I’m sorry you’re in this club that no one ever wants to join. Hopefully, my experience will give you some solace. I started getting what I was told were sinus infections in November 2008. I got sicker and sicker, lost all my energy and a ton of weight, had severely debilitating headaches, and finally was diagnosed with MM in May of 2009. My wonderful oncologist gave me hope and I immediately started chemo, thalidomide, and steroids. That November my stem cells were harvested for an autologous stem cell transplant to follow in January, the day before my 50th birthday. I spent three weeks in the hospital, another four months at home recuperating and then went back to my teaching job in September. I started and remained on revlimid for 11 years, and I’ve remained in remission all this time. I see my oncologist every month. In September of 2010 my kids were just starting high school and college respectively, and I wasn’t sure I’d be there for their graduations or to see them grow up. I turned 65 in January. One child is married and the other engaged, and my beautiful grandchild was born last summer. Although I can’t say I’ve ever felt like my old self again life has gone on, and I’m most grateful to be here to enjoy it. MM is such a scary thing to live with since it’s always a beast on your back, but I’ve managed to remain hopeful all these years, and new treatments are being developed all the time. I pray for those suffering from blood cancers that one day we’ll have a cure. I expect to be around to see it.