Roobeedoo asked:

Roobeedoo asked: "....the timing is a bit pants - I thought you were moving in July?
So... thick question - is evolution what happens to everyone with MM?"

We're actually moving in the latter part of June for a July 1 start date.

Ed has suggested I stop using evolution and call it mutation. They both arrive at the same point, but the connotation is that evolution is positive and lengthy whereas mutation is negative and rapid. It's a matter of perspective.

Cancer cells are mutated 'normal' cells. They replicate at tremendous rates. When subjected to environments that impair them, they evolve into something that isn't affected by the environment. The chemo and the radiation stop being effective because the cells have evolved from their original mutation into something that can easily endure the onslaught of modern science.

Despite the splitting of semantical hairs, the answer is "Yes". Evolution / mutation happens to every cancer patient in due time. I suppose there are treatment programs for certain cancers that are quick and complete.... that can excise the cancer with alsolute efficiency, never giving the mutated cells time or reason to evolve.... but MM isn't one of those cancers.

My little mutants have mutated once and evolved once. Hopefully the transplant will overwhelm them without overwhelming me.