Bone Marrow Biopsy

PET/CT scan, PET/MRI scan, 46 vials of blood, two 24-hour urine collections, two more urine samples, ECG, Skeletal (x-ray) bone survey.  That is the list of tests required for qualification and for Cycle 1 Day 1 of my new myeloma therapy trial.  Not to mention height, weight, blood pressure, temperature, walking blood oxygen, and a short physical exam. I won't name the medications involved in the trial yet because, in case they don't work for me, I wouldn't want to discourage anyone else from using them.  One of them is already a whiz-bang success for certain other cancers.  I can say that the study does involve immunotherapy, meaning that the medications take advantage of my own immune system to dispose of the errant plasma cells that are my cancer. Tuesday I had an infusion of one medication, and was given capsules of another to take at home.  I have taken those faithfully for three days now, and will drive the 180-mile round trip to Mayo Clinic again next Tuesday to see how things are working out.  And the Tuesday after that, and on and on for a while.  Fingers crossed. I had such a lovely 7-year ride on Pomalyst, running 60 marathons in 47 states during that time.  Wouldn't another 7 years like that be wonderful?  All prayers accepted.
Source: Myeloma Hope - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: blogs