Beth Morgan Multiple Myeloma Treatment Blog
My life as a myeloma patient for almost two decades
I was diagnosed with MM in January of 2003. I underwent various treatments, including thalidomide/dex, revlimid/dex, dex alone, a clinical trial of CNTO 328, and Velcade, Doxil and dex until late August, 2007, when I had an autologous stem cell transplant after high dose melphalan. I experienced what's known as a very good partial response (VGPR). Since then, my myeloma has been stable.
I had a bone marrow biopsy yesterday. I got one of these, and decided to take a picture of it so you could see what the needle looks like. This time I had an IV of 2 mg ativan. I can’t say that it helps much, but it sure doesn’t hurt. I don’t know what all these parts are for, but here they are!
Manufacturer’s Home Page. This used to include some video demonstrations of the Goldenberg Snarecoil in use. Now it’s branded Monoject.
I do some volunteer work for the Collie Rescue of the Carolinas. Sometimes we have a collie who has had a terrible time, and needs to have a home with a family who will take good care of him and not discard him. If you live in the Carolinas or Virginia, and have been considering adopting a dog, take a look at Jamie: http://collierescue.net/available/index.html. Spread the word around. He needs a home!
CHICAGO, Oct 3 (Reuters) – Celgene Corp. (CELG.O: Quote, Profile, Research) on Monday said U.S. regulators notified the company late Friday that the date for reviewing an application for its cancer drug Revlimid has been extended by three months, to Jan. 7.
Celgene said it expects to submit in November its application for Revlimid to treat previously treated patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.
Last week, Celgene said it expected a suspended trial of the drug to resume within weeks, after the trial design is changed to ensure all patients receive aspirin to reduce the chance of developing blood clots.
I got my last infusion of CNTO 320 a week ago Tuesday. The drug was free of any noticeable side effects. About the only thing I noticed was an increase in cholesterol and triglycerides. It’s not certain what effect the treatment is having on my MM though. This was a phase I trial, so we’re the first humans to get the drug. The doctors think that it may take a while for it to work, so it could be a wait and see situation. I’m not sure how long we’ll wait though. I have a bone marrow biopsy, labs and xrays next week so we’ll see how that goes. I’ve been disappointed in my labs so far though. Before the first infusion, my IgA was in the 1600s. Last week, it was in the 2100s. If the next reports show an improvement or stable disease, I can qualify for more. If not, it’s time to try something else.
Here’s where the difficult choice needs to be made. I can do another trial at UNC. There’s one that I talked about before: Velcade vs Velcade + Doxil. That’s a harsher treatment than I’ve ever had before. It could worsen my PN. Maybe not though. I won’t know until I try it.
BOSTON — A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has voted to recommend that the agency approve Celgene Corp.’s oncology drug Revlimid, the company said Wednesday.
By Val Brickates Kennedy, MarketWatch
Last Update: 1:19 PM ET Sept. 14, 2005
Trading in shares of Summit, N.J.-based Celgene was halted at $52.91
Wednesday morning, ahead of the meeting. Celgene is seeking to have the drug Revlimid approved for the treatment of transfusion-dependent anemia due to certain blood cancers known as myelodysplastic syndromes.
Although the panel’s vote is not a final decision, the FDA traditionally
abides by the recommendation of its expert panels.
Celgene said that the FDA is scheduled to formally rule on whether to
approve Revlimid by Oct. 7. The company already markets a version of thalidomide called Thalomid, for the treatment of leprosy, and Alkeran, a treatment for the cancer multiple myeloma.
I’m on the CNTO 328 trial, as you know. So far, I’m not sure what to make of the results. My IgA was in the 1600s at the start, then went to the 1800s. Last week it was 2411. Yesterday it was 2052. I suppose we won’t really know whether it’s helped or not until the trial is complete. I have infusion #4 on Tuesday. A few weeks later, there’ll be another bone marrow biopsy and some bloodwoork. I hope it does end up working. I’ve been told it could work very slowly, so my IgA could go down.
A friend is trying to raise some money to benefit the MSF. I hope you’ll consider sponsoring him! Here’s his info:
Since the beginning of April, I have been training to ride the MS150, which is a 150 mile bike ride in New Bern, NC on September 10th and 11th. Training has consisted of riding 3 days per week, for approx. 2 to 5 hours per ride. The ride takes place over two days, riding 75 miles each day. The purpose of the ride is to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation. My team and I are asking for your support. In order to pledge, please follow these simple instructions:
1. Go to www.nationalmssociety.org/pledge
2. Under “Participant Info”, simply enter my name. You may also enter our team name, “Hill Raisers”, but this is not required.
3. You will then be prompted to choose whether to e-pledge, visit my personal page, or visit my team page. I recommend you visit my team page (it has a picture of us, and a story about our training).
4. From the team page, you click on the heart next to my name, and follow the instructions from there.
5. You and I will both recieve an e-mail confirmation of your tax-deductible gift.
Or, if you prefer, you may write a check made out to the National MS Society and I will give you a receipt. Please include my name and “MS 150” in the memo line.
Thank you so much for your consideration, and please don’t hesitate to ask me anything!
Kevin Gantt