Spoiler Alert...

Part 4: RISK, LUCK & FAITH

Okay, this is even later than my June post b-e-c-a-u-s-e the “wheels” of medicine grind even slower than federal government bureaucracy—unless of course you’ve been in a shootout of some kind then the people staffing hospital emergency rooms are a marvel in action to witness… Anyway, I have indeed decided to go forward with a CAR-T Cell treatment for my Multiple Myeloma.

What helped me to [finally] make this decision? One: the sharp deterioration over the last two months in my blood chemistry numbers. [Heading for the edge of a cliff tends to do that!] Two: discovering several protocol changes, modifications and improvements over the last 18 months gave me a higher level of comfort toward a positive outcome. With better preparation of the patient like checking possible allergies to certain medications and topping up each patient’s immune system with a gamma globulin infusion prior to treatment - made a significant difference.

RISK—Regardless of careful preparation there is still no guarantee of how anyone will react to any [cancer] treatment program. Some people ‘sail’ through with only slight discomfort, while others develop every side effect on the list. The text-book preference is my T-Cells will be harvested then sent hopefully to a highly dedicated biochemist [who isn’t dealing with a bad break up and/or didn’t graduate at the bottom 10% of their class]. In the hands of a keen, trusty scientist my T-Cells will be reprogrammed with the ability to identify the protein disguise that the misshapen myeloma cells ‘wear’ while they hide among normal healthy cells.

LUCK— Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy is a type of immunotherapy for some types of blood cancer. It works by turning your T lymphocytes (T cells) into more efficient cancer-fighting machines. In CAR T-cell therapy, healthcare providers introduce a new gene into your T cells that changes your cells so they can do more to detect and kill cancerous cells. In some cases, CAR T-cell therapy can cure blood cancer. Other times, it helps people with certain blood cancers live longer. [Clevland Clinic]

As you can see - all of this needs to go perfectly. This all begins toward the end of September. I’ll be in the hospital, isolated and watched hourly for the first 3 days after I receive my new [superhero] T-Cells. I’ll likely develop a slight fever while my new T-Cells are diligently beating back the myeloma invaders…But I intend to take you along with me.

FAITH—-As consumers when we seek the advice and counsel of an accountant or a lawyer or medical expert, that ‘contract’ is no different than engaging an auto mechanic, hair stylist, dentist or plumber. Each one is accountable and it’s in ‘our’ best interest to do some research into our specific case, so that we are an ‘informed-consumer’. [Keep in mind that with any personal need legal, financial…but especially medical, you only have one patient to consider - your doctor, PA, nurse, clinic - has several hundred.] SO, having completed your own medical-homework - at some point facing the jolt of a life-sizzling-outcome then trust the outcome will be what IT needs to be. And, relax… Thanksgiving 2024 could very well have even more meaning.