The CAR-T procedure has taken hold, and three months-worth of "numbers" are in which tell my Oncologist just how effective the overall treatment has been. A CT/PET scan and Bone Marrow aspiration add to the lens being used by my Onc team to dive deeply into the data of my disease and determine an assessment of the procedure and a view into the future (near-ish term, at least).
I won't get into the specifics (they're a complicated and nuanced amalgamation of acronyms far beyond my comprehension). But the bottom-line (which is all I really want to hear, quite frankly) is that as a result of the CAR-T, my myeloma is Undetectable - which is basically code for "remission." With this disease, the use of the word "cure" is respectfully and conspicuously avoided - but remission is good enough. All therapies have been suspended (other than monthly IVIG to help me fight general infections; like colds and communicable diseases), and now I'm just riding along like everyone else. Monthly blood work will be used to detect any deviation from the current un-detectable presence of the disease in my system. Quarterly annual visits will suffice for me and the Onc team to review the status of my disease, and hoped-for continued PFS (progression free survival - a phrase for: “cancer is controlled”).
How long will this newly-achieved state last? Good question. The uncertainty is not the concern that it will be short-lived and require another approach (CAR-T again ?). Rather, the unknown is the duration of the PFS. Two years? Three years? As most conservative estimates promise. Five years? As some recent research has objectively concluded. No one knows, and each case, each patient is different. A wise person once said: "You get what you get and you don't get upset." Admittedly, that was about crayons in a 3rd-grade classroom, but I think that the sentiment has wide-ranging, real-world application. At least it does for me.
Though I don't medically really feel any different (which wasn't necessarily expected that I would; we talked about this), the numbers don't lie. I can go forward now at least psychologically being able to think incrementally less about Multiple Myeloma and incrementally more about anything else that I want to with that previously distracted brain power.
And besides taking somewhat of a break from being a person with cancer, after 431 postings over the past 8+ years (since September 15, 2017), I'm going to take a break from writing this blog. I've logged way too many odd-servations about my journey - leaving a trail of trials, tribulations and triumphs in my wake; for generations to come. To all 60-ish of you, my loyal and loving readers, I can't thank you enough for being there. You are the filet mignon of followers: small in appearance but gigantic in your volume of filling my heart and fueling my soul.
I want to leave with one thought: If you ever come across anyone who is stricken with this disease and who wants to: ask questions, scream, cry or commiserate about their plight - I am always willing and available to help. I hope that this forum offered some solace and support, and I will continue to do so however and wherever I can.
Thank you all !!!
Love, The Canswer Man
