Cindy’s Multiple Myeloma Blog

Hello! I started this Blog October 13, 2007. At the time of this writing, I am 52 years old. I am a single female, mother of two wonderful grown sons, ages 28 and 29, both married to wonderful girls. Also, I will be a grandmother sometime near February 2008 (due date 2/7/08). We already know the baby is a boy, to be named “Lane.” How exciting!

I live on 17 acres and am an animal lover. That is why I have 4 horses, 4 dogs, 4 cats, plus barn cats. (Regarding the barn cats, yes, I have spayed the females that I could catch. There is one female that is too shy for me to catch. A trap won’t work because I’d just catch all the cats…..urggg.) I love living in the country, if I can call it that. I suppose there are some people who considers country with far more acreage and more distant neighbors than what I live on.

I worked for Sprint for 18 years before I got sick, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM), and had to go on disability. I was first first put on oral treatment of Thalidomide/Dexamethasone from October 2005 to March 2006. In April 2006 I had an autogolous stem cell transplant (SCT), but unfortunately it did not produce a remission. As a matter of fact, just under 60 days after the SCT, my IGG serum nearly tripled!! I was then put on Revlimid/Dexamethasone and I responded very well to it except for the side effects one suffers from medications, especially steroids.

Just recently, October 2007, I have been taken off steroids. Of course I take other medications such as Oxycodone, Potassium, aspirin (for the Revlimid), and Acyclovir. I also take vitamins and other supplements on my own.

All-in-all, I’m not doing too bad. I have a strong faith so God gives me strength, courage, and contentment.

If you are family or friend, I hope this blog keeps you updated on my status ~ to your liking!

If you are a fellow MMr, I hope this blog is helpful to you. Actually, I probably have you more in mind than family or friends. I know it helps me when I read blogs or talk to fellow MMr’s and compare my symptoms or feelings to theirs. Sometimes we’re similar and often not so alike, but it still helps. We’re not in this alone!

Below is a picture of my boys and me in November 2005, just about one month after I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM). Today, due to steroids and the SCT, I have a fat face, have gained weight, and have short hair. Oh well, such is life…there are more important things to worry about. I do, however, plan to improve where I can.