Monthly Archives: September 2014

SoS: Symptom or Side-Effect?

Myeloma, side effects, SOS, symptoms

SoS-Spinner-300IRREVERENT AS IT MAY SEEM, after 15 months of diagnostics and 10 months of chemo treatments for Myeloma I’ve invented a new parlor game for my own amusement.

I call it “SoS” and it’s about guessing the underlying causes of a host of consequences I have experienced since my Myeloma saga began. Symptom? Side-Effect? Sometimes it’s not easy to tell. What follows may seem a little sardonic, but please trust me, none of these issues have been more than I (or anyone) can tolerate. They can also be a little funny at times  (at least to me): Continue reading SoS: Symptom or Side-Effect? →

Harvest Time

apheresis, stem cell, transplant

apheresis machineTHE MOMENT HAS ARRIVED to collect the stem cells I will need to donate to myself for my transplant next week.

I’m posting from the UA Cancer Center where I am connected to a machine that pumps my blood in and out of my body through my CVC catheter. The device is called a cell separator or apheresis machine, and it has clear plastic tubes that are connected to my “danglers” (remember them?).

The connections mean I must be confined to a bed for four hours today. Glad there’s good WIFI here in the clinic, so I can distract myself in various ways, including a bit of reading about my new mechanical companion. Continue reading Harvest Time →

The Danglers

medical, Myeloma, transplant, treatment

SOME ASPECTS of the Myeloma patient experience are so odd or new that they merit sharing.

So it is with The Danglers.

My brand-new  Central Venous Catheter was just implanted in my upper chest yesterday (Friday, Sept. 12). It connects to my superior vena cava, a major vein close to the heart. It will be used to administer medicines and withdraw and deliver blood and cells for my autologous stem cell transplant.

The “installation” was an outpatient surgical procedure at the University of Arizona Medical Center. It took about an hour. I was awake with just a little sedation, but I think I remember pretty much the whole process.

Continue reading The Danglers →

Famous Myelomans

celebrities, Journal, Myeloma

CURIOSITY LED ME to do a little research about well-known people who have faced Multiple Myeloma. I learned that we Myelomans are in some pretty fantastic company:

(Note: This post has been updated)

Tom BrokaMEET THE PRESS -- Pictured: Tom Brokaw -- NBC Photo: Mitchell Haasethw — One of the most respected journalists of our era, Brokaw announced his MM diagnosis in Feb. 2014 at the age of 74. He has said he is in treatment and expects to “be OK,” and he continues to make television and public appearances from time to time.

Ferraro200x200Geraldine Ferraro — A groundbreaking American politician, Ferraro served three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives and was the first female candidate for vice president, running on the  Democratic ticket alongside Walter Mondale in 1984. Ferraro lost her battle with MM on March 6, 2011, after surviving for 12 years. Continue reading Famous Myelomans →