I relapsed after 15 months. The second sct would have given me half of that since that’s been the normal. So there would really be no point in going through all that for 7-8 months. Heck no. Carvykti was put on the table immediately.

Hi Zo,
Hope I have your name correct.

I have ultra high risk cytogenetics in my myeloma and I could not collect enough stem cells for two transplants, so I had the one, I am now 119 days post transplant. My blood looks good and just had the bone marrow biopsy (MRD test etc) yesterday to find out the depth of my remission, MRD negative or positive and I do think they will have more info as they did 3 sites, MRD, morphology (where they have a close look at the cells) and a biopsy.
With the meds and therapies today, a tandem (second) transplant is not as common, and patients are doing very well after one and then onto maintenance.
I am feeling great!👍 Lots of energy, exercising etc.
We are so lucky to have science where it is today!!!
Any more questions, don’t hesitate to ask.
Also, just to let you know, based on the biology of my illness, I will be on a 3 drug maintenance, Dara, Len, and Velcade. My doctor said if I am not at MRD negative now, I will get there with the maintenance regimen.
My maintenance has to be a little more aggressive than the standard risk patients, but that’s ok, just hope when I am MRD negative that they can eventually cut down to two drug etc…
Right now, once a patient is sustaining MRD negative (-6, NOT ONE myeloma cell in a million cells) for 5 years, they can go off of their meds, is what I understand, some doctors will say they are cured.
But we cannot forget something that is key, we are all unique and react differently etc, it is personalized medicine, in my eyes.
One day at a time, I have to keep reminding myself.
I am happy that I did not have enough cells for a tandem as my transplant went well, thank gd, but to have to have that Melphalan (old and very strong chemo) again, with the chances of big problems down the road, and to lose my hair again, no thank you!! It’s growing well!!

Talk to your doctor about this and I hope you find peace with whatever you choose. All the best in health to you!
Marcie Albert
Toronto,
Canada 🇨🇦