[VictoriaWank35]

Greetings from Baltimore

by VictoriaWank35 on Fri Apr 26, 2019 7:43 pm

Hello,

I am 54 and was diagnosed in September 2017. My kidneys failed. I was sleeping a lot, and then my feet and ankles ballooned. I made it to work and called my doctor, who told me to get to an ER. Fortunately, the hospital had hematology oncology services. Unfortunately, I inherited the disease from my dad. He passed away in 1994, four months after a multiple myeloma diagnosis (he willfully ignored the symptoms and refused to see a doctor until I begged him).

My oncologist placed me on Velcade and dex. I had to be off the treatment for 2 months, after the dialysis catheter caused a staph infection in my knee. When I restarted the treatment, 10 mg of Revlimid was added. However, it caused my hemoglobin to go way down, so it was dis­continued for a bit, then I resumed it at 5 mg. My numbers improved, my knee got replaced, and I became a patient of a myeloma treatment center in New York City after my mom called the facility, which is 2 miles from her.

My New York doctors recommended an autologous stem cell transplant. After collecting the stem cells, I developed sepsis from the port. It delayed the transplant by 2 weeks, but I had the transplant on December 28, 2018. My numbers came back as predicted, and I came back to Maryland.

I just got home from the hospital after my kidneys failed again. They’ve detected elevated levels of light chains. Now I’m also dealing with nausea.

I look forward to being part of this supportive community.

Victoria Wank

[Arizonan]

Re: Greetings from Baltimore

by Arizonan on Sat Apr 27, 2019 11:33 pm

So sorry you are having to deal with all this. Hope things get better.

David

[MaryF]

Re: Greetings from Baltimore

by MaryF on Wed May 15, 2019 10:30 am

Hi Victoria,

I’m sorry you’re going through this. I live in Pasadena and am being treated in Baltimore. I have kappa light chain myeloma. I have a nephologist in Annapolis and a myeloma specialist at the University of Maryland Baltimore.

Hang in there, we are all in this together. I will keep you in my prayers.

Mary