[vicstir]

Re: Any patients in their 30s on this forum?

by vicstir on Sat Dec 13, 2014 12:03 am

Dear USMC

I often wonder if older patients have had multiple myeloma for years before diagnosis. I was diagnosed at age 39. Quite a bit older then you. However, in hindsight, when I think of the lead up to my diagnosis, I had been unwell for probably five years prior to that, on and off. Hospitalised for infections and pnuemonia. Because of my age at the time of hospitalization, multiple myeloma was not even considered. My fluctuating immunoglobulin levels were, from what I can surmise, just an expected side effect of the infections my body was fighting.

I also work in a place that has a lot of germs I guess you could say. Due to having many employees. So, being in contact with about 200 people or more each day, you can imagine that if one person gets the flu for example, usually a lot do. I believe that because of my working circumstances my struggling immune system was exposed more so then if I had worked in a tiny office or work space with limited people to catch things off.

So what's my point? I think that if I worked in a different place then I too may have gone on for quite a few more years without knowing. By then my symptoms would most likely been further advanced and irreversible damage done. Personally I think it a good thing that I have been diagnosed relatively young. (Obviously not to have multiple myeloma would be better).

Maybe I am being naive in thinking that being younger gives me a better chance of getting this stuff under control. Physically stronger then perhaps a 70 year old anyway. But I'd rather be 70 at diagnosis then 30 something. There is still so much to do at 30. A 70 year old has lived in my opinion a full life.

I am fortunate to have had a very good life up to this point. It is my goal to keep living a good life as long as I can. I try not to be a victim of my / our circumstances and just get on with it. That's not to say I don't get frustrated when trying to plan for the future ...

Take Care Vicki

[jennifrp]

Re: Any patients in their 30s on this forum?

by jennifrp on Mon Dec 15, 2014 8:58 pm

USMC,

I was diagnosed at 31, in July 2006. I'm 39 now, looking forward to my 40th birthday next July.

Jen

[Huski]

Re: Any patients in their 30s on this forum?

by Huski on Wed Dec 17, 2014 4:07 am

Pretty much diagnosed on my 38th birthday

[GApeaches77]

Re: Any patients in their 30s on this forum?

by GApeaches77 on Sat Jan 17, 2015 11:11 pm

Me! I'm 37 but was diagnosed when I was 34. Had a SCT at Northside BMT in Atlanta in 2012, but relapsed less than a year later. Yay me!

[ana87]

Re: Any patients in their 30s on this forum?

by ana87 on Sat Jan 24, 2015 8:05 am

I am 27 years old. I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma a year ago.