I have never blogged before so this is a novel concept. I decided to blog about the journey I am about to take in battling multiple myeloma. I was inspired by Lisa Ray's Yellow Diaries, and several other postings I have seen on various Myeloma support sites. I hope my story will help others as their blogs have helped me.
A year and a half ago, I went for blood work to determine if I had rheumatoid arthritis as I was having some joint pain. (Turns out it was the Crestor I was taking for cholesterol that was the culprit.) The blood work revealed some proteins in my blood. After several more blood tests it was determined that I had MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance).
I was a little unnerved by this finding since I was only 49 years old at the time...but was assured that only a small percentage of people actually progress to anything other than MGUS in their lifetime. I was referred to a haematologist - Dr. C - and we began monitoring my protein levels every 3-4 months.
As I watched my IGG levels continue to rise, I was concerned that this was not going to be simply MGUS for the long haul. My free light chain assay indicated that I had an abnormal ratio of kappa to lambda - so I knew I was higher risk. In June, Dr. C upgraded my diagnosis to smouldering myeloma...and we took some xrays...only to find in August that it was active myeloma. I had some small lytic lesions in my skull.
This shocker came on the heels of my husband having a heart attack and cardiac arrest in April. I had also just returned to work myself, after having 2 tennis elbow surgeries (January and February). As I had to exhaust my sick leave credits in order to qualify for disability for that absence, I was left with no leave. I had to go back to work.
My doctor is 1.5 hours away by car and I requested that he refer me to a cancer hospital closer to home for my treatment. I am still waiting to hear from them with my first appointment. I am told that I am an excellent candidate for stem-cell transplant as I am young (in MM circles) and in good health. I am anxious to get started! You know how you get into those ass-kicking moods...well cancer is in for an ass-kicking from me!! :)
