After 2 very long months I’ve finally started a myeloma trial. The delay was due to waiting for a new CAR T-cell trial to be approved and to go through the many screen tests. I passed all these but sadly, after a frustrating wait, a few days ago I was randomised to the drug arm of the trial. That was difficult to process as I am the first and only trial patient for Australia for this trial right now. Eventually it will include 50 patients at Peter Mac, one of 15 trial centres running this trial around the world.
The drugs (Dara and Carfilzomib plus high dose steroids) have proven to be very effective individually so I’m hoping for a double whammy to knock the myeloma into long term remission.
I’ve been on my own for the past 6 weeks but for the next month I’ve got my niece Rosie, sister Margaret and son William coming to support me.
Your donations have been appreciated more than you know it. William is at university and it has paid for his trip. I’m here for 6 further months now so I plan to put funds aside for more of my family to visit me. It’s a huge help with my day to day living expenses too. Thank you for your kindness. Diana
This photo was from bone marrow biopsy day - probably the most unpleasant part of my trial process and one that I’ll have to repeat with ongoing reviews.