182: Thomas Goode survived multiple myeloma | doxil | plasmacytoma | engraftment | vorinostat | velcade

It wasn't easy, but Thomas Goode managed to survive Stage III multiple myeloma, a rare form of blood cancer that originates in bone marrow.  When he first experienced pain in his left shoulder, it was misdiagnosed as bursitis.  Then he underwent a stem cell transplant no less than three times, with his oldest brother donating the bone marrow for the final two procedures.  Thomas has achieved Minimal Residual Disease status and says his physical health is roughly 70 percent of what it was, pre-diagnosis.   In 2005, Thomas Goode was leading an active lifestyle.  It included bicycle riding and working out.  But when he was on vacation with his family, he went to the gym and suddenly experienced acute pain in his left shoulder.  He went to his family doctor who said Thomas had bursitis and prescribed pain pills.  Thomas was skeptical of this diagnosis because it came because no scans were performed.   He sought a second opinion and went to his orthopedic surgeon.  The doctor called for an MRI and it revealed a tumor near his shoulder and said it was the source of Thomas' pain.  He had the tumor biopsied and it showed a plasmacytoma, cancer that progress to become multiple myeloma.  Thomas underwent six weeks of radiation treatment.  The pain went away, but it returned.    Thomas' multiple myeloma specialist suggested a stem cell transplant, an option Thomas accepted.  It began with induction therapy, backed by doxil, vincristine and dexamethasone, aimed at bringing his white blood cell down to a number that would allow for a stem cell transplant.  However, the procedure didn't work.  The specialist recommended a second stem cell transplant.  Thomas learned his oldest brother was a perfect for a bone marrow transplant.    The second stem cell transplant included compath, fludarabine and melphalan.  It also didn't work, so a third one was performed with velcade, doxil and vorinostat.   Thomas followed this with eight days of radiation.   His care team proclaimed Thomas is Minimal Residual Disease-negative.    Thomas Goode says his health is about 70 percent of what it was before his diagnosis.  He can still work out but acknowledges he will always have some level of back pain.   By way of advice, he would tell anyone diagnosed with multiple myeloma that the disease is not a death sentence.  He says that's because there are more treatment options and better treatment options than when he was diagnosed. Additional Resources: Thomas' Support Group: Triangle Area Myeloma Support Group