FTintel

Close Multiple Myeloma
: III

I was 53 when I was diagnosed with MM. I was being treated for a pulled muscle (for 6 mos.), when they decided to do an x-ray which showed a tumor on my hip. An MRI showed that it was actually a large lesion and I was instructed to use crutches to prevent a break. Well, as luck would have it, I reached to switch off a kitchen light and heard this loud pop and I knew the hip had broken. Since it was 11:30 p.m... I decided to sit on the couch until morning, I knew this was going to be the start of a long haul. Boy, was I right. It took a week to find an appliance that would fit. I was in rehab for the second week when I underwent my first of a series of radiation treatments. When the radiation was done, I received my first chemotherapy (VAD) . I was really lucky, I responded to the treatment really well. I spent the next four months completing the treatment, before going to Stanford University. My treatment plan was to prepare for the harvesting of stem cells, in preparation for the high dose chemo and transplant. I did remarkably well in the harvesting, however, not so well with the high dose chemo. Complications from the hip transplant and preparation for the transplant left me so weak, and I lost so much weight, that they decided not to proceed until my cancer returned. Well, that was 7 years ago. I have had all kinds of problems stemming from the radiation treatments to my leg. Seems radiation keeps on killing... it is shrinking the veins and arteries in my leg which, of course, has circulation being almost nil; ham strings have tightened so that I now have a double leg contracture and must use a walker.... but, I still am here and have had the opportunity to be a grandma. I feel my grandson is and has been the best therapy ever.

Treatments

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

Lots of support. I was put on several prayer chains and I believe the power of prayer is amazing.

Aredia Working / Worked

I only had a few treatments of Aredia Zometa replaced it.

Compazine Working / Worked

I found that Compazine didnt seem to work. I was put on Kytril which was given in the IV before chemo then I was give pill form when I would leave the hospital.

Fentanyl Working / Worked

I had a lot of bone pain after treatment and I have radiationinduced neuropathy so i was give so many different pain killers most of which made me deathly ill. Fentanyl patch was a life send however it made me awfully sleepy. I was able to stop taking it a few months ago. I was so worried about being addicted but I was on it for five years and all I had to do was not put the patch on. I was so relieved.

Neupogen Working / Worked

This is what was used when I was preparing for the harvesting of stem cells. You injected yourself in the stomach to help produce the white cells.

Tagamet Working / Worked

Was prescription only at the time. It really did help with the heartburn.

Zometa Working / Worked

Zometa was given from 2002 through present time. It has been the only maintenance I have had. I have been concerned that I have been on this too long. I recently had a consultation with my former oncologist and he tells me that the practice now is to give Zometa for two years following the last chemo treatment. Oops! That means I should have stoped a long time ago.