MedWorm Tags: cell transplant

Dr. Berenson at ASCO in June 2011

beth's myeloma blog — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 18:59:08 +0100

From patientpower.info. Dr. Berenson talks about Zometa, Vitamin D, Calcium, Stem Cell Transplant and other treatments for multiple myeloma. Myeloma Update from ASCO from Patient Power® on Vimeo. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

New Stem Cell Research for Progressive MS

Life with MS — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 23:23:01 +0100

People with progressive forms of MS have long felt like they were on the sidelines of any MS treatment. Being that the largest population of people with multiple sclerosis lives with relapsing/remitting MS (RRMS), all of the disease modifying drugs have been tested on – and thus only approved for – RRMS. In a long-term study released today (March 21) by the journal Neurology, replacing bone marrow with autologus (one’s own) stem cells has shown success in slowing and even reversing the progression of so called “rapidly progressing” MS. According to the researchers, “chemotherapy drugs are used to kill all of the patient’s blood cells, including the immune cells that are believed to be attacking the body’s own central nervous system. Bone marrow stem cells removed from t...

Warm weather and shoeless feet

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 20:50:38 +0100

When summer comes around, the first thing I want to do is run around without shoes on. I hate wearing shoes, and the PN has made most shoes pretty uncomfortable for me. A few years ago, before I went in for my stem cell transplant for the treatment of my multiple myeloma, I was walking by the pool and I stubbed my toe on something. Toe stubbing is a more frequent occurrence for me now that I have neuropathy. It’s hard to keep track of just exactly where my feet are. Anyway, aside from hurting like the dickens, the toe injury included some broken nails. I thought nothing of it. A few weeks later, I had high dose chemo, which wiped out my immune system. In no time, I noticed that my toes were discolored and the nails on two of my toes were getting flaky. It was the weirdest t...

Rethinking a ‘Cure’ for Diabetes?

Diabetes Mine — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 13:00:04 +0100

Dan Hurley, award-winning journalist and author of the new book Diabetes Rising is turning out to have some controversial views. He certainly thinks about Type 1 diabetes — which he’s lived with himself for 34 years — in different terms than I do; he’s very focused on causes and prevention, while I’m just trying to [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine)

Diabetes Around the World

Diabetes Mine — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 13:00:00 +0100

Living in the United States, we are often stuck in a bubble of US-centric news. This is true for diabetes as much as any other topic. But as World Diabetes Day attests to, diabetes is hardly just an American thing. In reality, there’s much more going on in the global diabetes research arena than you [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine)

H1N1 flu that’s resistant to Tamiflu

beth's myeloma blog — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 04:52:45 +0100

I just read about a strain of H1N1 flu that’s resistant to Tamiflu. Four of these cases have been reported at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina. I wondered if it has possibly infected people in the transplant clinic? A friend had her SCT at Duke one year when the flu was rampant in the transplant clinic. She said that a few of the patients became quite ill. She had the flu herself. She recovered and had a second stem cell transplant. “All four of the North Carolina patients were hospitalized and were very ill with underlying severely compromised immune systems and multiple other complex medical conditions, according to researchers from the Duke University Medical Center. Three of the four died. No details have been released about how the patients caught the re...

Message from Pat & Pattie Killingsworth

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 19:34:42 +0100

Hi Beth- I attended IMF conference in Twin Cities last weekend. Some interesting opinions and exciting news about maintenance therapy with or without a transplant. Go to www.multiplemyelomablog.com and follow my reports. How are you feeling? Hope all is well- Pat Pat & Pattie Killingsworth Pat@HelpWithCancer.Org St Croix Falls, Wisconsin Toll-Free 866-336-1696 Possibly Related Posts: If you’re sick, please stay home! Big Medical Bills Balloon Kyphoplasty for Spinal Compression Fracture Multiple Myeloma Genome Unlocked CancerCare Launches New Program to Help Multiple Myeloma Patients Cover Transportation Costs (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Gloria Johns Was Told “Ovarian Cancer Patients Don’t Live Long Enough … To Have Support Groups;” She Proved Otherwise

