[bdrake]

Diagnosed March 9th 2012

by bdrake on Sat Jul 27, 2013 3:21 pm

I'm a 61yr old African American female w/multiple myeloma. When I was first diagnosed I was on Dex alone and it worked until about June of 2012, I had some stressful situations that year, lost my husband and getting diagnosed with cancer then I began to have swelling in my feet and legs a little past my knee caps, I though it was from all the stress but finally I was taken off the dex and given an ultrasound and echo to make sure I didn't have any clots or heart involvement. About October I was put on Velcade and Dexamethasone IV high dose. and by December again my legs and feet started to swell and also ended up with neuropathy so I had to stop again. My doctor referred me for physical therapy and that worked except for some numbness in my toes that comes and goes. But my numbers went up slowly, thank God and my m-spike stayed at 0.2 until July, (7months). So now I'm doing every week for 6 weeks lower dose 1.4 mg Velcade sub-q and only 20mg dex. Tuesday will be my 3rd week so far so good and I pray that it stays that way, because the neuropathy is very painful and I rather not do chemo if I have to go through any of the side affects anymore. I'd rather enjoy the quality of my life unless they come up with a permanent cure it's just not worth it to me at my age. That's my story and I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed life.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Diagnosed March 9th 2012

by Nancy Shamanna on Sat Jul 27, 2013 6:51 pm

Hi Bren, I am sorry that you multiple myeloma but it does sound like you have effective treatments, although with some side effects of swelling feet and legs, plus neuropathy. There are forums on those topics , with patients' suggestions as to how to best manage this problem. I just take exception to your comment that you are old now! I would think that certainly it is worth it to get the treatment you need to combat the myeloma...Hang in there, for you may surprise yourself by feeling a lot better soon!

[bdrake]

Re: Diagnosed March 9th 2012

by bdrake on Sat Jul 27, 2013 7:11 pm

Thanks Nancy, No I didn't mean that 61 is old, just for this disease relative to younger patients. I just don't want to be like a lot of people on this forum and in my own cancer center that have to take mega dose pain meds to get through the day. But that's just me. I'm doing well now like I said my energy is better It's not a hassle to get through the day right now, and that's the way I want to continue. ( with the Lord's help) And I DO want to be around as long as I'm not a burden and can do most of the things for myself. And if it so happens they come up with a cure I'm all in. So I'm saying I'm not going to let this cancer beat me down as long as I can stay up I will. (No toxic side affects) And if that means just intermittent treatment to stave off the effects of chemo and myeloma that works for me. Take Care