Hi Jan and Kevin (it's DebJr) - thanks for your replies.
Kevin - My dad was Stage III because he was well into it by the time he was diagnosed, with severe bone damage. Multiple lytic lesions in both hips/pelvic area, etc. And then a severe compression fracture of the spine, to top it off. When he was diagnosed, the IGA was 3400. Also, according to the orthopedic we saw once, he has almost no cartilidge left in his left hip / a giant cavity.
(p.s. - i'm still not sure what 'M-spike' means exactly)...
Hope you are doing well and wish you positive energy in your new transition. Please update us with how you are, whenever you feel like.
Jan - As usual, your info was very helpful. Thanks for taking the time. Hope your husband is hanging in there, and you too.
And if any Velcade users are reading this, can you tell me for about how long/how many cycles was the Velcade effective for them, before the Myeloma became active again? Also, if the IGA was decreasing successfully for about 5/6 months, and then increased a bit for the first time in months (although only by 15 points) -- could that be an indication that the Myeloma is on its way to return? My dad has been (doing well) on Velcade for 6 months - although after the first month/cycle, he now only receives it once a week (instead of twice).