Myeloma has changed my body, and not for the better. And I wager I am not alone in this.
First of all, my three vertebral fractures have led to kyphosis. Yes, I did do khyphoplasty on two of them, but too much time had passed for the procedure to straighten out the compressed vertebrae.
When I look at my body shirtless, I wince at the bulge in my abdominal area caused by the kyphosis, and I walk with a noticeable forward curvature in my back. "Ugly" is the word that comes to mind.
And the steroids have done a number on my face. I have enough jowl tissue now to carry around chestnuts and acorns just like the squirrels do. Plus, are all those new wrinkles just from "getting older", or perhaps my friend myeloma is implicated there as well.
Well, I should probably get over it. But my list of things to adjust to as part of my "new normal" is getting long indeed!
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MrPotatohead - Name: MrPotatohead
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Changes in appearance due to multiple myeloma
My husband lost 3 inches (7.5 cm) in height and has that hump. He lost a tonne of muscle. There's a bald bit where radiation on his skull did its work. He gets steroid puffiness. He walks with a limp.
And although I see it, it doesn't register on any level that matters. I look at him naked and get the world's dumbest grin. I hear him snore (which used to drive me bonkers pre-myeloma) and smile because I remember what it was like when he couldn't breathe and couldn't sleep.
I know it's easy for me to say since my body is just doing the normal getting older stuff. But the people who love us don't love us for our posture or our chiseled jaws. I nearly lost him, and the sight of him alive and enjoying life is my Best Thing. I'll bet your people feel the same about you.
And although I see it, it doesn't register on any level that matters. I look at him naked and get the world's dumbest grin. I hear him snore (which used to drive me bonkers pre-myeloma) and smile because I remember what it was like when he couldn't breathe and couldn't sleep.
I know it's easy for me to say since my body is just doing the normal getting older stuff. But the people who love us don't love us for our posture or our chiseled jaws. I nearly lost him, and the sight of him alive and enjoying life is my Best Thing. I'll bet your people feel the same about you.
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LisaE - Name: Lisa
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 67
Re: Changes in appearance due to multiple myeloma
Thank you, LisaE.
Your husband is a lucky guy!
Your husband is a lucky guy!
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MrPotatohead - Name: MrPotatohead
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
Re: Changes in appearance due to multiple myeloma
Hi Everyone!
lt is true that physical changes can occur for myeloma patients, especially if we lost height from compression of vertebrae, and have had to take drugs such as steroids. But if you look around you, in the general population, many people have physiques that have suffered with aging! I think it is best to keep on exercising, always try on clothes before you buy them to make sure that they fit you well, and also are flattering, and then after that, relax and smile. I find that in photos, a smile helps a lot. Just compare a driver's licence photo or passport photo (where one cannot smile) to snapshots where the opposite is true. Another suggestion I would have is to practice good posture and good breathing.
lt is true that physical changes can occur for myeloma patients, especially if we lost height from compression of vertebrae, and have had to take drugs such as steroids. But if you look around you, in the general population, many people have physiques that have suffered with aging! I think it is best to keep on exercising, always try on clothes before you buy them to make sure that they fit you well, and also are flattering, and then after that, relax and smile. I find that in photos, a smile helps a lot. Just compare a driver's licence photo or passport photo (where one cannot smile) to snapshots where the opposite is true. Another suggestion I would have is to practice good posture and good breathing.
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Nancy Shamanna - Name: Nancy Shamanna
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Self and others too
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2009
Re: Changes in appearance due to multiple myeloma
In my three years of undiagnosed myeloma starting from 2008, my hair went white in a matter of months, and my complexion became jaundiced with noticeably increased wrinkles. I avoided looking in mirrors or having photographs taken because I felt "this is not me!". Friends and even strangers started offering to carry my suitcases. I am quite a big guy, but I was down by 10 kg (22 lbs) compared with today following six years of relatively successful treatment since my diagnosis.
Best Wishes to you all. Victor L
Best Wishes to you all. Victor L
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Victor L - Name: Victor L
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2012
- Age at diagnosis: 58
Re: Changes in appearance due to multiple myeloma
Thanks for all the great posts, everyone!
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MrPotatohead - Name: MrPotatohead
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: March, 2015
- Age at diagnosis: 65
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