Stem Cell Transplant

When I was first diagnosed, I was advised that my best hope was a stem cell transplant. However, the hospital I was referred to had never done a stem cell transplant. I did not want to be their first! I was told that both Princess Margaret in Toronto and the Ottawa General Hospital do stem cell transplants. I went for a visit at the Ottawa General Hospital and was very impressed. They have a state of the art stem cell and research facility . I transferred to Ottawa and was very happy with the reception we received. I continued chemotherapy in preparation for my stem cell transplant.

Mammograms

Well I turned 50 this past weekend and my oncologist wanted me to have a mammogram. Although, I am really not keen about being exposed to any more radiation then necessary, I had the procedure done. The jury is still out on the benefits of mammograms and the verdict seems to be a moving target. I believe if you have a family history of breast cancer then it is a wise decision. However, I am not confident that you should be exposing yourself to radiation (which causes cancer) all the time. I have completed this mammogram, but for the future I think I will continue to use self examination and be aware of any changes. A tough decision to make, as you should be pro-active, not re-active.

Symptoms

Symptoms can be obvious or more often then not invisible. Obvious symptoms can be blood in stools, change in a lesion, pain, lumps or loss of weight. Other symptoms may be flu like or non-existent. Just go with your gut feeling, feelings that you are just not yourself. By the time I went to my doctor my symptoms had become very obvious. Why did I wait? Stubborness, lack of time? I'm not sure, but I now know that we need to be alert to our body and it's changes, we need to look after our health. Within 2 days of finally visiting my doctor I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Multiple Myeloma. Don't wait, you are worth the time to take care of yourself. Go with your gut and don't procrastinate!

Suppressed immune system

It has taken me longer then I want to shake this sickness. However, after chemo and transplants my immune system no longer has the strength and fortitude it once had. Coping with a suppressed immune system is something we cancer patients must contend with. It is why I quiver when I see people coughing and sneezing into their hands and then spreading their contaminates on every surface imaginable. The littlest infection can be of great danger to anyone with a damaged immune system. My greatest hope is that as I experience these illnesses it will help build some immunity in my new bone marrow and build some resilience for me. In the meantime I seem to pick up more things and take longer to get over them. As long as I always get over them, I can be okay with that!