I can’t talk about a success story quite yet because I’m just a few steps ahead of you in the process. I get admitted on Friday, starting the chemo, then my SCT is next week.

I can’t tell from your text if your doctor is just being vague or the fact that you’re looking for definitive answers to all your questions. I can relate to your frustration. I’m a IT Program Manager, which by nature we tend to be control freaks and try to drive towards perfection. I’ve got a great doctor at the Mayo-Phoenix. I’m fortunate enough to be local. It maybe that since he specializes in both CMML and Myeloma, he’s able to answer more of my questions directly.

But even with all of my doctor’s experience, his crystal ball can’t predict how my body will specifically respond to treatment. I had my last meeting with him on Monday to discuss what will happen over the next few weeks after being admitted. We talked about a lot potential symptoms and what to course of treatment would be if they occur. He could tell me with any certainty if I would experience none of them or all of them.

He also couldn’t provide definitive predictions to my long term prognosis. He did share that the in regards to CMML-1, the SCT has a high probability of being a cure. However, with my Smoldering Myeloma, the odds are significantly less, but there is a percentage of people that the SCT does provide a cure. He also informed me what the treatment would be if the SCT wasn’t a cure for the Smoldering Myeloma.

As an IT Program Manager I am always dealing with issues and my job is to always find a path to achieve the desired results. It’s hard for me to stop doing that in dealing with all the doctors, nurses, and hospital administrators. My decision was to proceed with the SCT, even with all the ugly side effects and symptoms, the outcome was better than doing nothing. The odds are in my favor for a successful outcome and I’m willing to endure the process to achieve success. If I fall short of that goal, then I’ll address those issues when they’re known.

I try to keep a positive attitude and don’t worry about potential issues outside of my span of control until they become real. Then I’ll address them, with the medical team to determine the best path forward.

I can’t speak to the knowledge, experience, and people skills of your doctor. If you aren’t happy, I would seek out a second opinion from one of the major cancer centers. Because I’ve moved this past year, I’ve been seen at three different hospitals. The first one was ok, the second one I wouldn’t recommend, and the third one has been pretty good. That one was the Mayo Clinic-Phoenix. Like I mentioned, I’m fortunate to live locally to it. Only you can decide if it’s worth the expense to travel to get a second opinion.

I also fully agree with all of @kt2013’s advice as well. I wish you good luck with your journey.