Early Success

Alright, alright, alright. Berenson today. My first Berenson visit since going back on Treanda. One cycle down and it's already doing its trick.  "Excellent" is the word used by Dr B. We measure protein in the 24 hour urine and the percent of that protein that is the bad myeloma protein. Last month: Total protein-2,103 with 63% bad stuff. Today: total protein 1,908 with 54%. Do some math and my counts dropped about 24%. It's only one month, but a good start. Dr B also said that my kappa light chains dropped from 87 last month to 56 this month. He never paid attention before to my light chain numbers, but today he said that is the lowest they have been since I was diagnosed.  So we do a few more cycles of treanda (bendamustine) and then switch back to maintenance. That's the plan.   Next week is the start of Cycle 2: Treanda the Sequel.

I told Berenson that the family and I are doing a 10k in May to raise money for his non-profit research group, The Institute of Myeloma and Blood Cancer Research. He took us to meet one of the Institute's board members to see behind the curtain and see where the magic happens.  It was pretty darn cool. 80% of the donations to the Institute go directly to research, which is a pretty good percentage. I've set a goal of $10,000 for Team Goldman to raise by the time we run (walk) the event. Interested? Well, here is the link to read more and to donate: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mattgoldman/teamgoldman

Lastly, March Madness starts this week. You've got one day to join the Blood Cancer Bracket Challenge if you're interested. $20 buy in. Half of the funds go the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the other half is split 50% to 1st place, 35% to 2nd and 15% to 3rd. Brackets!!!!  It's fun, for a good cause and a chance to make a few bucks.  Send me your email if you're interested and I'll send you the link.