[alaskanmeg]

Any people in ALASKA?

by alaskanmeg on Tue Jul 10, 2012 7:49 pm

I live in Anchorage. I am newly diagnosed. Started chemo last week. Anybody out there?

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Any people in ALASKA?

by Nancy Shamanna on Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:27 pm

Hi Alaskanmeg...there are LOTS of us out here, all over the place really, and the online support means you can connect with folks via computer. i hope you also find some people to connect with in Alaska...there was someone on line here a few months ago from your state. i wanted to mention that I was in Alaska ten days ago, in Skagway! You live in such a beautiful area really, and we loved the mountain scenery and plentiful seafood...even found a quilt shop there! We had driven there over the Chilkoot pass from Whitehorse, Yukon. What a fantastic drive! Hope all your treatments go really well and that you achieve success with that. If you want to ask questions of any doctors here, just post them on the Forum. If you have a medical problem for which treatment is not available in Alaska, are you flown south to the Pacific Northwest states, such as Washington?

[alaskanmeg]

Re: Any people in ALASKA?

by alaskanmeg on Wed Jul 11, 2012 7:32 pm

I am under the care of the Veteran's Administration. Last year, when I was diagnosed with melanoma it was the first year we got to stay in Alaska and be treated. Before that, we were always shipped to Seattle. Now, I have the same oncologist as I had with the melanoma, thank goodness she is a hematologist as well! I am doing CyBorD induction here and then will go to Seattle VA to get an auto stem cell transplant. At least that is the idea right now. I chose the "wait and see" therapy for the melanoma, rather than do the chemo interluekin 2a. So much info on this forum, it makes me feel proactive again in my treatment.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Any people in ALASKA?

by Nancy Shamanna on Thu Jul 12, 2012 8:36 am

Hi Meg..thanks for your info! I am in a local support group in Calgary that allowed me to meet many other multiple myeloma patients. The dynamic woman who started it up a few years ago was able to go thru the cancer centre to help with that. There is a meeting once a month at a local building that was built for the use of different cancer groups, by charitable fund raising groups. As well as being an emotional support group for patients and caregivers, the support group raises funds for research and has conference type days too. It all takes a lot of organization, and hats off to those who donate a lot of their time to it! Your oncologist may know of such a group in Anchorage too.

I also note that there are others who contribute to this forum who are being cared for by your Veteran's Administration. You probably would have something in common with them too! Best wishes to you as you start this journey! Keep us posted!

[MichelleK]

Re: Any people in ALASKA?

by MichelleK on Tue Aug 21, 2012 5:29 pm

Hi
I'm in Anchorage, Alaska I have myeloma. I was diagnosed June 16, 2010. I did chemo & maintenance injections. I just completed my stem cell transplant . I'm doing very well. I've met 3 other women who also have Myeloma. We all keep in touch. One lady & I even meet for lunch sometimes. It has really helped me to have someone to talk to that understands. If you have any questions or just need a friend to talk to who is going thru this too Please contact me anytime at mmkeil@me.com.

Michelle