Good Day to All,

Hi everyone, it’s Mike writing this update again. I’m sorry I haven’t updated you since just before Christmas last year. But that’s because everything’s been going great.

In my last update I told you that I was in a holding pattern for my clinical trial. Today I’m no longer waiting. That’s because my clinical trial was canceled. First, there was no reason for me to go through another round of FT538 cellular infusions since my Mspike, which measures the level of myeloma in your system, was at 0.2.  That is the lowest level I’ve ever gotten to since I came down with my multiple myeloma. Secondly, Fate Therapeutics who sponsored the trial decided to discontinue it since they didn’t feel the results they were seeing were as promising as they expected. Therefore, I’m now back with North Memorial Cancer Center, formerly the Hubert Humphrey Cancer Center, where I’m receiving subcutaneous injections of Darzalex Faspro (daratumumab) every four weeks. This will continue until eventually, my myeloma becomes active once again. I’ve been receiving these injections for 16 months now, and hopefully they’ll continue for many more months, or until a cure is discovered. The good news is that I feel the best I’ve ever felt since coming down with multiple myeloma back in January of 2012. I’m not experiencing any nausea or other side effects, except for a little fatigue, but I just take a two hour nap every day to deal with that. The level of pain I have is still the same as it was in 2012. But I’ve just learned to live with it since it will always be a part of my life. Otherwise, I’m carrying on just like anyone else would who has a bad back, and I find that I need to use a step stool or ladder fairly often since I’m 4-1/2” shorter than I used to be. 

Another reason for this update is to bring to your attention my annual request for your support of my 5K Walk/Run fundraiser for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. It will be held at Lake Phelan Saturday September 9th, where myself, my wife Kim, and several members of my family will walk the 5 kilometers or 3.1 miles around the lake. Our team is called The Mike Schulz Marchers, and our goal is to raise as much money as possible for the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. We chose to participate in this organization’s fundraiser because over 90% of the funds raised go directly to research. When you have a terminal illness, research and prayer are your only hope for extending your life, and possibly finding a cure so you can live a full life. Research has paid dividends for me. Since I came down with this cancer, I’ve participated in two clinical trials(which are research), and 11 new forms of treatment have been approved by the FDA. One of those is Darzalex, which I’m on now. Not all 11 will work for me, but at least one has so far. Without research, it’s highly possible that I would not be here right now.

Today, the average life expectancy is just over 5 years, and I’ve been winning my battle for 11-1/2 years now. It’s my intention to be the first multiple myeloma patient to be cured. With your help, I can get there. If you’re interested in making a donation to our team, click on https://give.themmrf.org/team/469786, and it will take you to our team page. If a donation isn’t in the cards, please pray for me. Prayers are free and can make a difference for my life. I will update you again when I have new information to share with you. 

Sincerly,

Mike