Libby's H*O*P*E* — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 21:47:52 +0100

Every so often, you come across a story of hope, courage, and dogged perseverance that renews the spirit and lifts the soul. Gloria Johns’ story is a classic example. Gloria Johns is a 61 year old stage IV ovarian cancer survivor, who has battled the disease for nine years through five cancer recurrences. When Gloria [...] (Source: Libby's H*O*P*E*)

2009 Myeloma update

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 08:14:49 +0100

I don’t have a lot to blog about here because my myeloma has been stable since last fall. There’s not much there at all. If you don’t have myeloma, I have only a little bit more than you do. These labs were done 12/08/2008 IFE SERUM (2) MONOCLONAL IgA-LAMBDAS DETECTED BY IFE. SPE M-SPIKE 1 0.17 g/dL SPE M-SPIKE 2 0.12 g/dL IG FREE LIGHT CHAINS SERUM Reference IG FREE LIGHT CHAIN KAPPA *0.16mg/dL [0.33-1.94] IG FREE LIGHT CHAIN LAMBDA 1.85mg/dL [0.57-2.63] IG FLC KAPPA/LAMBDA RATIO *0.09 [0.26-1.65] IMMUNOGLOBULIN PROFILE IMMUNOGLOBULIN G *374mg/dL [588-1573] TEST REPEATED TO CONFIRM IMMUNOGLOB...

There’s a moon

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 06:10:12 +0100

This is a view of the moon through the clouds. It was such a striking image that I had to take a pic with my phone. The moon as seen from my back yard There’s a moon It’s in the sky It’s called the moon And everybody is there - The B-52’s As M knows, I can tell you (because I learned this from a recent dream) if aliens ever arrive on earth and try to kidnap us using their blue light, all we have to do is sing! They hate music, apparently. It drives them right off. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Send positive thoughts

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 23:28:33 +0100

I’ve been writing to Suleyman, who is in the Netherlands and is undergoing an allo stem cell transplant to treat and hopefully cure his leukemia. He had to undergo some high dose chemo (busulfan and cyclophosphamide). He’s having a rough time, so he needs some healing thoughts sent his way. The stem cells from his brother will take about three weeks to engraft. I hope I can get him to send a picture! (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Prognostic Factor for myeloma patients after ASCT

beth's myeloma blog — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:04:23 +0100

We report a prospective analysis of the prognostic importance of MRD detection by multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC) in 295 newly diagnosed MM patients uniformly treated in the GEM2000 protocol VBMCP/VBAD induction plus autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). MRD status by MFC was determined at day 100 after ASCT. Progression-free survival (PFS; median 71 vs 37 months, P < .001) and overall survival (OS; median not reached vs 89 months, P = .002) were longer in patients who were MRD negative versus MRD positive at day 100 after ASCT. Similar prognostic differentiation was seen in 147 patients who achieved immunofixation-negative complete response after ASCT. Moreover, MRD− immunofixation-negative (IFx−) patients and MRD− IFx+ patients had significantly longer PFS than MRD− IF...

Diabetes Research in the News: Viewpoints from the DRI

Diabetes Mine — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 22:53:45 +0100

Are diabetes headlines in the mainstream media mostly a bunch of hype, or do they bring us real hope for the future? The panel I moderated on this topic at the Diabetes Research Institute’s annual conference in New York City last week produced quite a lively discussion. I referenced all of your comments as well, [...] (Source: Diabetes Mine)

How I learned about Falun Gong

beth's myeloma blog — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:15:19 +0100

I never heard of Falun Gong before Saturday. I was at the National Book Fair in DC on Saturday when I met Mrs. Yan near the Air & Space Museum. She goes there every Saturday to draw attention to the plight of practitioners in China, who are persecuted by the government there. I asked her to tell me a little bit about her cause. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Good discussions over at HealthBlogs.org

