[Montana Sue]

Two years since diagnosis

by Montana Sue on Tue May 13, 2014 9:22 pm

This is about when I was first diagnosed. Female, age 61 at the time when diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Having felt fatigued, went to general doctor for a lab test, just seeing if I had some minor problem. Ha, ha.

I was in renal failure, which flagged to doctors, something wrong to begin with, caused by the newly diagnosed multiple myeloma messing up my kidneys. In fact, my two year anniversary is happening now, in May 2014. So, in the very beginning, I was put on Velcade infusion, with a steroid only (and no Revlimid) and also was going to kidney dialysis 3 times a week. I did not have any bone lesions, the myeloma went after my kidneys at the time, period. Considered Stage II, whatever that means.

I do love how the various physicians (and I've asked a few), tell me if I ask any idea how this particular cancer happens to start, I often hear: just bad luck, we don't know. How about potential victims in future, our ships have sailed. Not like you smoked into some cancer, or have eaten Standard American Diet and got a cancer from that, or hormonal breast cancer, so you have some idea. This is one without a clear only at best murky idea of any reason our plasma cells go off.

I responded to Velcade extremely well I am told, as I was down to zero proteins in 2 months, like by July, 2012. Oncologist kept me on Velcade, and me and Velcade seem to do okay together, just so you know, until January, 2013.

Happily my kidney function has improved beyond Stage 5 and no need for kidney dialysis by September, 2012. Have not had to return since to kidney dialysis and it's now two years later. Thank goodness.

So, that is my beginning experience. Then, following what is considered "standard of care", I went to a big University Cancer Hospital out-of-state in January, 2013. Had autologous stem cell transplant and if you want any stories about that experience, I will tell you.

But, all of that is another story of ongoing treatment of multiple myeloma.

Moderator's note: This was originally posted as a response to one of the Beacon's ongoing Weekly Polls, but was moved to the Introductions / Personal Stories sections, since that seemed to be a better fit.

[Nancy Shamanna]

Re: Two years since diagnosis

by Nancy Shamanna on Wed May 14, 2014 8:59 am

Hi Montana Sue, Thanks for sharing the first part of your myeloma journey with us on the Forum. It would be nice to hear more of it too! You only live a few hundred km south of me here in Calgary!

Glad to hear that your kidney function recovered, and that the Velcade worked well for you.