[Gillian Booth]

I'm new, hello

by Gillian Booth on Sun Oct 03, 2010 7:27 am

I decided to join the forums. Hello everyone, I'm Gill, 67 though apparently biologically younger according to my health gurus, so that's all right, then. Hmm, not particularly convinced. I was diagnosed in May but had known something was up for much longer - as a sense of being poisoned, almost. I suspect my multiple myeloma is the result of years of Xrays to a spine that became crook with spondilosis when I was 11. I live on my own, have two daughters within reachable distance, and am close to many loving caring friends. But other people can only do so much - essentially I have the sense of being alone with this Most of the time I feel as though I am in a very small boat on a very big sea and there are many things about this journey that I don't feel ready to know all at once, as an overdose of information will surely encourage me in a lot of scary flapping and unwanted neurotic adventures. So I'm lifting the cover up very carefully, and taking my time about it. Joining the forum is part of that. It would help right now if the sun emerged. Sometimes it's that simple to feel better. It's strangely helpful to know there are hundreds of you out there and that some of you may read this.

[Chuck]

Re: I'm new, hello

by Chuck on Mon Oct 04, 2010 1:05 am

What a wonderful introduction, Gill. It's great to get to know you. You are increasing the pressure on me to formally register here at the forum and introduce myself!

I am sorry that, despite having family and friends nearby, you still feel alone due to your myeloma. It's not that I don't understand why you feel the way you do. I'm just sorry that you do.

If you have the time to slowly educate yourself about myeloma so that you can make better decisions when it's time to do so, then, by all means, do so. It's less scary to pick up the information slowly, over time, and you'll probably remember it and understand it better doing it that way.

But just be sure you have the luxury of time. You don't want to be caught off guard and not knowing what to do simply because you forgot to ask your oncologist "Okay, exactly how much more time do I have until I need to make some important decisions?"

Probably the best way to learn is to read some and, most important of all, ask questions. Ask them here. Ask your nurses and doctors. Ask other patients. But asking is definitely a powerful way to learn what you need to know.

Welcome!

[Gillian Booth]

Re: I'm new, hello

by Gillian Booth on Fri Oct 08, 2010 9:25 am

Thanks to all of you who replied - just to clear this lonely thing up. I was talking about existential alone ness, which I think is part of the human condition, NOT loneliness, which is quite different, so I guess I went in a bit deep too fast. I am not lonely so please, although kindness has come my way, no need to worry. But thanks - and I am about to explore the forums now so that I can make up my mind the pros and cons of the stem cell transplant.
Gillian