A little more about where I’m at. I was diagnosed with MGUS last summer after unusual back pain in the thoracic area – my GP ordered bloods and the results sent me to a haeomatologist who did a CT scan (and an aborted MRI which I couldn’t tolerate without sedation).
That led to 6-monthly monitoring leading to combination of raised paraproteins and free light chains combined with a 6cm “osteolytic lesion” impacting on my left hip and acute pain in the left groin – which may well have been a “pathological fracture”. Another scan showed evidence of more (thankfully smaller) lesions in pelvis, lower and upper spine, and one rib. So Multiple Myeloma diagnosis confirmed early September, and treatment plan developed quickly – radiotherapy to reduce the hip lesion and get some mobility back – my walking had got really bad even with two crutches – followed by VTD chemo (not started yet) and then a transplant. I’m 70 (male), which I thought might put me out of range for a transplant, but the haematologist said “But you’re a fit seventy!”
The good news is that although the lesions have developed quickly, the blood numbers – FBC, calcium, immunoglobulins, paraproteins, free light chains, liver, renal, the lot – are all good and within normal ranges. Hence the decision to put off chemo (apart from a couple of hits of dexamethasone (steroid) until after the radiotherapy. Results so far are promising – paraproteins and FLCs are down, and the left hip is quite a way back towards normal – I no longer need even one stick around the house but still rely on aids outside. OTOH, a few days after the final session I think I can feel the start of the expected wave of post-radiotherapy bone pain starting to arrive. Hope it won’t last too long…
So now in a slightly nervous state as the first round of chemo approaches in ten days time. Just no way of telling how that will go in advance, so got to be prepared for all the things I’ve been reading about. But overall, the main thing is this – the care I’ve had from my GP, then from the NHS at our local hospital, then transferring to private (I’ve been paying out for “Comprehensive Cancer Cover” for years, will probably never get a better chance to use it!) has all been excellent. Couldn’t have hoped for better. So I know there will be trials to come, for me and for my wife, but we’re both approaching them in as positive a way as we can. Right now, I’d just like a couple of nights of good sleep after all that dexamethasone…
