[Barneasada]

Changing career paths as young multiple myeloma patient

by Barneasada on Tue May 06, 2014 6:38 pm

I am a 27 year old with multiple myeloma and was diagnosed at age 19 when i had a plasmacytoma removed from my chest wall and then consecutive chest wall reconstructions in 2007. I required no chemotherapy til June 2012, at which point i started RVD [Revlimid, Velcade, and dexamethasone] and continued on that until September 2013 when i switched to Kyprolis [carfilzomib], Revlimid, and dex.

My m-spike before my transplant was 0.18, then I had my first stem cell transplant this past February. I have been out of work since Feb 2011, and worked previously in the construction industry. My problem is now I do not feel that I can fit the requirements of my job.

What, if any, out there are options for changing career paths due to our disease? Has anyone had to make hard choices like this? Are there any third party companies out there that help people like us out?

My degree is in Environmental Planning and Design and I just became a Certified Kitchen and Bath Remodeler. However, I just feel discouraged and clueless about how to proceed due to the fact that I cannot do the physical requirements of my industry, let alone deal with the fact that I need health insurance and currently have it through the time I turn 31 thanks to Obama.

The best situation would be a career path that will give insurance but also be sympathetic of our "dilemma" even though I would not openly share with potential employers my condition, due to the fact that once my hair grows back, no one knows I have multiple myeloma unless I tell them.

I am a very young individual who stayed in school and completed my degree in the normal 4 years while having 3 surgeries in my sophomore year during my winter, spring, and summer break. Also not missing a day of work during the almost 2 years I was getting chemotherapy.

My body is not what it was at 18 years old, and now, going through the stem cell transplant, I feel like my career will not be able to stay this way without making a change. Lord knows how ill I will feel when I start up on maintenence Revlimid in a month after my post +100 day check up.

I know I am one of the youngest people to ever get myeloma and have been blessed to be alive for these past 8 years with minimal interruptions, but the aggressiveness I once had is gone and the ability of my body to come back after doing physical labor is just not there anymore.

Any suggestions or similar experiences?

[blair77]

Re: Changing career paths as young multiple myeloma patient

by blair77 on Tue May 06, 2014 6:53 pm

I have often thought there should be some third party charity that helps cancer survivors get back to work!

Have you tried asking the LLS for assistance with this question? Maybe they have some ideas.

[Barneasada]

Re: Changing career paths as young multiple myeloma patient

by Barneasada on Tue May 06, 2014 6:54 pm

I called them today and of course they can't help out. I was referred to local chapter, but I'm waiting on a call back.

It's like I get my multiple myeloma under control, but everything else is out of whack. So many things up in the air, it's a lot to deal with.

[Tconklin]

Re: Changing career paths as young multiple myeloma patient

by Tconklin on Wed May 07, 2014 8:58 pm

Have you tried Home Depot or Lowe's to see if they have openings in the plumbing department for sales, not installment? My husband was a plumber and was diagnosed at age 40 in August 2007. He had a tumor on his spine and compression fracture and never went back to work. He had long term disability through his job and received Social Security disability.

I wish you luck in finding a new career and all the best of health.

[Julie MM]

Re: Changing career paths as young multiple myeloma patient

by Julie MM on Wed May 07, 2014 11:00 pm

Hi Mark,

Wow, what a story of your diagnosis. So sorry multiple myeloma hit you so young, but you sound so bright, courageous, strong and determined to make the most out of your life, despite multiple myeloma. Congrats on completing your degree during your treatments! You're amazing!

I'm a college counselor and I would be happy to brainstorm ideas with you! There are so many ways you can redirect your degree, knowledge and talents; it's a matter of figuring out how you'd like to reinvent yourself, modify your talents, and what works for you physically, with multiple myeloma health complications.

I've had to reassess too, since my diagnosis (Dec 2009), treatments (2010), recovery (2010/2011), and recurrence (2013), as I don't have the stamina I used to, not to mention having to be careful with being immune compromised on a college campus!

Comment back if you would like to correspond and brainstorm career ideas. A person having a degree that is environmentally related, tends to be very sought after. I'm sure you will find something that will be very rewarding for you, and compatible with multiple myeloma issues.

Take care, and hang in there ... you are amazing and multiple myeloma can't sabotage your passions!

Julie

[Julie MM]

Re: Changing career paths as young multiple myeloma patient

by Julie MM on Wed May 07, 2014 11:15 pm

Just noticed when I typed M - M (no - ) in my above comment, the text automatically changes the M - M letters to the words multiple myeloma! Let's see what happens ...