Valentine’s Day five years ago my husband was admitted to hospital with multiple myeloma. Thanks to private health everything was done immediately. Paraprotein levels were through the roof. Luckily no bone or organ damage. C was put on Velcade but after a few cycles had to stop as the peripheral neuropathy was so bad he couldn’t walk ( not everyone gets this). After a couple of months break to recover he started Revlimid. It worked a treat and paraproteins went down to about 4. Transplant was offered but we both came to the conclusion that as things were good it would be worth a ‘wait and see’, but C had his stem cells harvested and stored for future use. He was drug free for 18 months with 3 monthly checkups. We nearly forgot about MM and went on some lovely holidays. C had to take retirement as he ran out of sick leave (and with it went the private health) He took the opportunity to start learning how to play drums and Karate. All was great till Paraprotein levels rose to 30 again. This time round Revlimid was not effective even with a strong dose of Cyclophosphamide and the usual Dex. So it was suggested that he try Pomalidomide with the same cocktail of Dex and Cyclo. Levels have been down but not enough. He had two choices - Stem cell transplant or a be part of a trial in London (which involved 2 days a week in hospital). With quality of life and aiming to try and go drug free again as the target C chose to go for stem cell transplant.
