Challenges. That's the word that comes to my mind right now. How does one handle the challenge of cancer? My first thought on that would be to run. Run as fast and hard in the opposite direction as I can. Then this voice inside reminds me that I am not the person who has had this thing called Multiple Myeloma raise its ugly head inside my body. In that respect I can only imagine. As I have been placed in the new role of caregiver my husband tells me that I have the hardest part. I DON'T THINK SO.
My husband:
Glen Ross, age 55
Diagnosed July 01, 2010, Multiple Myeloma, non-secretory, 17p13 deletion, stage II
Eight and a half months have pasted since our lives, Glen's and mine, took an unexpected detour. Our long term goals have not changed. How we get there has. That doesn't mean that we won't make it. Even though we did not choose this particular journey we are on there have been some amazing opportunities that everyone should have the chance to experience at some point in their lives. The type of experiences per say that brings a person to their knees in utter humility. Experiences that gives one the opportunity of recognizing the Lord's hand in all things and the blessings that come from adversity. Blessings come in many forms; not all are recognized and thanks are not always given.
Its time to end for now. I have too many thoughts, too many things I want to write but I must take a breath, take a step back and allow my brain to be able to organize just what it is I want to say. I can say this; I am so very grateful for the many thousands of individuals who chose to work in the science and medical field. Glen and I have met some amazing individuals. We thank our Heavenly Father daily for family and friends, even strangers who bless our lives. Sweet dreams, Vannette
I found your blog via Pat Killingsworth's blog "Living with Multiple Myeloma". My husband and I reside in Nebraska. He was diagnosed late June 2010 with MM. He chose to be on a study, and was given Velcade, Revlimid and Dexamethazone. Along with those, he was on Allopurinol and Sulfameth. After 2 cycles, he broke out in an awful rash, and within 10 days, was hospitalized with sepsis pneumonia. He was in the hospital for 8 days, 5 of those in ICU. When he was able to continue with chemo, the doctor took him off the Allopurinol and Sulfameth, but kept everything else the same. After 6 cycles, he had a bone marrow biopsy, which came back "with no traces of MM". He is now on just the Revlimid and Dex. He had a stem cell collection Thanksgiving week, collecting in just one day! I found it interesting that your husband also broke out in a rash. Just curious...was he on either Allopurinol or Sulfameth? My husband is 56. As the caregivers, you and I know exactly what each other is going through. Blessings to you and your husband.
ReplyDeleteBev,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. Glen has not taken either the Allopurinol or the Sufameth. Forgive me if this is a duplicate post back. I know I answered you but I don't see it so . . On the day that you wrote, Glen was actually collecting, four days earlier than projected and he too collected in one day. His Dr. does required two separate collections days regardless. He's on break now and will go on the 4th to start the next step.
Hope all is well, take care, Vannette