Dear Linda,
I am sorry to hear about your mom. My age is 53 and was diagnosed when I was 51. But I am glad that they are starting Velcade with newly diagnosed patients. I wish I had been able to use it as my first treatment. Would have saved me alot of pain. My counts are still within the normal range and I am doing great. From what my oncologist has told me that they are now discovering that Velcade is working much better than the stem cell transplants and a lot less invasive. It will be a yearin April since I had my one and only treatment and I am supprised with the results, considering what I had been going through 2 yrs previously. My IgG levels were @ 8000 + and now they are holding at 800. The Velcade treatment for me was like a walk in the park. Also because my system doesn't tolerate high doses of medication they gave me the lowest possible dose. I amazed the team of my doctors that the low and single dose worked. My thoughts and prayers are with you and you family, please give your mother a big hug and a smile from me and tell her I said hello. Sincerely, Darlene