Bad day for dad

[Aerovette]

The official diagnosis will be Monday as far as I know. I expect the worst and hope for the best. That's all that can be done. Worry and sorrow will not change the outcome. We will get the diagnosis, the treatment options and let Dad decide, He has every right to be selfish in his choice.

[Aerovette]

My dad begins his chemo the week after next. Taking Velcade once a week for 15 weeks. This is going to be a tough time for him.

[Rodnok1]

Sorry to hear man, praying for a positive outcome for him.

[RMVette]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Sorry to hear man, praying for a positive outcome for him.

Agreed...

[Aerovette]

The official diagnosis is Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.

In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.

Treatment for multiple myeloma isn't always necessary right away. If the multiple myeloma is slow growing and isn't causing signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend close monitoring instead of immediate treatment. For people with multiple myeloma who require treatment, a number of options are available to help control the disease.
It's not clear what causes myeloma.

Doctors know that myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in your bone marrow — the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones. The abnormal cell multiplies rapidly.

Because cancer cells don't mature and then die as normal cells do, they accumulate, eventually overwhelming the production of healthy cells. In the bone marrow, myeloma cells crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to fatigue and an inability to fight infections.

The myeloma cells continue trying to produce antibodies, as healthy plasma cells do, but the myeloma cells produce abnormal antibodies that the body can't use. Instead, the abnormal antibodies (monoclonal proteins, or M proteins) build up in the body and cause problems such as damage to the kidneys. Cancer cells can also cause damage to the bones that increases the risk of broken bones.

They are telling us that they believe they caught this in its phase that is most treatable. Hopefully that is true.

[dwjz06]

Originally Posted by aerovette

The official diagnosis is Multiple Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help you fight infections by making antibodies that recognize and attack germs.

In multiple myeloma, cancerous plasma cells accumulate in the bone marrow and crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than produce helpful antibodies, the cancer cells produce abnormal proteins that can cause complications.

Treatment for multiple myeloma isn't always necessary right away. If the multiple myeloma is slow growing and isn't causing signs and symptoms, your doctor may recommend close monitoring instead of immediate treatment. For people with multiple myeloma who require treatment, a number of options are available to help control the disease.
It's not clear what causes myeloma.

Doctors know that myeloma begins with one abnormal plasma cell in your bone marrow — the soft, blood-producing tissue that fills in the center of most of your bones. The abnormal cell multiplies rapidly.

Because cancer cells don't mature and then die as normal cells do, they accumulate, eventually overwhelming the production of healthy cells. In the bone marrow, myeloma cells crowd out healthy blood cells, leading to fatigue and an inability to fight infections.

The myeloma cells continue trying to produce antibodies, as healthy plasma cells do, but the myeloma cells produce abnormal antibodies that the body can't use. Instead, the abnormal antibodies (monoclonal proteins, or M proteins) build up in the body and cause problems such as damage to the kidneys. Cancer cells can also cause damage to the bones that increases the risk of broken bones.

They are telling us that they believe they caught this in its phase that is most treatable. Hopefully that is true.

Prayers for the best outcome Jeff. Keep your spirits up, and help out the best you can.

[ZipZap]

I had cancer, not blood, that they caught early enough as well. Outcome was good. Wishing your dad the same. Medicine has become pretty good these days The hardest part for me was mental, so make sure he has the best support system available. Even just to talk/sit. It's scary shit and dudes like to act tough.

[RMVette]

Originally Posted by aerovette

They are telling us that they believe they caught this in its phase that is most treatable. Hopefully that is true.

Hope its true too!

[Loco Vette]

As always, pulling for you guys.

[Ms.Gem]

Originally Posted by Rodnok1

Sorry to hear man, praying for a positive outcome for him.

This...

[Vandelay Industries]

Oh man, that sucks. But that's great news about the timing.

Stay strong for your Dad....he needs that in this battle.

[MadInNc]

Jeff! Praying for ya🙏🏻 And more for PoPs🙏🏻 Thanks for update. Can they do marrow transplant ?

[Aerovette]

Originally Posted by MadInNc

Jeff! Praying for ya🙏🏻 And more for PoPs🙏🏻 Thanks for update. Can they do marrow transplant ?

Greatly appreciated.

At 82, that is a last resort/last option. It was discussed but the oncologist seems to be certain this will respond and thinks a transplant would be complicated by his age. It is apparently not a lot of fun to say the least. Not that chemo is, but unless they are minimizing this for some reason, it seems we'll see improvement in 10 weeks. At 6 weeks they will know if the course of action is effective, at 10 weeks he should feel noticeably better, and at 15 weeks receive the last treatment. I'm concerned because I couldn't find anything that addressed that short a term for treatment. Most had 1 year schedules with a 6 month evaluation. I'm hoping they are not sugar-coating it all.

[Aerovette]

I am humbled by the "Thanks" given in my OP. It means a lot to me and it will mean a lot to my dad when I share your well wishes. He sometimes forgets, as I do, that there is genuine "good" left in this world.

Thank you all !

[Aerovette]

In the waiting room. First chemo for dad coming up in 20 minutes.😷

[Steve_R]

Originally Posted by aerovette

In the waiting room. First chemo for dad coming up in 20 minutes.😷

Stay strong for him, he needs you. Good luck.

[bill_daniels]

I'm glad you're there to take care of him, Jeff. Stay strong, and stay dry.

[JetMechZ16]

I hope things go well for him.

[Rodnok1]

Positive thoughts for yer pops

[Rodnok1]

Positive thoughts for yer dad