[dogmom]

Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Sat Dec 26, 2015 3:19 pm

Christmas has always been my favorite holiday, but this year I have just gone through the motions, shopping, cooking, etc. My husband was diagnosed so close to the holidays that we could not get an appointment with the hematologist/oncologist until January 7th. He is very tired from anemia and his tummy has not been doing well. He is also very down due to diagnosis, as I am, but we are both trying to push through. I can relate to him pretty well as 11 years ago (at this exact time) I was diagnosed with breast cancer and had to have surgery and chemo. Our rolls were reversed so we both know how each other feels. I am not sure there is any question in this post, but as Christmas came and went this year , in the back of my mind...I prayed it would not be our last together..

[Ron Harvot]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by Ron Harvot on Sat Dec 26, 2015 4:16 pm

As I am sure you have become aware, if you have done any reading about multiple myeloma, it is a treatable albeit not curable form of cancer. It is rough when you have to wait, but once treatment starts, it is more likely than not that your husband will respond and his anemia should abate. I was diagnosed over 6 years ago and there are many who have had this disease much longer than me. So keep your chin up!

[dogmom]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Sat Dec 26, 2015 5:07 pm

Ron, thank you so much. Yes, I have been reading and it does seem to be very treatable. It is just hard for me to see a man who could work anyone under the table and burn the candle at both ends so weak. I tell myself it will get better and I tell him as well. I think it may just be the waiting for treatment to get started and knowing our direction into remission. Thanks so much.

[Mister Dana]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by Mister Dana on Mon Dec 28, 2015 6:02 pm

At Christmastime 2013 I was where you are now. Diagnosis, tumor biopsy, bone surgery, marrow biopsy -- all between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Then recovering from the surgery during the worst winter in recent memory, which for minnesota is saying something! But 3 or 4 months later I had a new lease on life. It all depends on how well the chemo works. Good luck to you both!

[dogmom]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Mon Dec 28, 2015 6:22 pm

Mister Dana,

Thank you so much for taking the time to respond. Every encouraging story gives me hope.

[Little Monkey]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by Little Monkey on Mon Dec 28, 2015 7:20 pm

There is one guy on here from one of your western provinces who was diagnosed
18 years ago, myeloma doesn't usually have as grim of a future as it did two or even one decade ago.

[dogmom]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Tue Dec 29, 2015 12:29 am

Thank you Little Monkey

[dianaiad]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dianaiad on Tue Dec 29, 2015 2:21 pm

I understand...most of us here do. It's a worry...but again, as the folks who have posted here before have also told you, multiple myeloma is treatable. You and your husband are in for a bit of a roller coaster, to be sure, but...the odds are still pretty darned good that you will be celebrating Christmas together next year.

On Christmas of 2012 I had just gotten most of the test results back from all the blood work that the oncologist/hematologist had ordered. HE told me not to worry about anything, that it was just probably a mild anemia (that's the only thing I presented with...). However, I"m an internet research junkie. I don't recommend this sort of thing to people who are not me (and doesn't THAT sound arrogant?) but research is what I do..and did...for a living. I know the pitfalls. I TAUGHT people how to avoid the hype and pitfalls on the internet.

ANYway...after seeing the test results, I went looking. So I had the diagnosis myself before I saw Dr. B in January. I knew what I had, and couldn't tell anybody. I didn't know how bad it was, what was being done, what all the treatment options were, or much about how this whole thing was going to work, but I knew I had it--or something just as bad.

and I couldn't tell a soul.

That was an...interesting...Christmas. The FOLLOWING Christmas I was coming back from a bone marrow transplant, bald and nauseated. Christmas of 2014 and 2015?

Wonderful. Full remission. Yes, I have issues with the chemo that's keeping me there, but....

I'm here and I just had one of the best Christmases of my life, with my family and friends.

I'm not a doc either...but...the odds that you will have each other and be rejoicing together next Christmas are pretty darned good.

[dogmom]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by dogmom on Tue Dec 29, 2015 4:06 pm

Thanks dianalad. We both know that he will have some hard times ahead, but he is determined to do what he needs to to put it in remission and I will be there to help him as I can. Hopefully next Christmas I can be one of the ones assuring other newbies.

[Timshel]

Re: Praying it's not our last Christmas together

by Timshel on Tue Dec 29, 2015 6:59 pm

I have pondered this same question a 1000 +times. We literally left the country after my December 11 bone marrow biopsy so I wouldn't have easy access to my patient portal. Of course, as soon as I hit the ground, yesterday, I have been reading every test that has rolled back in. Tomorrow is my "staging amd planning" meeting with my onc. I am terrified.

I type this, looking at my decorated tree that we were not even at home to have "Santa" make his deliveries as we were in South America, (but Santa found us there). I told my husband I am terrified to undecorate the tree as it may be the last time I see it adorned with so many memories of our children's crafts.

Cancer sucks.