Pardon my delay in writing about how it went at Mayo last week. The bottom line: really quite well. We learned, according to 2 of 3 tests that measure the presence, or absence, of the mm, I have nearly 'no detectable mm'. The test performed were:
- M-spike: (results were 0.1 and need to be zero)
- Lambda Free Light Chain (results were within 'normal' range.)
That is amazing. It is cause for whooping celebration. I am so grateful for all the prayers and love that carried us this far.
We will continue with the treatment protocol, because while we cannot measure the mm in my system right now, it is likely there are remaining cancer cells in need of obliterating. We will end chemo treatments in June. At that point I'll travel back to Mayo for the 3rd test that measures for the presence, or absence, of mm in my system: the bone marrow biopsy. Also in June, the Mayo doctors will harvest my own stem cells for use during the bone marrow transplant.
It's at this point that we'll have some decisions to make. It really just comes down to when, not if, I'll have the bone marrow transplant...Will we elect for me to have the transplant this summer, or will we wait for the mm to reappear and have it then?
The team at Mayo evaluated my case and the majority of doctors on that panel suggested I proceed with the transplant this summer. While we're still thinking about it, that's probably the direction we'll go. August in Arizona! While Bryan might have chosen another destination to celebrate his 50th birthday on August 8th, we're delighted that will mean Bryan can celebrate his birthday with his dad too.
After we 'definitively' reach remission, the remaining issue will be: how durable is the remission? On the low side, the remission might last just a couple of years. On the other hand, no one really has any idea how long it will last. When the mm does return, and since there is no cure, we're told it will, we will resume the process we started in January. Our durable remission prayers are already underway!
Thank you so much for all your prayers and good wishes. You have given us untold strength! Thank you also for all the warm loving meals, playdates and errands. I have not written 'thank you notes', like I had intended. (My mother would be disappointed.) Please forgive my less than proper 'thank you'. If I were to thank you each in keeping with our true gratitude, I would need a billboard or a sky-writer.
Hugs!
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