Guess what, having cancer isn't only just about having cancer. There are numerous other associated factors (depending on the particular strain, how far along the disease has progressed at the time of detection, other pre-existing comorbidities, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera). Not to mention, factors such as: Will my cancer metastasize (spread), what will be the varying side effects of the treatment regimen, what is the expected success rate with my therapy, and even what ancillary damage has been done to my body in general as a result of the disease? In my case, we've learned some of these answers together and we remain unclear about some of the others. As for collateral damage done to my body in general as a result of the disease, my kidneys have pretty much been the focal point of the fallout from my cancer.
Just before my diagnosis, when I was first actually told by my GP to go to the emergency room, he started the voicemail message by saying that I was in renal failure. This awareness came about as the result of standard blood tests which affirmed his concerns - I suspect he knew something wasn't right, but couldn't or responsibly wouldn't make that call without further testing. Renal failure can be caused by the Multiple Myeloma (MM) itself, its treatment, or other related factors. The most common cause is the buildup of abnormal proteins (light chains) produced by the myeloma cells, which can clog the kidney's filtering tubules, a condition known as a myeloma cast nephropathy - which was my situation.
But wait, there's more: From the moment that I met my Onc (Dr. S.), his focus was on treatments that were tough on my cancer but kind to my kidneys. He was anxious to address and arrest the spreading myeloma, but he didn't want to throw me into a lifetime of dialysis in the process. (I remember that he called me back immediately after our first meeting and his initial detailed review of my bloodwork, to start chemo ASAP - to "save the kidneys.") His attention to my cancer treatment, with a sharp eye on my kidneys, even included making sure to avoid certain contrasts during testing, which can have an adverse effect on the kidneys - for those vulnerable such as I was.
But wait, there's more: As an ongoing reminder of my manageable yet mindful kidney concerns, I live with a consistent creatinine level of around 1.4 - average for a male my age is around 0.9. (FYI: when diagnosed with MM, I presented at 2.7 - Sam). (Creatinine is basically a measure of how well my kidneys are eliminating certain chemical wastes from my blood). Just another thing I need to be aware of but not aworried about - which is why I drink a lot of awater.
Recent events (my CAR-T procedure) have brought about a sea change in the treatment and prognosis of my Multiple Myeloma - but wait, there's more . . . and don't you (me) forget it. Not that I need to live in fear, but that I need to remain focused and vigilant about my health, my lifestyle choices, and my attentiveness to changes in my physiology that may be signs of changes in my cancer - and more than just aging or something to check out later-ish. Because, when you survive with cancer, there always could be "more."
