Relapse

Well, the unthinkable has happened. I must admit I had not really considered it possible. I've been doing so well since the stem cell transplant four years ago. All the pains I've had I chalked up to getting old. I mean, what 60-plus-year-old has a back that doesn't hurt? Who doesn't climb out of bed in the morning at the speed of a sloth, stretching slowly to work out the stiffness? If you haven't tried shots of pickle juice (I like mine with lime) to keep the Charlie horses away at night, you're truly missing a great remedy. In hindsight, there have been telltale signs that something was amiss.

I turned to MD Anderson after Mayo told me they didn’t have room for me. My purpose was to explore MRD, minimal residual disease, therapies. My doctor at MD Anderson, Oren Pasvolsky, talked to me about it in depth, answered all my questions, and advised I would need to have some tests run first, especially noting the uptick in my Kappa light chains. (For a refresher about Multiple Myeloma, click here.)

So, I am on my way to Houston for the second time in less than two weeks, this time to undergo a bone marrow biopsy, my fifth since 2020. My last one was two years ago and much has changed in my body since then. I will fill you in as quickly as I can over the next few weeks, but as always, I ask for your prayers as you accompany me on this next leg of my journey.

A solitary green plant symbolizing hope in a time of uncertainty.