Two months ago after a year and a half of repeated spinal fractures my father became disoriented and we admitted him into the hospital. They had previously blamed those fractures on a fall he took. After a week and a half in the hospital they finally discovered his calcium levels were through the roof. After several tests they said he had Stage 3 multiple myeloma with several lesions on his skull, and it has metastasized.
Two months later with dex and Velcade no remission has been achieved, and we start Revlimid Sunday morning. An RN told us to enjoy the holidays as he won't see another one. I have yet to read where anyone diagnosed at this stage at this age has lived long.
He's 83 and not a candidate for a stem cell transplant and fears chemo. Today he asked me if there was a cure for this and I told him I just a hope of remission. He said so I am stuck with this? I told him sorry dad, but yes, and you're stuck with me and my wife too as we have moved in with him to care for him.
Thanks for reading.
Forums
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
Gdhurst61 - Name: Glenn
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Two months ago, stage III
- Age at diagnosis: 83
Re: 83-year-old father diagnosed with multiple myeloma
Hello! Welcome to the forum, but I am sorry that your father is going thru a difficult time with myeloma. I hope that the Revlimid helps him to get into a remission. It sounds like you and your wife are very concerned caregivers and are helping him with his daily life. Good luck and I hope you enjoy your holidays together.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: 83-year-old father diagnosed with multiple myeloma
Thank you. He is on a pain management regimen of fentanyl and hydrocodone, but still has pain. Tires easily and all his blood platelets and cell counts are low. He was once a very strong independent man, this is wearing him out.
Thank you again for your response, it helps reading these comments
Thank you again for your response, it helps reading these comments
-
Gdhurst61 - Name: Glenn
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Two months ago, stage III
- Age at diagnosis: 83
Re: 83-year-old father diagnosed with multiple myeloma
So, yesterday morning at 5 a.m. my father wakes me up. He cannot breath. He is very scared, so I put him in the car and we make the very short trip to the emergency room. After a few hours and a gambit of tests, they place him in the intensive care unit and my sister and I are briefed on his condition.
They tell us he has an abdominal aortic dissection. This was caused by extremely high blood pressure, which he has never had before, well slightly high, but controlled with lisinopril. The shear (?) goes from the top of his aorta to the place where it forks to each of his lower extremities. They are currently watching him and lowering his blood pressure to see if it clots and begins to heal (the word clot scares us a little).
They tell us that they doubt his myeloma treatment has anything to do with this, even though it was not present when he started treatment. They have not stopped his Revlimid or dex, and this week is his off week for Velcade.
My dad has had colon cancer twice, several surgeries including a triple bypass, now has stage three multiple myeloma with skull lesions and has several back surgeries to re-enforce his bones along with severe osteoporosis.
I read all I can about everything my dad has and try to reassure my little sister that there is little we can do besides care for and love our dad. It is tough to witness a man of once such great strength fight this and remain in pain 24/7.
Grateful for this site.
They tell us he has an abdominal aortic dissection. This was caused by extremely high blood pressure, which he has never had before, well slightly high, but controlled with lisinopril. The shear (?) goes from the top of his aorta to the place where it forks to each of his lower extremities. They are currently watching him and lowering his blood pressure to see if it clots and begins to heal (the word clot scares us a little).
They tell us that they doubt his myeloma treatment has anything to do with this, even though it was not present when he started treatment. They have not stopped his Revlimid or dex, and this week is his off week for Velcade.
My dad has had colon cancer twice, several surgeries including a triple bypass, now has stage three multiple myeloma with skull lesions and has several back surgeries to re-enforce his bones along with severe osteoporosis.
I read all I can about everything my dad has and try to reassure my little sister that there is little we can do besides care for and love our dad. It is tough to witness a man of once such great strength fight this and remain in pain 24/7.
Grateful for this site.
-
Gdhurst61 - Name: Glenn
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Two months ago, stage III
- Age at diagnosis: 83
Re: 83-year-old father diagnosed with multiple myeloma
Hi Glenn,
I am sorry to hear of what your father is going through. it must be a great comfort to him to have you and your sister nearby.
If he is able to get past this emergency and still take Revlimid, you should ask the doctor about what blood thinners to take also, if that is appropriate. I have been taking low-dose aspirin for years, including when I took Revlimid. Other types include warfarin. A haematologist-oncologist will know how to advise on that.
Good luck to your father.
I am sorry to hear of what your father is going through. it must be a great comfort to him to have you and your sister nearby.
If he is able to get past this emergency and still take Revlimid, you should ask the doctor about what blood thinners to take also, if that is appropriate. I have been taking low-dose aspirin for years, including when I took Revlimid. Other types include warfarin. A haematologist-oncologist will know how to advise on that.
Good luck to your father.
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: 83-year-old father diagnosed with multiple myeloma
Thank you, Nancy. He has been on a daily aspirin and a blood thinner and a beta blocker and blood pressure meds.
They have his pressures down today and have given us max limits on those pressures and heart rates and weight as he now has the beginning of congestive heart failure. Just taking it one day at a time.
Thank you for your comments and advice.
They have his pressures down today and have given us max limits on those pressures and heart rates and weight as he now has the beginning of congestive heart failure. Just taking it one day at a time.
Thank you for your comments and advice.
-
Gdhurst61 - Name: Glenn
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My father
- When were you/they diagnosed?: Two months ago, stage III
- Age at diagnosis: 83
6 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Member Introductions / Personal Stories