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A Newbie Here

by P. Aaron on Sun Apr 24, 2011 5:55 pm

My name is P. Aaron. I live in the Detroit area. I started experiencing acidic back pain in the mid-late summer of 2009. Like most guys, I ignored it (age 49). I have always been quite athletic and in good if not great shape my whole life. This pain however, turned out to be real different.

Went to the doc (and I had check-ups every year), he had no idea what was going on. I was eventually prescribed Vicodin for the pain which helped until it ran out. The doc said; "...you're gettin' a CAT scan if you're eating that much medication". The scan came back with stage III multiple myeloma.

The local hospital, (very nice rooms & stuff) was really out of their league for treating this type of affliction. We eventually made a move to the University of Michigan Cancer Center. After some clean-up ( getting me off pain-meds) from the conventional hospital I signed up for their clinical trial there under the supervision of Dr. Jakabowiak. That treatment commenced 12/09.

The regimen includes 21 days of Revlimid, with infusions of Carfilzomib (2 days bi-weekly)) and Dexamethasone (1x a week) & 7 days off except for the Dex. Considering how far down I was, I think I have done fairly well. It's been about 15 months and I can do most things I used to but with pain. I also had Kyphoplasty to shore up 6 vertebre that the stinkin' cancer wrecked. The compression has resulted in friction on some nerve endings giving me occasional ciatic shots of electrifying pain. I eat vicodin or percocet to smooth this out. Quarterly, I get an epidural in my lower back. Just got one Friday and I am thinking I feel almost cured...well perhaps a few of you here have that feeling...until it starts wearing off.

The treatments go on along with ancillary visits to make sure the battlefield stays healthy. If I can sum it up in one word: Frustration. Fighting this battle keeps me from being a provider. It also keeps me from setting any kind of work schedule. I am rendered a part-time participant in stuff that goes on around the house. I'm lucky my wife's job provides very good insurance.

P. Aaron
Name: P. Aaron
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: 10/2009
Age at diagnosis: 49

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