[Pat Killingsworth]

My Story

by Pat Killingsworth on Thu Mar 25, 2010 6:43 pm

Hello All!

My name is Pat Killingsworth, and I was diagnosed with Stage Two multiple myeloma in April of 2007. Unfortunately, prior to my diagnosis and successful treatment, I suffered a great deal of bone damage caused by my myeloma. Except for (or despite) the pain, the rest of my journey has been positive.

Following a difficult experience with radiation and dexamethasone (a bad combination!), my next therapy – a combination of Revlimid and dex – worked wonders! Yes, there were a few negative side effects. But the results were just short of miraculous. I responded so well, my wife Pattie and I decided to postpone a scheduled stem cell transplant indefinitely. That was three years ago. Still on Revlimid. Still OK.

I was so sick early on -- a combination of the radiation/dex and bone pain and pain meds -- I swore if I ever recovered I would dedicate my life to helping other cancer patients. Sounds hokey -- but true. My wife is a three time cancer survivor. My father has prostate cancer. Her mother died in November from a long battle with colon cancer. I lost my mother to lung cancer while I was still attending the University of Wisconsin 30 years ago. Cancer was a big part of my life, even before I, too, joined this unfortunate club -- so our decision to work with cancer patients 24/7 isn't as crazy as it sounds.

So we quit our jobs, sold our home in St Croix Falls, Wisconsin, bought one of the really inexpensive foreclosure homes you read about in Florida, and moved down here late last year. The warm weather helps my bone pain. Pattie found a job helping other cancer patients (many of them with myeloma) at a dialysis clinic. I became a freelance medical writter, covering oncology conventions and other multiple myeloma related events and functions.

I am really impressed with what The Myeloma Beacon staff are trying to accomplish. It is great to have an independent, journalistic resource to reference.

- Pat

[Nanette]

Re: My Story

by Nanette on Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:23 pm

WOW. That's a great story, Pat.

I'm so happy to hear that you're "hanging in there", baby! Also intend to check out your websites.

I'm also impressed with these new forums, and have expressed my feelings towards the "powers-that-be" here at the Myeloma Beacon.

If not sooner, then later, I'll introduce my husband and I to "the gang" here.

Best of luck, Pat. Stay tough, man!

[Grace Nunes]

Re: My Story

by Grace Nunes on Sun Mar 28, 2010 1:18 am

Thank you for telling your story. My father is M.M. diagnosed in May 2008. NOw he is in the first cycle of Revlimid. He had prior treatment with Velcade , but developed Neuropatia. We took a long time to get the Revlimid because we live in Brasil and, so far, the Revlimid is not available here . The Health Insurance refused to help because they say that is illegal , once is not registered in our brazilian "FDA" . Was a long battle and we know we will face it every month. I hope it will work for my father like did for you after a few cycles. I was really glad to read that you are feeling well and didn´t have horrible side effects. Tks again , reading your story was very relieving for me.
I wish you all the best . Grace

[jpollard]

Re: My Story

by jpollard on Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:22 am

thanks again pat, this forum seems to be starting off great , have been following you around for a couple years now and really appreciate all of your time and effort to keep people informed
you have been a great asset for my wife and i
thanks again and keep up the fight
jay