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:02:18 +0100

http://lowsaltgirl.healthblogs.org/ - What are your ideas about cutting down on salt? I was personally never worried about it, because I never used to add salt to anything. Processed foods are packed with sodium though, and there’s the problem. Cindy has been keeping us up to date with her condition at http://cakassel55.healthblogs.org/. I think it’s good to read about other peoples’ experiences because they help us to recognize things when they happen to us. Margaret is trying to stay on top of a mountain of research, and posts it to her blog: http://margaret.healthblogs.org/. I’m about to give some of her experiments a try. I’m still stable a year after the SCT, and want to keep it that way as long as possible. I’ll post about some more blogs at ...

Labs at Duke

beth's myeloma blog — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 05:23:06 +0100

A couple of days ago I had blood drawn at Duke in Durham, NC. I should know in a few more days what the results are. They’re a little on the slow side where getting lab reports out are concerned. I’m not sure why it has to be that way. I haven’t had any tests since June, so I’m a bit anxious about it. I signed up for a course to learn how to shoot and edit video! I’ll let you know how it is and will be sure to share some of my work. Stay tuned. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients of 70 Years and Older With Multiple Myeloma: Results From a Matched Pair Analysis

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:27:37 +0100

This study showed that patients older than 70 years have outcomes similar to those in younger patients (<65 years of age). The treatment-related mortality rate and the kinetics of engraftment were similar between the 2 study groups. Despite a greater proportion of the older group of patients receiving a reduced dose of melphalan, no significant differences were evident with respect to response rate or time to progression between the 2 groups. This retrospective study showed a benefit for patients >70 years who underwent HDT for MM. Age alone should not be the sole factor used when evaluating whether a patient is eligible to undergo HDT. Dose reduction should be considered for the older population of patients when appropriate. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

IgA is pretty stable

beth's myeloma blog — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:33:11 +0100

This is a chart of my IgA values since before the SCT last summer. I stopped Velcade and Doxil in July, 2007 and the SCT took place at the end of August. This is quantitative serum IgA in mg/dL. The test on 10/11/2007 was the first one I had after stem cell transplant. I’ve never once regretted having the SCT, and only wish I had done it earlier. In my case, nothing was keeping the mm under control for very long. The SCT has allowed me to be off treatment for 10 months now, which is a long time for me. Duke allows me to look at my lab results online, and I’ve been waiting to see what my m-spikes are (I have two). So far, they’ve stayed under 0.5 g/dL when added together. That’s so much better than the 3.4 g/dL they were back in 2003. The reference range at Du...

Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease Web cast

beth's myeloma blog — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:58:01 +0100

I just got this via email. The National Bone Marrow Transplant Link is working with Dr. Steven Pavletic and his staff at the National Institutes of Health to develop a web cast on Coping with Chronic Graft vs. Host Disease. The 30-minute presentation will provide an overview of cGVHD, recommendations for care of the cGVHD patient, and personal reflections from current cGVHD patients and their caregivers. The web cast will be launched on our web site, www.nbmtlink.org late this summer. We are grateful to the National Marrow Donor Program for supporting this product (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

MMSupport.net unveils “Ask the Expert”, featuring Multiple Myeloma physician and scientist, James R. Berenson, M.D.

beth's myeloma blog — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 03:36:32 +0100

MMSupport.net unveils “Ask the Expert”, featuring Multiple Myeloma physician and scientist, James R. Berenson, M.D. Ask the Expert is a free online web-forum where Myeloma and Bone Cancer specialist, Dr. James R. Berenson offers medical answers to questions surrounding quality of life and longevity issues for patients living with this rare form of cancer. Los Angeles, CA – MMSupport.net and the Institute for Myeloma and Bone Cancer Research are proud to announce the creation of “Ask the Expert”, a free online web-forum featuring Multiple Myeloma expert, Dr. James R. Berenson. MMSupport.net is the creation of myeloma-advocate, Beth Morgan. The website serves to foster community in the form of an online forum where patients and caregiv...

