To garyblau,
I too would love more individual consideration by my oncologists.
They have prescribed 24 months of Zometa for me even though there is no proof (bone density not definitive) that I personally will benefit from it.
I hear you loud and clear.
Coach Hoke
Forums
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
Hi All, I'm searching online now because my mother's funeral was today and I find myself alone in the house thinking and reviewing all that has transpired over the last 8 months.
My mom was 87, but like others have stated, she was extremely healthy, active, and independent. Over the course of a few weeks she had back pain, collapsed vertebrae, and leg weakness. Emergency back surgery Memorial Day weekend .... radiation ... and then chemo that wiped her out. She was referred to hospice in September and died in December.
I felt like she had done everything right, but never had a chance. I am second guessing -- should she have continued with debilitating chemo and transfusions??
How can this disease sneak up on someone ... Why don't they detect it with blood worK??
I am devastated and hoping I can cope. ....
My mom was 87, but like others have stated, she was extremely healthy, active, and independent. Over the course of a few weeks she had back pain, collapsed vertebrae, and leg weakness. Emergency back surgery Memorial Day weekend .... radiation ... and then chemo that wiped her out. She was referred to hospice in September and died in December.
I felt like she had done everything right, but never had a chance. I am second guessing -- should she have continued with debilitating chemo and transfusions??
How can this disease sneak up on someone ... Why don't they detect it with blood worK??
I am devastated and hoping I can cope. ....
-
debra444
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
Hi Debra444,
I am sorry that you have lost your mother. Remember the good times you had with her. Don't be too hard on yourself regarding her treatment - try not to think of the what ifs. This disease is insidious and it can creep up on you without you or your doctors knowing.
Take care, Libby
I am sorry that you have lost your mother. Remember the good times you had with her. Don't be too hard on yourself regarding her treatment - try not to think of the what ifs. This disease is insidious and it can creep up on you without you or your doctors knowing.
Take care, Libby
-
LibbyC - Name: LibbyC
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 43
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
Debra,
I am so sorry about your mom. It is a huge loss. Don't add to your pain by worrying about the would-a, could-a, should-a's. Just remember all of the happy times, and be grateful that you were able to share her last journey with her. I'm sure your presence in her life made it easier.
Lyn
I am so sorry about your mom. It is a huge loss. Don't add to your pain by worrying about the would-a, could-a, should-a's. Just remember all of the happy times, and be grateful that you were able to share her last journey with her. I'm sure your presence in her life made it easier.
Lyn
-
Christa's Mom - Name: Christa's Mom
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: September, 2010
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
My mother is 87 and was diagnosed with multiple myeloma about 18 months ago. In the year before she was diagnosed, she had breast cancer and a mastectomy and also fell and broke her wrist. But she is tough and positive with a strong and healthy constitution.
Her first dose of chemotherapy saw her hospitalised with severe side effects. After rest and recovery, her specialist gave her some different drugs with wonderful results. Her condition backed off, she felt better than she had for the past 2 years, and, amazingly there were no adverse side effects at all. The specialist explained that new treatments for multiple myeloma are constantly becoming available, which makes it easier to find drugs that are both effective and cause minimal side effects. My mum had a few months of taking these drugs for 3 days in succession every 6 weeks. She was then declared in remission and went for about a year with no drugs and good health.
Five weeks ago one of her vertebrae fractured and she is currently battling with the pain from that, as well as the unpleasant side effects of the opiate-based pain killers. Her specialist said that the multiple myeloma may have contributed by weakening her spine. So she is taking the chemotherapy again, as well as bone strengthening medication and IV infusions, which fortunately have no side effects for her.
Her kidney function is around 37%, due to both her age and probably also the multiple myeloma. This means that drugs tend to accumulate in her system, so it's important that this is recognised and managed well. I understand that the pain in her back will ease once the inflammation goes down. I'm hopeful she will soon return to the better state of health she experienced last year.
I hope this story contains some useful information.
