To all
I’m in my second cycle of VRd for multiple myeloma being treated at the University of Virginia Cancer Center. So far so good. The only reaction has been constipation. My bloodwork is showing good improvement. My bone pain and itching are gone. I am scheduled to have my stem cells harvested after cycle 4. This is for storage. Hopefully I’ll never need to have a transplant. I am still in a clinical trial for CAR T cell therapy. I will be randomized after cycle 6 to either continue with VRd or do CAR T. I’m a stage 2 patient due to a deleting P17 chromosome.
A note about the constipation. It is very uncomfortable and causes pain around my lower rib cage. I am treating with both colase and Miralax. These otc remedies have not been too effective. I’ll let everyone know whether or not I end up doing CAR T and how it goes.

To All
I am in my 5th cycle of VRd. I took a 2 week break after cycle 4 to harvest stem cells for storage. I was able to complete the harvest in one 4 hour apheresis. I will be randomized for CAR T cell therapy as part of a clinical trial after my 6th VRd cycle. Velcade is causing severe constipation and neuropathy. I am treating the constipation with daily Miralax and Colace. This usually doesn’t work so I take RX Constalose every other day. It is pretty aggressive. The neuropathy is primarily in my feet. Worse at night but still manageable. I am taking gabapentin but I can’t tell if it is helping. My hands are still pretty good. Overall I’m doing ok. My m protein has dropped to .2. It was 2.56. So the chemo is working. I’ll update when I find out if I will be doing CAR T.