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General questions and discussion about multiple myeloma (i.e., symptoms, lab results, news, etc.) If unsure where to post, use this discussion area.

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by LisaE on Tue Dec 29, 2015 8:04 pm

Xmas two years ago, we knew my husband was sick, but not why. He'd had knee surgery in October, and all the pain was attributed to pulled muscles, throwing his back out, and other side effects of his knee problem. He was finally diagnosed in April 2014 when I took him to ER because I knew he was dying. And I was right, he probably wouldn't have lasted another week.

His road was seriously rocky. But by Xmas last year, we were looking at dipping our toes back into gentle travel (we went to Maui in Jan 2015) and he was starting to feel more like himself.

This year? If you didn't know he'd been sick, you wouldn't know it. You might notice he's 5'10" instead of 6'1" but he's got nearly his old strength and endurance back. There was permanent lung damage from one of the drugs, and that's far more of a problem than anything else.

Next week he goes for his bloodwork. We've got fingers crossed that this will mark a year of no monoclonal protein.

I fully expected to be widowed in 2014. But here he is, and here we are. We've got 4 trips planned for 2016, and a trip to Burma on the back burner for 2017.

A tip from my husband: Do not be afraid to say "I can't {do x} I have an incurable cancer!" whenever chores like making the bed or doing the dishes threaten. Save your energy for the fun stuff :-)
Last edited by LisaE on Thu Dec 31, 2015 3:11 am, edited 1 time in total.

LisaE
Name: Lisa
Who do you know with myeloma?: Husband
When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
Age at diagnosis: 67

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Wed Dec 30, 2015 12:12 pm

Timshel,

I am so sorry you are having to take this road. Eleven years ago I was diagnosed with breast cancer just before the holidays and now all these years later my dear husband and I have swapped rolls, him to cancer patient and me to loving caregiver. Even knowing what it is like to go through cancer, surgeries and chemo, I would do it all again to take it from him. I wondered the same as you then and I wonder it now for him.

Everyone here is so encouraging and there are many long-term survivors posting here. I am sure you will see me post along our journey, as we are – like you – just beginning.

Good luck to you and God Bless

dogmom
Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
Age at diagnosis: 58

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by Mike F on Wed Dec 30, 2015 2:25 pm

Timshel -

I can't imagine anyone not being terrified by a cancer diagnosis. I spent the first month after mine in a fog of fear and confusion. But as many others here have been saying, myeloma is not one of those cancers that's guaranteed to take you out. It's not at all unlikely that you'll be around for a number of years (not days or months) to come. There may be some tough times ahead, but it's also quite likely that there will still be some very good times ahead as well.

Mike F
Name: Mike F
Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
When were you/they diagnosed?: May 18, 2012
Age at diagnosis: 53

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Thu Dec 31, 2015 11:21 am

Thank you all for your encouraging words. They do help, more than you know.

dogmom
Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
When were you/they diagnosed?: December 2015
Age at diagnosis: 58

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