For many who go through chemo or radiation, there is a bell to ring when you are done with the final round. Kind of a cool rite of passage. For Multiple Myeloma, however, there is never a bell because there is never an end to treatment. (Well I guess there is a bell, but it’s at the top of a church. And I for one do not plan on that bell ringing for at least 30 years.)

Last week I finished Round #12 of “induction.” Today I did both a PET scan and a bone marrow biopsy for “restaging”. Monday, March 4, I will start Round #1 of “maintenance”. Only 36 of these rounds. Ha! The difference between induction and maintenance for me is less volume. Same drugs, just every other week instead of every week. And NO steroids! Sleep is in my future!

So to celebrate my transition weekend, I stopped for an ice cream cone on the way home. And none of that non-dairy stuff. This was the real deal. As you can see, I got a double scoop with a waffle cone. They were out of the chocolate dipped waffle cones or I would have gotten this as well. Maybe in 2027 when I finish maintenance.

It has been a good year. Jeri and I learned a lot. We got through the super emotional part. We are looking forward finding out how healthy we can get (in all aspects of life), and how much we can accomplish/experience together for the decades to come.

SHINE!
The Road Rider

PS I will not get the results of the restaging for 10-15 days. Look for Option B - Part 5 in mid-March.