Our Multiple Myeloma fact of the day

Depending on your condition they put you in different stages ( 1,2,3) and treat you differently

The one that got me was.......

Stage 1 - over 600 million plasma cells
Stage 2 - 600-1,200 million plasma cells
Stage 3 - over 1,200 million plasma cells

No real information here.....except those are really big numbers.

No wonder sh.t goes wrong with the human body. Seems more complex than required. ....ok. It is supposed to be a sefl-repairing system. Still.

Billions of independent cells all humping/splitting and rubbing up as against each other. No wonder some weird mutant cells get produced. Amazing it doesn't happen more. ..... although it probably does happen a lot. Just most the mutants are like your lazy cousin/friend, who would have to actually get off the couch to cause a problem. Lazy and unproductive saves us again.
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Monday I go to Cancer clinic and learn the "what treatment and when".....and yes I will be wearing the "I'm Not Dead Yet" T-shirt. I have always believed it is better to offend and apologize, than to never risk offending.

Derek

That shirt is definately your good luck charm. Don't leave home without it! I really do believe keeping a good outlook is a key factor of beating cancer. Don't ever lose it bro, ever.

Incredible read, I wish you the best of luck. I really admire your positive outlook - Christ - I'd be like Eeyore in this situation.

Thoughts with you on what is going to be an amazing victory in life, I'm sure.

It's been said here already, but your attitude pretty much rocks. I would assume if anyone can beat this thing, it would be someone with so much cool about it.

Sort of reminds me of Will Hunting's explanation about why he would choose the wrench:

"Because ^&#$ him, that's why."

I know everyone here is looking forward to hearing that you are winning the fight. Give it hell.

So basically, you should ask for the most powerful chemo available. When the doctor says, "WTF? Why?"

"Because **** the cancer, that's why."

Warning -DOWNER POST - possible tear jerk moment... real men should look away(or close the door)

Telling people what you have is one of the toughest parts, but I have one friend that I have been putting off.

Len was my best friend from age 3 to 25 or so when I moved away. As kids we lived at each others houses and his parents were basicly second parents to me. I was best man at his wedding. 18-25 we lived together...blah blah... No change of feelings, he is just the kind of guy that never writes, calls or emails. Always kept his emotions inside. So over the last twenty years, we saw each other once a year or so, but the last 10 years, we lost touch except for a long winded xmas letter we send out every 2nd year.(I never even knew he got it) Then 2 years ago he tracked down my brother, got my email and we reconnected

July 2009 Len's wife called me. His dad was sick and likely has days. Len's wife was worried about Len as he keeps it all inside and has few close non-family firiends. She says he still talks about me as a best friend and could I come.

Father dies the next day...we go to the funeral and spend 5 days with Len and family. It was as great as a service/funeral can be. Good friends. Long lost family. The crying sad bits were mostly good memories and family together. Drank lots. Told old stories. Lot of laughter.

But his dad died of this cancer I had never heard of "multilple Myeloma". The doctors missed it for so long that by the time they figured it out, he was not treatable and his lower spine was rubble. He had heart issues for 25 years and back problems for 10 so the symptoms were missed. He only lasted 2 months after diagnosis and they were not nice.

Could not bring myself to call and talk to them, so I sent a long email today..... It feels like I am saying "you know that cancer your dad died of...I have it....but mine is treatable"..... I guess I feel if I reversed the roles, I would hear that a bit. Feel like I am dragging up the worst thing in his life. But you have to tell one of your best friends.

I used to think the hard part of getting really sick, was the being sick. So far it has been the telling people and the waiting. The support of family, friends and here has been amazing and helpful. Upsetting people not so much.

Great. Maybe I am not as much of a self-involved jerk as I thought...... Now Cancer is even ruining my self image. f..k cancer. Give me syphilis anytime.

Cue the appearance of teh herp!

As a cancer survivor I wish you well Merek, and am looking forward to the day when we welcome you into the 'kicked cancer's ass' club.


(nut cancer for anyone wondering )

OP is awesome and therefore he should get well ASAP , i wish him the best of luck

Thanks Chip - That is a club I want to join. I mean the "ass kicking club" not the "nut cancer" one

Back in my 30s I worried about nut cancer before ...not due to family history or long term issues, more due to a very odd and painful story. Maybe after dinner I will post that. It is the oddest and least believable pickup/injury story I have.

That's really crazy that you came down with the same thing his father had. I'm glad you sent him an email and told him about it. I think it's great that you two have been friends for so long and that you were able to go hang out with him when his father passed away. I'm sure that meant a lot to him, especially since he has few close friends. You sound like a really cool person, Merek (or is it Derek? i'm so confused!)

Good luck tomorrow. I'll be curious to find out what your treatment plan is going to be.

Get some sleep!

I have always wanted to be tough. Along the way I have changed my ideas of what tough is but I still want to be it. You sir are tough.

Want you to know that I am lurking this thread. That is all.

Well, I almost didn't read your post since I am one of the last real men on earth, , but it was a good story and I am glad I read.

I can only imagine what you are going through. But, one of the things I would imagine is that this telling of other people, especially someone you care about who had their father die of the same thing, would be the worst. You did the right thing all around.