Mr. P,
Your words hit me right between the eyes. I started treatment 2 weeks ago. And after the initial shock of diagnosis, I too find myself optimistic and hopeful. Perhaps foolishly.
Your words and story are so helpful and meaningful.
Forums
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Kelleher461 - Name: Dan Kelleher
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: 2019
- Age at diagnosis: 63
Re: Giving up & stopping treatment
If, with age and cancer, we have little else, we do have freedom of choice. One person's choice may not work for another person. It's individual, and ours to make. Not in haste, not without a lot of thought, but, ultimately, it's our choice.
I'm 81 years old, diagnosed over 1-1/2 years ago. Now on my third treatment regimen with elotuzumab (Empliciti), Pomaylst, and the miserable dexies. Marker numbers moving slowly in the right direction. I weaned myself off tramadol a good while back and manage back and rib pain with topical diclofenac gel and drops. Keeps it manageable without turning me into a zombie.
The actuarial odds on making 85 with or without myeloma are about the same, so I really try to live one day at a time, finding the joy in that day. It's always there if I am open to it. It's hard to tell what is the cancer, the myeloma treatment, the arthritis, or just being an old man – maybe all of the above.
In the meantime, we all do the best we can, as we can, and should be free to make those choices without being second-guessed. I respect Mr. Potatohead's decision and wish him peace. It's not an easy one to make, and he deserves nothing but our support. It's not "giving up" or "losing the battle;" it's freedom of choice based on our own individual realities.
I'm 81 years old, diagnosed over 1-1/2 years ago. Now on my third treatment regimen with elotuzumab (Empliciti), Pomaylst, and the miserable dexies. Marker numbers moving slowly in the right direction. I weaned myself off tramadol a good while back and manage back and rib pain with topical diclofenac gel and drops. Keeps it manageable without turning me into a zombie.
The actuarial odds on making 85 with or without myeloma are about the same, so I really try to live one day at a time, finding the joy in that day. It's always there if I am open to it. It's hard to tell what is the cancer, the myeloma treatment, the arthritis, or just being an old man – maybe all of the above.
In the meantime, we all do the best we can, as we can, and should be free to make those choices without being second-guessed. I respect Mr. Potatohead's decision and wish him peace. It's not an easy one to make, and he deserves nothing but our support. It's not "giving up" or "losing the battle;" it's freedom of choice based on our own individual realities.
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albertlannon - Name: Albert Lannon
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: June, 2017
- Age at diagnosis: 79
32 posts
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