Hello Brian – just replying on behalf of my husband who had 1st SCT in Feb 2010 at age 63 following 20 sessions of radiotherapy (for plasmacytoma- tumour type of thing)and 6months chemo (CDT). This was very effective with few side-effects and after his 21days in hospital which he said were “doable” he was drug free (apart from monthly injections of Zometa to protect against bone damage) and his key markers, light chains, kappa and lambda remained normal for 4 years until about Feb 2014. He had 4 years of “normal life” whereby he was still active at d-I-y, house renovations, etc and holidays. Unfortunately, the markers began to rise around February 2014 so he had another 20 rounds of radiotherapy for another plasmcytoma, Velcade given subcutaneously once a week for about 6 months, during which time we still went away on holiday and and he remained active and underwent 2nd SCT in Dec 2014. Less “pleasant” experience than previously but did soon recover but ensured he stayed away from sources of infection for quite a few weeks. Has now just completed another extensive house renovation at grand old age of 69yrs. Only downside is that his energy levels are not as long lasting as they used to be and he gets tired, fatigued more quickly. mind you , he is also 5 years older!!!
