As a 16-year survivor of multiple myeloma, when I was given the opportunity to attend the May 3-6, 2011 International Myeloma Workshop in Paris and blog about it from a patient's perspective, I said "absolutely."
After all, the ASH (American Society of Hematology) conference was only five months ago, but so much has happened since then. I'm looking forward to passing along that news to you in this blog.
For example, one of the studies the IMF is excited about shows overall survival on maintenance for the right myeloma patients. Other news we'll be hearing from presenters in Paris are updated results from trials using Carfilzomib, Pomalidomide and many more drugs.
A bit of background about me: Sixteen years ago, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 multiple myeloma. In 1998, I had a full allo transplant using my sister's stem cells. While I battled graft-versus-host disease and had three plasmacytomas radiated during the next two-to-three years, I've been in a complete remission with no treatment for the last eight years.
However, I believe that one day my myeloma will return. While I'm not medically trained, I've stayed in close contact with the myeloma community and seen amazing research and treatment results over the last 10 years.
I've been fortunate enough to have attended the last five ASH conferences and shared results with our S.F. Bay Area myeloma support group and others around the country.
The Paris presentations, according to the agenda, will start before 8 a.m. and continue until at least 7 p.m. I am excited to share what I learn from this jam-packed event with you!
Stay
tuned...
My husband was diagnosed in January 2004 with Stage III Multiple Myeloma. He started with a plasmacytoma on his back that ate away a complete vertabrae. He also recieved two stem cell transplants, the last one being his sisters stem cells. He is currently three years in remission. We live in Michigan and he has received his treatments at the University of Michigan. I am really interested in your trip to Paris and all the information that you will be writing on. Please keep us all informed and have some fun while you are there too! Cyndi (Dave is my hubby)
Thanks for your note Cyndi and I wish you & your hubby the very best. I was also diagnosed Stage III 16 years ago and so remember very well being bewildered and overwhelmed by a disease I had never heard of. The good news today is that there's so many more treatment options available and a better understanding of side effects and risks. However, there's a long ways to go and I'm looking forward to sharing new developments from the Paris Intl Myeloma Workshop next week.
C'est tres magnifique!
I'll share this with my brother so he can get the latest news from the conference.
Au revoir,
Joan