UPDATE: This turns out to be a lab screwup. Ignore it. Actual results here.
Today brings some very good news indeed—I think:
According to my latest lab tests, I no longer have any detectable level of M-protein. This is unexpected, since in June it seemed as if my CAR-T response had plateaued. But no. I'm just a slowpoke. Instead of the usual six weeks to a complete cure, it took me five months.
But I'm not quite ready to celebrate yet. When the test results came back, there was no report of M-protein at all. After some annoying back-and-forth with my doctor's office, I finally got a note saying that the lab doesn't return a result if no M-protein is detected. I'm just a little bit dubious of this, so I'm going to wait for next month's results before I feel absolutely sure that the cancer is gone.
That said: I'm apparently cancer free! No more multiple myeloma. I've had a "complete" response to the CAR-T, and further tests down the road related to something called kappa and lambda light free chains will tell me if I've had a "stringent complete" response—the best possible.
This is not likely to be a permanent remission, since "undetectable" doesn't actually mean zero, but it should keep me free of multiple myeloma for at least two or three years without chemotherapy. Hooray!
Fantastic is the word. Congratulations!
Parabéns!
(Portuguese for "Congratulations," not the preservatives used in pharmaceuticals, although you might well have some of those in your system, too.)
I don't even really know you and this is the best news I've heard in months. I'm so happy for you!
Huzzah!! Excellent news.
I rejoice with you, Kevin.
Fantastic news, Kevin! This longtime reader is incredibly happy for you!
I am not surprised that you are so skeptical, but I want to say congratulations regardless. This is wonderful. All of us here want you to be healthy for as long as possible.
Strange lab that doesn't return a result for the most significant possible outcome of the blood test. I mean, how difficult would it have been for them to say "No monoclonal protein detected at the limit of test sensitivity".
What a glorious piece of news.
That is fantastic - congrats.
Great news!
Excellent, so happy to hear it!
Really great to hear!
Great news. Hope it continues.
So great when good things happen to good people.
Great to hear--and I'll be waiting to hear the next set....
Wishing you continued health and wellness for many years in the future ???? Thank you for tracking this journey publicly.
Hooray, indeed, old dear friend I've never actually met
Excellent. Perhaps the long path to zero means that your system will remain stable at zero for a very long time.
Time to celebrate!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3GwjfUFyY6M
Tremendous news! And fingers crossed for next month's results confirming this. It looks like science really can get some things right!
After initial bad news, it is great to hear this. Stay well. Keep writing. - Harry
Terrific news! So glad to hear this!
Long-time follower from the Calpundit days here, and couldn't be happier for you now. I do understand the instinct, believe me, and I'm kind of the same way. But even so I'm setting up the single-malt for next month, pal.
I think that we are all celebrating with you & Marian - Hilbert & Charlie, too, of course. What a excellent way to get a good night's sleep before a wonderfull weekend.
Looking forward to many more years of your charts, analyses, & photos of the cats & the heavens.
Spectacular. Just wonderful. Really happy for you.
Congratulations Kevin, so glad the treatment was successful.
Kevin, can’t begin to tell you how absolutely thrilling this news is!!! Congratulations. Keep up the great work.
Insert some platitude about slow and steady and or tortoises versus hares here 🙂
Wow!
And, you lollygagger. It's about time!