by actionmonth | Mar 29, 2018 | Myeloma Stories, Patient
My story of MM starts with a trip to the doctor for a routine physical. As part of my checkup, a CMP was drawn which showed an elevation in my protein level. I was called by the doctor who indicated she wanted me to have further tests because this elevation is seen in those with MM…a type of Cancer!! I was shocked, but thought to myself that so many advances have been made in the field of cancer…what were the chances this was a type of cancer which was unable to be cured?? The year was 2013. I was diagnosed with MGUS.
From there I established care with my oncologist. He informed there was about a 1% (cumulative) chance annually of converting to MM….not bad, I thought…in 30 years I would have a 30% likelihood of advancing to active disease and by then I would be 80 years old!! I blew those odds out of the water and was diagnose with smoldering myeloma in 2015!!
I entered a clinical trial, only to be placed in the control group of observation and progressed to active myeloma in 2017…began treatment (again in a clinical trial and, once again, placed in the control group of standard treatment). A stem cell transplant was performed over Christmas 2017 and I am currently recovering from that and beginning maintenance therapy. I can only hope and pray for continued advances in medicine to either cure this disease or make it a chronic disease which is highly treatable. I search for avenues to share with others to generate support. Programs such as Donate a Photo, Compute for Cancer, Mission Myeloma are just a few of the organizations funding research to search for cancer cures and spread the word about needed research. Pray hard and live each day to the fullest…we never know what life has in store for us!!
—Paula K.
by actionmonth | Mar 28, 2018 | Myeloma Stories, Patient
In 2013-14 I went from doctor to doctor to doctor…a 5 day stay in a hospital, trying physical therapy, pain meds, and injections at a pain clinic for about a year. During that year, of not being diagnosed with anything, bones in my back, ribs, and sacrum were fracturing. FINALLY, in June of 2014, I was put in touch with a VP from Spectrum Health, who is a neighbor of one of our daughters. I think my guardian angel was at work! 🙂 The first thing the oncologist, to whom she referred me, did was a hip biopsy & diagnosed Multiple Myeloma cancer. What a shock! I had always been relatively healthy and active, until I could no longer stand. My doctor, recommended a stem cell transplant and, after a bit of decision making time, I agreed to that.
That process took my blood through a machine that separated out stem cells. They were sent to a special lab to be treated, then returned, frozen, to my bedside for infusion back into me. I was in the hospital for 13 days (within the average) and did have a LARGE dose of chemotherapy before the infusion. Eventually, from that, I lost my hair, but it grew back quite curly. This entire process was not any fun. My taste buds had changed, and everything tasted like wet cardboard; so, I couldn’t swallow it. I was down to 105 pounds before I was able to eat again. My husband, the BEST caregiver ever!!! would strongly encourage me, usually to no avail – in fact, he did yell, but for my good.
When I first started seeing my oncologist, he said “the protocol I will put you on now, may be changed the next time I see you, because advances in this field are happening EVERY SINGLE day.”
I have been on many medications for pain and the cancer, including a VERY expensive one that, had I not received a grant, I would not have been able to afford. Through this journey, I have learned that there are many things I can no longer do (tennis, etc), but have found others I can do. I have learned that, when the pain in my back begins to worsen, I need to sit down which has never been me, but it is my “New normal.”
As of today, there still is no cure, but longevity has increased.
— Geri K.
by actionmonth | Mar 23, 2018 | Myeloma Stories, Patient
Much to everyone’s surprise, age 58 brought a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. It is an incurable blood cancer, with no clear and accepted treatment path and a limited life expectancy.
When one is no longer the medical provider and becomes the patient, they enter a community shared only by others faced with similar dilemmas and choices.
Judith have written and perform a solo piece entitled “Welcome to the Cancer Cafe – One W Woman’s Extraordinary Journey” as an educational tool with the hope of sharing her perspective of what this role reversal has taught her.
— Judith
by actionmonth | Mar 21, 2018 | Myeloma Stories, Patient
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on August 31, 2010 at 34 years old after suffering 2 unexplained rib fractures. I was blessed to see a physician who was familiar with myeloma and it’s symptoms and quickly tested me for it. I was referred to an oncologist and started treatment immediately. Since then, I’ve had two stem cell transplants combined with various medication therapies. I had great results from the first transplant.
I had five years with no signs of myeloma and even went 18 months without any maintenance medicine. In August 2015, my myeloma returned with new bone lesions and an increased M spike.
