The Journey
Hamada starts chemotherapy once more, this time with the drug Velcade combined with Dexamethasone.
Velcade is a newer type of chemotherapy – at least here in the UK – an anti-cancer drug called a proteosome inhibitor. In the UK it is allowed on the NHS to people who have already been treated with at least one other type of chemotherapy (Hamada has received several types from 2006 until a Stem Cell Transplant in October 2007)
Velcade is allowed on the NHS for first relapse after a Stem Cell Transplant or in persons unsuitable for SCT.
Tomorrow Hamada will receive Velcade by infusion combined with 40 mg Dex(over two days), this will be continued twice weekly for two weeks then 10 days rest and then repeated. He must reduce within four cycles or it will be withdrawn due to the enormous cost of the drug. Some people sail through the possible side effects some of which are very serious and so Velcade is not to be undertaken lightly especially when like Hamada whose blood is very damaged from previous treatments and his kidneys are compromised, it will be an extremely tough road to travel.
It is most levelling to watch as the disclaimer is signed, listing all possible side effects some of which, are most frightening but is there really a choice? Hamada is quite aware that while the Para protein (M-Spike) rises in such an alarming manner ,now at 18.6! something must be tried before even more damage is done to his bones and vital organs.
Multiple Myeloma is not for the faint hearted. It was never a choice but we stand firm and are ready together to once again fight this battle and we thank the patient doctor on Thursday, for painstakingly answering my long list of questions and helping us to arrive at this decision and to those he consulted regarding Hamada particular case.
We also thank our dear family, friends and fellow bloggers for all the wonderful support given, as Hamada continues his fight and journey with MM.
Breathe…
I will be thinking of you and Hamada as you begin this new treatment. Velcade has been good for Vern … and since he and Hamada have shared some similarities along their MM journey, I do hope the same holds true for Hamada. It wasn’t a walk in the park, but it was bearable. PN came but eventually left; I highly recommend nightly foot massages to help with that. More importantly, remission came – 2 years of it. Yes, the ol’ beast has returned now but once again Velcade appears to be knocking it back down, just a little slower this time since he’s receiving it only once a week now.
The infusion itself is one of the shortest, which is nice to not have to spend hours in the infusion room – and Velcade doesn’t affect the functioning of the kidneys … very important since V is on dialysis and H’s kidneys are compromised.
This horrid cancer can change so very quickly. As another MM caregiver said to me, “This disease is a sneaky devil….just when things are going well, it mutates into a very aggressive form.” We must stay ever vigilant. Are we in battle? You bet. And you have an “army” of people standing with you to fight this good fight.
Dianne xxx
Fervent prayers for you both. xa
I like your phrase, “Multiple Myeloma is not for the faint hearted.”
If Hamada develops hives from Velcade, it can be helped by a shot of benedryl and dex in the IV before the Velcade push. The hives are an allergic reaction that have made some people I know stop using Velcade, but I found that the benedryl and dex worked well for me.
Beth
Thank you for your good advice and support, thoughts and prayers as dear Hamada undertakes Chemotherapy once again. I make a note of all advice given and keep it by in case of need.
@ Beth Hamada is receiving oral Dex as a course 40mg twice weekly on the day of the Velcade push and the next day. I am also monitering his BP and Temp twice daily.
@ Dear Dianne I have read carefully your lovely advice and comments, yes the Velcade push is very quick but we have a two hour wait on each day while they spin and read the results of full CBC taken each time before the infusion, which makes it a long wait. We continue to wish Vern well – Dare I dream this will do some good?