I’VE BEEN RUSHING a little bit to get this blog going because of a pretty big milestone coming just around the corner.

The fact is that after nearly a year of drug treatments to beat down my Myeloma, I am now slated to undergo an autologous stem-cell transplant, beginning Sept. 22.

This is a big eff-ing deal, as you might imagine. Autologous loosely means “self-to-self,” so this procedure involves harvesting my own stem cells (now almost entirely healthy as a result of the chemo I’ve been receiving), saving them in the deep freeze and then returning them to me after a heavy chemo dose that wipes out everything else. After some weeks or months of recovery, I’ll wind up with a fresh immune system and hopefully years of symptom-free living.

A Gift to Myself

The stem-cell procedure has some significant differences from what used to be known as a “bone-marrow transplant”: Most importantly, there is no donor needed — I give the cells to myself. That means no worries about incompatibility.

The risks are lower in other ways too, and the entire procedure has progressed to the point where it is very nearly considered a “standard of care,” not just for Myeloma, but for other types of blood diseases, like leukemia.

Through a patient support group and in the infusion room at my clinic, I’ve met about 10 Myeloma patents here in Tucson who have benefited immensely from stem cell transplant. We have a superb facility here at the University of Arizona Cancer Center, and that’s where I’m headed in about 3 weeks.

Not every Myeloma patient opts for a stem-cell procedure. It’s a very individual decision that considers factors like age, other health problems, and personal preferences. You must be deemed medically eligible. There are numerous other treatments available, including some very sophisticated targeted drugs.

After many consultations and a lot of study, I’m quite certain transplant is right for me, and I’m truly excited to get on with it. I’m going after the big win — years of healthy living — and I have many reasons to be confident.

NEXT: Famous Myelomans

©2014 James Tenser