Eye doctor

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:54:34 +0100

I’m seeing the doctor this afternoon about my left eye. Here’s where I’ll be: Carolina Eye Associates Here’s a new picture of what the rash looks like. Don’t click on the thumbnail if you don’t want to see it. I think it’s hideous. I try to stay in so that I don’t attract mobs of torch-wielding villagers out in front of the house. I’m still taking the 500 mg of Famvir three times a day and am taking some oxycodone as needed. I never thought I’d say this, but I wish I had some dex. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Another Progress Report on Islet Transplantation

Scott's Web Log — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 16:00:00 +0100

In my 2007 Wrap-Up and Outlook for 2008, I had noted some progress made towards curing type 1 diabetes. Specifically, I noted the work being undertaken by New Zealand-based Living Cell Technologies, Ltd. (LCT), as that company is now undertaking human clinical trials in Russia. I hadn't mentioned another company, this one based in San Diego, California named MicroIslet, Inc., a biotechnology company engaged in the development and commercialization of transplantation therapies for diabetes. I chose not to report on MicroIslet's innovations not because of lack of progress, but because MicroIslet is not as far along in trials of their product as LCT is with theirs. Perhaps did a disservice in not reporting it, therefore, I am reporting on their 2007 progress today.MicroIslet's innovation invo...

“Six Months” features MM Patient

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 04:56:44 +0100

I just ran across a program on the Biography Channel called "Six Months." The program is about people living with deadly diseases, one being multiple myeloma. If you’re on the US west coast or central or mountain time, you can still catch tonight’s showing. There are two more upcoming showings: Thursday, December 6 3:00am Saturday, December 15 1:00pm From the [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

This is a Neostar Triple Lumen Catheter

beth's myeloma blog — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 06:24:01 +0100

This is the Neostar triple lumen catheter I had at Wake Forest last year. It was noticeably heavier than the hickman double lumen. I had this thing in a plastic bag for almost a year. It had never been taken out and cleaned since it was removed, so you can imagine how gunky it was. [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Some lab values

beth's myeloma blog — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 00:55:24 +0100

I got the results of the tests done Monday at Duke. The full report was faxed to my office, and I haven’t seen it yet, but here’s what I have so far. M-Spikes (I have two m-spikes) Last month: 0.19 and 0.12 g/dL (Total is 0.31 g/dL) This month: 0.16 and 0.22 g/dL (Total is 0.38 g/dL) Immunoglobulin Profile Last [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Hair Update

beth's myeloma blog — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 00:02:00 +0100

I thought I’d give a visual progress report of my hair growth. Here’s a picture I took today. You can compare it to one I took on October 13, 2007. Kind of weird, huh? And, not too attractive. My hair started to fall out in September, after I had high dose chemo (melphalan) on August 28th. [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Hickman Catheter

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 12:06:51 +0100

This is a picture of the Hickman catheter that was installed in my chest for the stem cell collection and SCT during the summer. You can see a picture of the insertion site here. I got the idea of taking a picture from Eric Vogt, who photographed his from tandem SCTs. (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

New hat

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:07:10 +0100

This is a new hat brought to me from New Mexico by Sharon. Isn’t it beautiful? Here in NC, we’re under voluntary water restrictions due to extreme drought conditions. Some of the people in my neighborhood are ignoring it though. I’ve noticed a few people washing cars at dusk, so as not to attract attention [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Test results

beth's myeloma blog — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 00:04:56 +0100

I got the results of the tests done last week at Duke. The report states, “Compared to 8/3/07, no significant change in previously characterized IgA lambda components from 0.28 to 0.19 and 0.12 to 0.18 g/dL.” The PA let me know that it’s possible for the m-spike(s) to drop more in the next few months. [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Uncle Fester

beth's myeloma blog — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 18:51:59 +0100

