2nd maintenance

Except for the time involved--another 4+ hours--there is nothing remarkable to report about my second maintenance infusion yesterday. (Perhaps, in itself, this is remarkable?)  All went swimmingly. I appear to have no side effects that are noticeable. I don't know if the cumulative 4 sessions of maintenance will result in something, but, so far, nothing.

ABJ  (my onc doc, for those of you who have forgotten) paid a visit to the infusion room and did his rounds, so in my turn, I took advantage to ask a question. I wanted to know the status of his other 2 mantle cell patients, both of whom presented before me. One got RCHOP, as did I, but without the Velcade. However, as maintenance, he gets Velcade once a week. Apparently this has been a good regimen for him, ABJ reported, since he has been symptom-free for a fair number of years.  (Velcade every week for years? Wow!) The second patient has not been so fortunate. As I understand it, he got the same regimen that I did (RCHOP + Velcade). His symptoms returned after 3 years. He is now undergoing, or has recently undergone stem-cell replacement therapy,  ABJ cautioned, however, that while younger than I (low 60s), this other patient presented much farther advanced. He also has some other general health issues.  I think that 3 years may have been the median outcome from the Cornell study/trial which we modeled my treatment after.  I did not find out, if the 3-year count was from diagnosis (bad!), end of intensive chemo (better!), or end of maintenance (best! since maintenance is 2 yrs in and of itself).  I will attempt to do so.  Ergo: mixed news. Nothing to make of it as we are all apparently unique cases. And in any case, these other outcomes won't change my behavior appreciably.  But, interesting to know.

I've put on a couple pounds. My daughter makes the most delicious pecan rolls (tutored in the past by her grandmother) and my fishing partner(s) and I take time out from that labor (!) to have coffee and a roll. A couple of these babies a week and voila--heavier.  Like this morning, for example. So I can fish the next day after treatment and my burgeoning good health--those near me say I look better and better and I feel good--appears to be a fact.  Off the sauce for the duration of maintenance. Shouldn't that help? Well, probably not, as it has become habitual to have a virgin tonic and lime (or 2) each evening.

Thanks to all who have taken time to call or email on my current status. It is very meaningful to me that you patiently follow my musings and think to get in touch. Couldn't do it without you all.

Back on again next week, unless things change.