I started a clinical trial at UAB hospital where my primary oncologist is and began to prepare for my second stem cell transplant. This transplant was less effective than my first and saw an increased M spike within 2 months.
In July of 2016, I developed a large plasmacytoma that required radiation. Because of the progression, I was no longer able to participate in the trial through UAB.
My physician felt that daratumumab and revlamid was the best next step for me. With this therapy, my M spike went back down to zero and my myeloma progression has stopped. It has been a year and a half that I have been on this current maintenance regimen and I am currently showing no evidence of myeloma.
My advice to others out there with this disease is to have a good support group that consists of family and/or friends and find a physician that treats your whole family and is willing to fight for you. Find a physician that you trust wholeheartedly because myeloma is a lifetime disease. Don’t be afraid to switch physicians if you do not feel you are getting the best care.
— Tyler R.
by actionmonth | Mar 12, 2018 | Myeloma Stories, Patient
I was diagnosed in 2007 with Multiple Myeloma, and after chemotherapy as well as two stem cell transplants, I decided that I needed to do more for the Myeloma population. I helped to create the Annual Miracles for Myeloma 5K race/walk in New Jersey to help raise funds for the IMF in pursuit of research, and most importantly, to help raise awareness for this disease!
I felt that through this 5K, Myeloma patients would find some comfort and inspiration on the day of the race due to the camaraderie it brings to all patients and their families that are dealing with this terrible disease.
— Sheree P.
New Jersey, USA
by actionmonth | Mar 2, 2018 | Myeloma Stories, Patient
My journey began in 2001. I was working as a registered nurse, coming off of 3 back to back 12 hour shifts. My 11 year old had an away soccer tournament, my sister was going with me to drive and see the games. I felt extremely tired and felt like I was coming down with something. I couldn’t hold anything on my stomach. I had projectile vomiting, spontaneous nose bleeds, chest pain, and pain down my arm and an ache in my jaw. I thought I was having a cardiac episode or at least high blood pressure. It runs in our family history.
After the weekend I went to the ER where I worked. I was really sick. I also had lost 30 lbs. without trying and had pain in my ribs and tailbone area. My doctor and I attributed it to the hysterectomy for uncontrolled bleeding 3 months prior. I had blood drawn, urine test, and a chest X-Ray. It showed 3 broken ribs, pneumonia and my blood counts were all out of whack. Including my electrolytes, and also, my kidneys were shutting down and I was dehydrated.
The doctor said I had a classic case of multiple myeloma but he had to wait for the results of a bone marrow biopsy. Further X-rays showed lesions throughout my spine and a large one in the scrum (tailbone) area. Sure enough the diagnosis was multiple myeloma Stage 3+. I was admitted and the next day the oncologist came in and told me I had 6 months to live.
I was a single mom with 5 kids, my youngest 7 years old, and I was devastated.
The doctors that I worked with, came to visit and told me that if they were my loved ones, they would transfer me to City Of Hope and later that day I was transferred. The cncologist at City of Hope examined me then sat down to talk. He said, “I have examined you from head to toe and no where did I find an expiration date.” He told me to fight hard and together we would see my children grow up.
I underwent heavy chemo. I was put on the first and only myeloma drug, Thalidomide, and radiation on the biggest lesions and a Auto Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) a year later. I finally reached remission in 2002 and have stayed in remission, now 16 years later.
I have had many bumps in the road: 14 pathological fractures (hip replacement twice, right femur, 3 ribs, right collar bone, 5 compression fractures and both feet, the 5th metatarsals). I had breast cancer in 2006, both breasts with a mastectomy then a recurrence of the breast cancer on the right chest wall with a lumpectomy and radiation in 2015. I have had many removals of beta and squamous cell skin cancers since 2002. But, what is most important is that I am a Warrior and Survivor and Never Ever gave up!
I got to see all 5 of my children grow into adults, get careers, get married and I now have 11 grandchildren to see grow up. God has been good and by my side the whole way. I believe in the power of prayer and have seen miracles In my line of work and believe I Am One. If there has been a silver lining, it’s the incredible people I have met along this journey and the strength I never knew I had. I Am Proud Of The Warrior I Have Become!
My One Bit Of Advice: Go to a comprehensive cancer center that has specialists in multiple myeloma, that has access in the latest myeloma knowledge and treatments. New Information, medications and treatment plans are changing quickly. Over the time I have had multiple myeloma I have seen many changes, so you want to have your doctor to have the latest Information available. Knowledge is Power!
– Marcia H.