I think I look like Uncle Fester. All I need is an ankle length black coat with a (faux) fur collar. If you run across anything like this, let me know. I need one for my wardrobe. You probably think I’m just joking! It seems like little bits of hair are starting to grow. [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

One Month Check-up

beth's myeloma blog — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 15:53:21 +0100

Tomorrow I’ll have my one month check-up. It will have been a month since I was released from the Duke SCT Clinic. I feel pretty well, with no major complaints. I’m filling a jug for them, and will have blood drawn when I get there. Aside from CBCs, it will probably be at least a [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Sir?

beth's myeloma blog — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 20:04:00 +0100

Why would anyone call me sir? I was pumping gas today, wearing my IMF cap to cover my bald head. I had on flowered pants and a neon orange t-shirt with a cartoon dog on it, for crying out loud. Plus, I’m only 5′ 5″ tall, not to mention other obvious attributes. There’s no way [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

I’m here

beth's myeloma blog — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:50:21 +0100

It’s been a while since I posted. I’ve just been taking it easy. I’ll have my (close to) 30 day check up at Duke soon, and maybe I’ll find out that my m-spike has gone down. My local doctor let me sneak in a SPEP a couple of weeks ago, and I was surprised to see [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Almost a week

beth's myeloma blog — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:37:08 +0100

Tomorrow it will be a week since I got home. I’ll have an appointment with my local oncologist for a blood test. I’ll have a weekly blood draw until I go back to Duke in about 3-4 weeks. I don’t even remember when my appointment is, so I’m counting on them sending a reminder! I [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Home at last!

beth's myeloma blog — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:10:17 +0100

I made it home yesterday. I’m SO glad to be here. I went straight to bed when I got home, and slept for what felt like forever. I got up at 5:30 this morning, walked the dog and then went back to bed until 10:30. It felt great to sleep in. It’s nice not to [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Day +14

beth's myeloma blog — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 15:58:10 +0100

I’ve just been told I’m going home tomorrow! I feel as well now as I did when I came in here, so I can only imagine that things will get better and better as time goes by. Years of drugs and chemo take their toll. This procedure will give me the best possible [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Day +13

beth's myeloma blog — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 22:14:25 +0100

My WBC today was 7.0! My HGB dipped a little to 9.8, and the platelets are at 23. This chemo experience was a lot like Cytoxan, in terms of what it did to my counts, with the exception of the WBC, which got to 400 at lits lowest. Overall, the experience wasn’t as horrific as I [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Day +12

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:13:40 +0100

The only thing I have to report today is that my WBC is 4.7! Can you believe it? As soon as I get the rest of the results, I’ll post them. It was mentioned that I might get to go home earlier than predicted. I forgot to mention that I had my head [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Labs

beth's myeloma blog — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 02:41:58 +0100

My WBC was 1.3 today, which is quite an improvement over yesterday (0.3). My nurse tells me it wouldn’t be a stretch for it be double that tomorrow. I could be going home as early as Friday. I hope I can. I’m 46 years old, but it bothers me that my parents don’t call every day [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Day +11

beth's myeloma blog — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 15:34:11 +0100

It’s been 11 days since the first day my stem cells were infused. Time seems to be passing by very slowly, which can be torture at times. I’ve been having some issues at home, which make me wish I was out of here and back home. My dog is going to be boarded [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Day +9

beth's myeloma blog — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 15:28:51 +0100

I had some good news today. My white count doubled! It went from 0.1 to 0.2. Progress is being made. I need platelets and potassium today, so I’m going to get hooked up and I’ll write more later. Joyce is in treatment area B, too, but she’s in a room by herself. I think that’s meant to [...] (Source: beth's myeloma blog)

Beth's SCT

The Beast... — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 22:53:00 +0100

Beth (Beth's Blog) is + day 5 into the stem cell transplant process.She even has video!So check out her site, leave a comment, and keep a good thought for her. (Source: The Beast...)