My best friend of well my entire life was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer today. Me being me I am researching like a mad man. Has anyone here had first hand dealings with this type of cancer? Do you mind sharing your story? If you are not comfortable talking about this in a public forum please pm me. I am desperately trying to find ways to help my friend. She is 37 and it is definitely too early for her to leave.
From my LITTLE bit of research it doesn't seem as though it is one of the worse cancers. The problem here is she was just diagnosed today, the oncologist says she has a spot on the top of her spine, it has completely eaten away her L5, two of her ribs it has eaten into to the point that they have cracked and she has a spot on her hip. A bone marrow biopsy was done today but the results will not be back in until Monday, great weekend of SEVERE worry. He cannot tell us a stage 1, 2 or 3 until seeing the results of the bone marrow biopsy, BUT he says from what he can tell from the biopsy they did on her rib that the cancer has only been there a few months, so it's pretty darn aggressive. I would REALLY appreciate hearing personal stories to help try to figure out the best treatment plan, I know that is up to the doctor but I have been given power over her medical decisions in the event that she cannot decide for herself and I plan to be involved in her treatment and recovery.
Oh, Larry.... I'm so terribly sorry. I haven't had personal experience, but I had a friend, about twenty years ago, that had this diagnosis and with aggressive treatment she lived quite a few years. She did eventually succomb to this illness. She went to MD Anderson in Houston, TX and after that she was in remission for quite a while.
They've made great strides in treating this since my friend was diagnosed and treated. I'm sorry to say that, from your description, this does sound like this is pretty aggressive, but one should always hold on to hope.
You're a good man, and she's fortunate to have you standing by her side. My thoughts and prayers will be with her and you as you try to help her get through this.
I do not have any experience with this type of cancer, but I know the feeling of a scary diagnosis... And I know "Dr. Google" can be the scariest doctor you could ever consult.
A couple years ago, I was diagnosed with a "lesion" in my lung and it was a week between that revelation and talking with a doctor about what we could do, etc. I never smoked, but it was cancer. Reading about what I suspected, etc., I was terrified because according to the internet, most people don't really don't live to see the other side of that diagnosis.
As it turned out, it was a very rare type. Had major surgery but didn't need chemo.
I really hope your friend will also get good news and hope she has doctors who explain things well.
Oh, Larry.... I'm so terribly sorry. I haven't had personal experience, but I had a friend, about twenty years ago, that had this diagnosis and with aggressive treatment she lived quite a few years. She did eventually succomb to this illness. She went to MD Anderson in Houston, TX and after that she was in remission for quite a while.
They've made great strides in treating this since my friend was diagnosed and treated. I'm sorry to say that, from your description, this does sound like this is pretty aggressive, but one should always hold on to hope.
You're a good man, and she's fortunate to have you standing by her side. My thoughts and prayers will be with her and you as you try to help her get through this.
Thank you, unfortunately her Oncologist informed us today that the cancer is affecting her bone marrow and that she will have to have constant radiation and chemotherapy treatments for the rest of her life and then he added that it probably would not be a long life.
Thank you, I am happy that you won your battle
I still would love to hear anyone's story. I am thankful that with the large membership here so far no one has had to deal with this type of cancer.
Is your friend open to any sort of alternative or natural therapy? I am not a believer in cures, but I do think that there are things that can be done to manage the cancer better that doctors do not recommend, since it is taboo to recommend supplements or radical diet changes in Western medicine.
I can definitely see how naturally boosting one's immune system could help one withstand cancer treatments better, and making a diet change, such as embracing a raw diet or another diet rich in vegetables with minimal processed food, could be beneficial since cancer cells multiple quicker when the body produces excess insulin.
At the very least, I feel like doctors should refer patients to someone who can discuss alternative therapies to complement the conventional ones...instead of just telling you that you're going to need to be scalded with radiation and poisoned with chemotherapy. Taking an anti-nausea pill isn't the only thing you can do to make it easier to cope with the treatment.
