I was diagnosed in March of 2013. However, I believe that it had been coming on for for several vears. before I was diagnosed. I was having balance and walking problems. I just did not feel right and knew that something was wrong. Then in November of 2012, I had severe back pain. Found out from My Family Doctor that I had a Fractured vertebrae (3 of them). All repaired by invasive procedure. I thought that once the vertebrae fractures were repaired that I would be free of pain. Not so. I continually have what is called bone pain.and it also is worse in cold weather. I have to be careful with putting pressure on my ribs, because they fracture very easily. I am presently on revlimid (10mg) one daily and dexamethasone (on Monday) and I get an IV of Zometa (bone hardener every 28 days). MM is treatable, but not curable. Overall, I am thankful because I know that there other patients at The Florida Cancer Center that are lots worse off than I am. We pray every day and thank the lord for what I have and thank him for being so kind and loving and caring.We know that he is there.
— John B.
Dear John,
Wow, you hit the nail on the head, John. I too was diagnosed rather late. I had a complete physical in September 2011, and was diagnosed six months later in stage 3 Multiple Myeloma. My GP, who did the physical, missed quite a few signs. I had been to her office several times in the past years with what I thought were broken ribs and she thought were just muscles. There were several other signs in my blood work that should’ve been picked up. Obviously, I’m rather disappointed in that. When your own head says something about your body, believe it! Four months after that initial physical, I had two compression fractures in my back. After six months of intense pain with the fractures, I was finally told about a procedure called kyphoplasty. I feel that procedure probably did more for instant gratification than anything I could have done so far to date, I’ve also broken 13 ribs.
I had a stem cell transplant one year ago March 3. Quite a procedure! I was put on Revlimid for maintenance six months after transplant, but could not get along with it at all. So came totally off, and watched my numbers go up month after month. Just started Pomalyst and dexamethasone. Haven’t had the first blood test to tell how it is doing.
I think the biggest thing for me is that I miss my old life.. I try anew day after day after day, with no results. It seems it does captivate your mind no matter what you do. It was really hard not to think about it when I first fractured my back as I was in a cast from my neck to my groin for six months. I sell real estate for a living, and am still going at it, but it is getting more difficult as time goes by.
If it weren’t for Jesus Christ in my life, I really don’t know what I would do. I thank Him daily for blessings also. I look at other people in the different treatment centers, and wonder how in the world they make it without Him! I feel so sorry for them. You can just see the fear on their faces. I have no fear because the Lord is with me, and never have since the very first day I was diagnosed. I wish everybody had Him in their lives. I don’t know how I would make it through this without him!
Blessings,
Jean