blood problem

My father is 59 yo and is a MM survivor for 5 years. He has had a bone marrow transplant when he was initially diagnosed, rounds of chemo, had his spine repaired and is on medication. Two weeks ago his cancer came and the Dr. prescribed 30 days of outpatient radiation, plus they are suspecting leukemia but it's not diagnosed yet. Meanwhile, he's back on revlimid, even though he was off for more than a year and was doing great. He's going for a blood transfusion today. and then i dont even know what will happen. Anyone has any advise? I am afraid to call the doctor to hear something terrible...

Is the blood transfusion for red cells, white cells or platelets??  Don't be afraid to ask questions!!  Knowledge is power and it's the only way your father can make informed decisions.  Make the doctors,nurses and others talk - it's part of their job.  Ask lots of questions until you understand - it often makes you feel better because you understand what's going on.   Hope everything turns out okay.  Stay strong.

From Anna,

Hi Shpulka, Welcome to the group.  Leukemia is a blood cancer and MM is also a blood cancer but it involves the bones and plasma as well so I'm confused about them thinking he also has Leukemia.  Dad was in remission for 5 years after 2 stem cell transplants. He's been out of remission for almost 7 years now. He's been off and on chemo all this time.  Right now his off cause the Revlimid caused a blood clot in his leg. It can cause blood clots in some. It has him before.  Don't have an ansewer to your question. Or maybe something I said here will help.

Your friend,

Anna

Both his red and white blood cells counts are very low, since he went back to revlimid two weeks ago. i think that's what transfusion is for.

On Oct 29, 2009 3:24 PM Anna9563 wrote:

From Anna,

Hi Shpulka, Welcome to the group.  Leukemia is a blood cancer and MM is also a blood cancer but it involves the bones and plasma as well so I'm confused about them thinking he also has Leukemia.  Dad was in remission for 5 years after 2 stem cell transplants. He's been out of remission for almost 7 years now. He's been off and on chemo all this time.  Right now his off cause the Revlimid caused a blood clot in his leg. It can cause blood clots in some. It has him before.  Don't have an ansewer to your question. Or maybe something I said here will help.

Your friend,

Anna

Hi Anna,

Thank you, wish i didn't have to be here:(

Leukeimia is one of the side effects of MM. Glad to hear your dad's story. So he's been living with MM for almost 12 years? 

I don't believe Leukeimia is a side effect of MM...I've never heard of such a thing.  Instead, it's a possible side effect of chemo.  Nearly every disclaimer I signed prior to receiving chemo stated the possible danger of developing leukeimia and other secondary cancers. 

It doesn't sound like it has been that long since your father started treatment.  I would suspect either a drug reaction is causing the drop in blood counts; or, his myeloma is back. 

But I'm just a patient, so hopefully your doctors can figure it out soon.

Best of luck

From Anna,

Hi Shpulka, Yes it will 12 years in April of next year. He was in the last 2 stages when they confirmed what he had.

Your friend,

Anna

From Anna,

Hi UTboy, That's interesting about the other cancers for some because of the chemo's.  Never heard this before.  If Dad knew his he never mentioned it.  Maybe he didn't want to freak Mom or me out.

Your friend,

Anna

On Oct 30, 2009 12:00 AM UTboy wrote:

I don't believe Leukeimia is a side effect of MM...I've never heard of such a thing.  Instead, it's a possible side effect of chemo.  Nearly every disclaimer I signed prior to receiving chemo stated the possible danger of developing leukeimia and other secondary cancers. 

It doesn't sound like it has been that long since your father started treatment.  I would suspect either a drug reaction is causing the drop in blood counts; or, his myeloma is back. 

But I'm just a patient, so hopefully your doctors can figure it out soon.

Best of luck

You are probably right about leukemia being a sideeffect of chemo. I'm still learning all this, as my parents try to keep me in the dark so as not to worry me.

Does revlimid has these side effects that affect the blood so drastically? Apparently, his platelets, red and white blood cells are significantly down. Dr is saying radiation is treating MM and it's working well.

On Oct 30, 2009 1:51 PM Anna9563 wrote:

From Anna,

Hi Shpulka, Yes it will 12 years in April of next year. He was in the last 2 stages when they confirmed what he had.

Your friend,

Anna

Hi Anna,

So was my dad.