My very best wishes to all
Her first dose of chemotherapy saw her hospitalised with severe side effects. After rest and recovery, her specialist gave her some different drugs with wonderful results. Her condition backed off, she felt better than she had for the past 2 years, and, amazingly there were no adverse side effects at all. The specialist explained that new treatments for multiple myeloma are constantly becoming available, which makes it easier to find drugs that are both effective and cause minimal side effects. My mum had a few months of taking these drugs for 3 days in succession every 6 weeks. She was then declared in remission and went for about a year with no drugs and good health.
Five weeks ago one of her vertebrae fractured and she is currently battling with the pain from that, as well as the unpleasant side effects of the opiate-based pain killers. Her specialist said that the multiple myeloma may have contributed by weakening her spine. So she is taking the chemotherapy again, as well as bone strengthening medication and IV infusions, which fortunately have no side effects for her.
Her kidney function is around 37%, due to both her age and probably also the multiple myeloma. This means that drugs tend to accumulate in her system, so it's important that this is recognised and managed well. I understand that the pain in her back will ease once the inflammation goes down. I'm hopeful she will soon return to the better state of health she experienced last year.
I hope this story contains some useful information.
My very best wishes to all
-
BusyB
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
My father is 68 and was diagnosed first with renal failure. Now he has been diagnosed with myeloma. It is eating his red blood cells now.
I live in Illinois, he lives in Arizona. I have had the first initial visit faxed to me but have not had anything else. My Dad is not good at understanding things the doctor will tell him. To my understanding, he has been told his body can not withstand chemo.
Therefore they are administering Procrit? I have looked this up and am very worried about it. It doesn't seem safe. It advised against using it with high blood pressure, my Dad's is crazy. Up and down.
Does anyone know why this would be and have they ever heard of patients receiving this treatment?
I live in Illinois, he lives in Arizona. I have had the first initial visit faxed to me but have not had anything else. My Dad is not good at understanding things the doctor will tell him. To my understanding, he has been told his body can not withstand chemo.
Therefore they are administering Procrit? I have looked this up and am very worried about it. It doesn't seem safe. It advised against using it with high blood pressure, my Dad's is crazy. Up and down.
Does anyone know why this would be and have they ever heard of patients receiving this treatment?
-
Mik1965
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
Hi Mik1965, Procrit is a form of erythropoetin, which would be used in order to encourage the production of red blood cells. This would be to help him to overcome his anemia.
Many people on this forum have had kidney failure, since it does occur as a problem with myeloma patients, especially at diagnosis.
If you could give more information about your father's condition, you might be able to connect with others who had the same problem. Good luck!
Many people on this forum have had kidney failure, since it does occur as a problem with myeloma patients, especially at diagnosis.
If you could give more information about your father's condition, you might be able to connect with others who had the same problem. Good luck!
-
Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
Hello,
My dad has been just diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 87. He is also very healthy and active. The doctor wants to start him as early as January with two pills and an injection to see how he does and then later chemo.
I am wondering if it is better to skip the chemo because of his age and just do the drugs to keep his bones strong and control his anemia?
Thanks,
Sarah
My dad has been just diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 87. He is also very healthy and active. The doctor wants to start him as early as January with two pills and an injection to see how he does and then later chemo.
I am wondering if it is better to skip the chemo because of his age and just do the drugs to keep his bones strong and control his anemia?
Thanks,
Sarah
-
dsouzjo1
Re: Any elderly multiple myeloma patients here?
dsouzjo1-
Ask your father what the pills and the injection are that he's getting. He may be taking Revlimid (lenalidomide), dexamethasone - both pills - and Velcade (bortezomib, an injection). This is considered chemo for myeloma. It is a more targeted form of chemo than what you may be thinking of as chemo infusions used for solid tumors.
All the best to your father,
Nancy in Phila
Ask your father what the pills and the injection are that he's getting. He may be taking Revlimid (lenalidomide), dexamethasone - both pills - and Velcade (bortezomib, an injection). This is considered chemo for myeloma. It is a more targeted form of chemo than what you may be thinking of as chemo infusions used for solid tumors.
All the best to your father,
Nancy in Phila
-
NStewart - Name: Nancy Stewart
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 3/08
- Age at diagnosis: 60
47 posts
• Page 2 of 5 • 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
Return to Member Introductions / Personal Stories