[anitalouise]

Just getting started

by anitalouise on Sun May 27, 2018 6:11 pm

Hello everyone,

I am posting my introduction here at the Myeloma Beacon after just completing my first week of treat­ment. I received my diagnosis on May 3 and began treatment on May 11, with my first injection of Velcade. Added to the treatment regimen beginning on the 12th with weekly dexa­meth­a­sone and daily does of Revlimid (and acyclovir).

In February my primary care physician referred me to a hematologist as a result of annual blood test results and that is what initially led to being diagnosed. I was already in the grips of the fatigue caused by the myeloma itself, but was chalking it up to just getting older (I turned 70 in January).

I am determined to fight this thing and have taken up the gauntlet to get better. When I first heard about the treatment plan, I was somewhat overwhelmed with wondering how I was going to keep track of all of the medications, and I was not prepared for the paperwork and phone calls it took to get approval for specialty medications, like Revlimid!

I was happy to discover the Beacon online, and am looking forward to sharing with all of you, asking and answering questions, and acquiring the wisdom of those who have already walked this path.

I am fortunate to have a marvelous support team of family and friends, who are helping me in so many ways, especially helping with things I just don't have the energy to do. I hate this part of the disease, as I have always been pretty independent and self-sufficient, but I am happy to accept the help that is offered.

Thank you all for being there.
Anita

[WholeNotherWorld]

Re: Just getting started

by WholeNotherWorld on Mon May 28, 2018 10:40 pm

Welcome, although this is probably not a forum you ever wanted to be part of!

I have learned so much from the folks here, and I love the positive upbeat mood that carries through the discussions. Sounds like you have a good support system to begin with. Now you have the forum too. Keep us posted along the way on how you are doing. We really do care.