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Just diagnosed. Haven’t yet met with oncologist.

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I’m sorry you’re facing this. There are no answers until you meet with the oncologist and get further information. We have a family friend with this cancer, he’s had it for about six years. He has an immunotherapy treatment once every two months. For two days following it he’s quite sick, doesn’t get out of bed. Then he’s fine and active, plays golf, volunteers, and stays busy until the next one. He says it’s worth the rotten two days. His oncologist says he will continue this way indefinitely. Again, no idea until you get further guidance. I wish you the best
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Reply to Daughterof1930
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The prognosis is best given by an oncologist. Many elders choose palliative care or hospice rather than, late in life, choosing chemo and other options. At 81 now, and a retired RN, this is my own choice with recent breast cancer. No chemo and no radiation. Just a lumpectomy. Any spread will be addressed with palliative care and then Hospice and our right to die laws in the Great State of California.
There will be information from the doctor and then there will be choices to be made given that information.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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Riverdale Jul 25, 2024
Have your health in my thoughts and hoping for the best for you.
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Try to get an oncologist that specializes in multiple myeloma. Multiple myeloma is fairly rare. The top docs for multiple myeloma are at University of Arkansas medical center. Outcomes are better with an oncologist that specializes in multiple myeloma.

You can consult with a multiple myeloma specialist then work with your local oncologist.

There have been a lot of advances in treating multiple myeloma.
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Reply to brandee
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You have to wait for the oncologist. It has to be staged in order to know the prognosis. You should be with her for support. Many people may retain half of the information once given
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Reply to MACinCT
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Prayers sent.
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Reply to Llamalover47
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I am glad you will be meeting with an oncologist.
The diagnosis, prognosis (likeliest outcome) and treatment options are best discussed with the care team.
I wish you the best of luck ongoing.
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Reply to AlvaDeer
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I personally have no clue but I will say I'm very sorry.

Is this you? A parent? You give us hardly no information.

The person with that cancer other health issues?

This is all and more information, we don't know.

But also we are not doctors, unless someone on the forum has been though this.

I'm very sorry
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Reply to Anxietynacy
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Google (always helpful) says that “overall five-year survival rate for people with multiple myeloma ranges from 40% to 82%”. It’s ‘multiple’ because most people when diagnosed have several cells affected. “It is not always considered terminal...There are a number ...of treatments ... which can control the cancer and prolong life”. So wait for more information.
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Reply to MargaretMcKen
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My step mother was diagnosed with this disease two years ago at the age of 79. Due to her age, the treatments are limited to the standard chemo therapy which worked for 10 months. When they noticed the M-protein number increasing so they switched to a second line of defense (another chemo). Based on my understanding, there is a third line of defense that has good results when the second one fails. Each chemo treatment has its own effectiveness and then the cancer "gets smart" and returns. On average, each chemo cocktail can last 10-12 months, before another chemo is used. It's important to ask the oncologist the cancer stage and if there are lesions on the skeletal bones. A doctor can provide some stats compared to other patients at the same stage.
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Reply to Caregiver2024
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My brother-in-law, Bill, has survived stage four multiple myeloma for 12 years. He has had surgeries, chemo, stem cell transplants, and a kidney transplant. My sister manages all the meds he is on. With her help and his will to live, he has broken records for this diagnosis. Today he looks and feels healthier than in years. There is hope out there but some of the treatments are intense.
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Reply to Della103
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