[lyndaclark]

FIVE YEARS AGO

by lyndaclark on Fri Aug 20, 2010 5:29 pm

Five years ago this month, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. I had symptoms for a year or so previously (anemia, infections, bone pain), but as a 48-year old woman, I suspected the symptoms were related to pre-menopause and getting older. However, as the pain in my left leg became more severe, and at the urging of my husband, I finally went to the doctor. (I was one of those people who rarely went to the doctor). An MRI confirmed I had several lesions, the most severe in my right thigh. After surgery to stabilize my broken femur and radiation, and confirmation that I did, indeed, have multiple myeloma, I began a treatment of dex and thalomid. In March 2006 I had my first stem cell transplant, and in August 2006 I had a second transplant (I was enrolled in a clinical trial at Vanderbilt. Since I did not have a sibling who was a compatible donor for a mini-transplant, I had two autologous transplants instead of one auto and one mini). After the transplants, I was put on a maintenance regimen of lower doses of dex and thalomid, along with infusions of zometa. Due to side effects, I went off all maintenance treatments in 2007. In 2008 I had another surgery on my left femur to remove the old and insert a new rod in my leg because I had a stress fracture (not a cancer recurrence), and suffered through a few years of sinus infections, shingles, etc. All that I went through in the past doesn't seem real, I hardly remember a lot of it. NOW I AM still in complete remission, and I have a "new normal", wonderful life! I feel pretty darned good!!

[Sherri Parker]

Re: FIVE YEARS AGO

by Sherri Parker on Sat Aug 21, 2010 12:08 am

What a great story! I am so happy for you. Your experience sounds a lot like mine.

[turbineman@att.net]

Re: FIVE YEARS AGO

by turbineman@att.net on Mon Feb 21, 2011 1:49 pm

Wonderful story of success. Not without suffering but you perservered, terrific, encouraging to the rest of us!

[lyndaclark]

Re: FIVE YEARS AGO

by lyndaclark on Wed Feb 23, 2011 7:41 pm

Thanks, turbine man! An update: just had my checkup a week ago, and I am still in complete remission. Hang in there!