Living with this diagnosis teaches you something very quickly: There are things you don’t get to choose. You don’t choose the numbers. You don’t choose the results. You don’t choose what shows up on a scan. And if you’re not careful, it can start to feel like you don’t get to choose anything at all. But that’s not true. Because there is still a place where our choice is fully ours. We may not choose what the test says. But we choose what we make it mean. We may not choose when we get checked. But we choose how we live in between. We may not choose what needs to be monitored. But we choose the relationship we build with our body. And that matters. Because there is a version of this path that is built on waiting, on scanning, on holding your breath between appointments. And there is another version. One where you live. Where you breathe. Where your life is not paused until the next result comes in. Not because you are ignoring anything. But because you understand something deeper: Your life is not in the test. It never was. So we come back here. Again and again. To the space where our choice still lives. In the thoughts we stay with. In the way we meet our body. In how we move through this day. And we protect that space. Because that is where life is actually happening. Not in the numbers. Not in the scan. Not in the next appointment. Right here. Where we still get to choose.

If this is not allowed please delete. A few months ago I started a podcast entitled “Through MYeloma Eyes” Here I talk about my stories, insights and lived experience from a myeloma survivor navigating life, identity and resilience. I invite you to have a listen via https://SolomonAlexis.podbean.com

FYA Antigen and FYA Antigen values Negative meaning

Have noticed, thanks to my Fitbit, my resting heart rate has lowered significantly since I started maintenance. Anyone else have this occurred?

HIV+ for more than 30 years, with undetectable status thanks to ART. Dx of Stage 1-2 IgG lambda MM t(11;14) 18 months ago. Responding, although slowly, to Venetoclax/Dara/dex therapy for past 6 months. M-Spike down to 0.7, and recently increased Venetoclax daily dose to 800mg (up from 400mg). Tolerating this regimen fairly well. Very interesting science with respect to B-cells, T-cells, BCL2 and the connections between HIV and MM. Have not encountered anyone else with HIV despite numerous inquiries in support groups & forums, specialists at UTSW and Mayo.

My M-Spike % a few months back began to rise from 0 beginning at: 2.7%, then 3.5, 4, 4.2, & currently at 5.3%. I'm on Dara once per month injection only. I immediately contacted my Doctor who advised me to continue thru my 6 month therapy regimen, & then meet in April. Is 5.3% considered alarmingly high? Also, how do you go about discussing changes in therapy? I've had a Stem Cell Transplant in 2021 that didn't reduce the cancer. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Ken