freelight' test produced virtual CR (Complete Response).8-) 😎 😎 😀 🙂
Now I should say here that once you get a reading under 18 you are considered in the area of CR – hence the good news of 13 – 11.6 – 11.5 and even 12.1… but this time it meant just what it says on the tin… i.e. 0. That is no discernible reading at any level of any reading… just 0 and 0 and 0. 😎
So here's to a justifiable and highly enjoyable Yippee!:-D
My consultant wants me to complete the full 8 courses of treatment and I concur. Its down so let's beat it and keep it down and hammer it home… for every single day it extends my remission (which is short enough in any case) the better.:-)
Happy Chappy… even though I am back on Velcade and its close mate Dex and feeling whacked and crappy today.:-)
Dai.
