Hello forum members. I've been a lurker on the forum for about a year and thought it's about time I introduce myself and start becoming an active forum member.
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in October 2016 after an X-ray of my left hip picked up a large tumor on my femur. Three days later the initial, and later confirmed, diagnosis of multiple myeloma was given. I had three fractures of my spine, tumors on my sternum, shoulder, ribs and head. Past symptoms I attributed to just getting old now made total sense.
Fast forward to now and I'm doing very well. I had an autologous stem cell transplant in September 2017 and my multiple myeloma is barely detectable. All my numbers are in the normal range and besides a little chemo brain I feel great. I'm on 10 mg Revlimid maintenance therapy and luckily have had no major side effects.
I hope to be around for many years to see my two girls graduate from Virginia Tech (one is graduating in the spring, the other is a freshman) and hopefully make it to see grandchildren.
Carter
Forums
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
-
CarterC - Name: Carter
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: October 2016
- Age at diagnosis: 49
Re: Greetings from Richmond, Virginia
Hi Carter,
Thank you for adding your experience to this amazing forum!
You are relatively young to have myeloma, and we all sincerely hope you continue to enjoy very low "bad" numbers!
Isn't it amazing how bad things can get before we realize something is seriously wrong? Obviously, physical symptoms creep up on us. You certainly were too young to attribute your symptoms to "getting old"!
For folks like me who may be eligible for a transplant some day, it's encouraging to hear from someone who has successfully passed through that valley!
Thank you for adding your experience to this amazing forum!
You are relatively young to have myeloma, and we all sincerely hope you continue to enjoy very low "bad" numbers!
Isn't it amazing how bad things can get before we realize something is seriously wrong? Obviously, physical symptoms creep up on us. You certainly were too young to attribute your symptoms to "getting old"!
For folks like me who may be eligible for a transplant some day, it's encouraging to hear from someone who has successfully passed through that valley!
-
Pepperink - Name: Jimmie
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June 16, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 66
Re: Greetings from Richmond, Virginia
Hi Carter,
Glad to hear you are doing well. We live over on the Northern Neck.
Patty
Glad to hear you are doing well. We live over on the Northern Neck.
Patty
-
PLong56 - Name: PLong
- Who do you know with myeloma?: My husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: August 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 61
Re: Greetings from Richmond, Virginia
I was just diagnosed Febuary 1st. I live in Richmond Virginia too and am new to this forum. I just started Revlimid, Velcade, and dex. 53 years young and healthy and this happens. Oh well.
-
saturnhartwig - Name: David Hartwig
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2/1/2019
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Greetings from Richmond, Virginia
Hi Carter,
Thank you for posting this. I find it encouraging to read how we all start out this journey with some similarities, but really many differences as well, and one common bond with so many is that positive spirit. I wish you the very best in your journey.
Doug
Thank you for posting this. I find it encouraging to read how we all start out this journey with some similarities, but really many differences as well, and one common bond with so many is that positive spirit. I wish you the very best in your journey.
Doug
5 posts
• Page 1 of 1
Return to Member Introductions / Personal Stories