Patient Success Stories

Relapsed Multiple Myeloma Patient Benefits from New Drug Therapy Through Clinical Research Study

Gerard McCarron (seated) with Ashraf Badros, M.D.

Currently enrolled in a drug therapy clinical trial at the University of Maryland Greenebaum Cancer Center, Gerard McCarron reflects on the ups and downs of his four-year battle with cancer and his decision to participate in a research study.

I am a four-year cancer survivor. I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in April 2002 and I began chemotherapy treatments that were considered the standard of care at the time. The treatments involved four-day stays in the hospital with a chemotherapy drip, followed by dexamethasone at home. This treatment was repeated every few weeks. By June it was becoming clear that the treatments were not having their desired effect. In fact, the cancer was quite aggressive. It was at this time that my oncologist, Dr. Paul Chang, asked me to consider the possibility of a stem cell transplant using my own stem cells.

The estimate was that without a different intervention I had about three to four months to live. Dr. Chang contacted the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center (UMGCC) and asked that they consider me a candidate for a stem cell transplant. I was not at all sure how anxious they would be to have me. After all, I was 67 years old, and a high-risk candidate with an aggressive cancer.

Fortunately, Maryland accepted me into the program, and in June I began the process of preparing for the transplant. I took the necessary physicals, scans, and tests. My stem cells were harvested and frozen. Step by step I moved toward the transplant.

I met with Dr. Ashraf Badros (assistant professor of medicine in the University of Maryland School of Medicine and a nationally recognized expert in multiple myeloma). Dr. Badros developed a treatment plan that worked extremely well. Prior to the transplant he recommended that I undergo additional chemotherapy in an effort to knock back the cancer. The treatment involved a four-day stay at the cancer center with a strong chemotherapy drip and taking thalidomide. This treatment proved to be quite successful and it had a favorable effect. But additional treatment was required. By September 2002 I recovered from the chemotherapy treatment, and I was ready to proceed with the stem cell transplant.

I regard myself as very fortunate to have received my treatments and to continue to be treated at UMGCC. During the six weeks that I was in the Bone Marrow Transplant unit, the doctors, nurses and aides provided excellent care. The physicians who treated me were knowledgeable, professional and caring. The nursing staff was efficient and supportive. The nurses’ aides were caring and encouraging. All were very respectful and kind. More than once they lifted my spirits. It seemed to me that the entire unit was geared to my recovery. I cannot say enough about the professional and competent care that I received in the BMT unit.

I left the stem cell transplant unit with a small trace of myeloma still in the blood. I continued my care at UMGCC under Dr. Badros’s supervision, and I learned to live with a compromised immune system. As my strength returned I was able to enjoy a more or less normal life. Over a period of time and taking a dexamethasone therapy, I did experience a remission, from December 2002 to April 2005.

In April 2005, I had a setback and suffered a heart attack. Fortunately, there was minimum heart damage, but I suspended my maintenance program to allow my heart to recover. By September 2005 I relapsed, and the cancer was back. This time the dexamethasone treatments were not having the desired effect and the multiple myeloma markers were on the move up again.

Facing a new situation, Dr. Badros and I discussed the various treatment options that were open to me. In the four years that I was treated for multiple myeloma, medical science was developing a number of new drugs and procedures to fight blood cancers. Although still in clinical trials, the drug revlimid (lenalidomide) was having encouraging results for relapsed multiple myeloma patients. Fortunately for me, UMGCC was conducting a clinical trial for a Revlimid/Dexamethasone study with Dr. Badros as the principal investigator. I requested to enter the study.

My earlier treatments and experiences had a great deal to do with my decision to enter the Revelimid study at Maryland. I had received such good care during my transplant and during the four years of treatments, that I have great confidence in being there. It is clear to me that UMGCC is in the forefront in fighting multiple myeloma using the latest drugs and knowledge to help me fight my cancer. Just as important, they have created an environment of support and help at the hospital that my wife and I appreciate very much. In other words we trust them. We have confidence in them. We know that they are working in our best interest. That means a lot. It made my decision to enter the study so much easier.

Another reason that I am willing to enter the study is that I have great support from my family. My three daughters and my son have been there for me through this entire journey. Without doubt, my most important caregiver is my wife, Mary Elizabeth. She is with me every step of the way on this journey -- my guide, confidant, supporter, prayer partner and cheerleader. I cannot stress enough the importance of prayer. The prayers of my family and friends and their love and concern were a huge part of my recovery. Also, I am constantly impressed with the courage, strength and determination of cancer patients and their caregivers who fight this dreaded disease. They are an inspiration to me.

We are all in this fight. In the last few years medical science has made considerable progress in discovering new drugs and procedures to fight multiple myeloma. Clinical trials have played an important role in bringing these advances to the public. Even though clinical trials involve risks known and unknown, they are worth undertaking. The importance of participating in the study was brought home to me by my son, who reminded me, “Dad, you know that other people are going to benefit from people like you and others who take part in the study.” We are all working toward a cure -- hope today and a cure tomorrow.

This page was last updated on: January 24, 2007.