Multiple Myeloma: Come introduce yourself and let's talk

@lkzvlk What a challenge for you, to be able to participate in this trial! I see that there are two currently through Mayo Clinic. I hope you will continue to be able to post here and let us know how you are doing. In November last year I was formally diagnosed with smoldering myeloma, although apparently a year earlier the oncologist in my old town knew of the issues but failed to inform me.
Ginger

My wife was just diagnosed

Hi @chickey and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I am so sorry to hear about your wife's new diagnosis of multiple myeloma. As you will see, I moved your statement about her diagnosis to a discussion that was already started about being diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. I did this so that you can connect with other members that are going through similar situations as your wife.

You can hit the reply button in your email notification or follow this link to get to the discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/multiple-myeloma-26f521/

I'd like to invite back @gingerw, @lkzvlk, and @kandc317 to the conversation.

@chickey, can you tell us a little more about your wife's situation? Where was she diagnosed and what were the key indicators?

Diagnosed in October of this year. Went in for her yearly fiscal. Blood work showed her protein off the chart and was immediately referred to a local oncology clinic . Start treatment. Next step is a stem cell transplant. So much information overload.

@chickey Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I was formally diagnosed with multiple myeloma earlier this year, and am under a wait-and-watch plan, although we may be starting treatment come March 2021.

Here is the link to an article from Mayo Clinic, on multiple myeloma, that will give you some great information: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-myeloma/symptoms-causes/syc-20353378
Also, the International Myeloma Foundation has a lot of information, and has a packet of material they will send out to you: myeloma.org

Is your wife's first treatment modality stem cell transplant, or another type [chemo or targeted radiation]? You can check with your local cancer clinic, and get the names of the care team, that will include a patient advocate and social worker. Let them assist you with questions and concerns you and your wife have. It is a great you are there for her! When you said her protein was off the chart, what protein was that? Have there been any other diagnostic procedures done?
Ginger

Blessings on your husbands remission!How old was your husband when he was diagnosed? Did he have bone/kidney issues?

I was diagnosed with stage 3 myeloma and had high paraprotein and much bone involvement. That was over 29 years ago. Mayo sesond opinions were key, as described in my book, The Man in the Arena:Surviving Multiple Myeloma since 1992. Profit goes to charity.

@mountain009 , this page is has a lot of survivors. I will tell you, my husband was diagnosed with advanced disease in 2010, and still has a decent quality of life. Are you comfortable sharing some of your story here?

https://youtu.be/jMy1H6m-Lk0 This 30 minute video interview gives key aspects of my 29+ myeloma survival.

I absolutely loved the conversation about do we fight this thing or do the bucket list? My husband shouted out from behind me, “BOTH”.
I love your story. Thank you for sharing it. We had the honor of meeting Mike Katz at one of the myeloma seminars by the International myeloma foundation, he was a 26 or 27 years at that time. That really created a lot of hope for us at that time when we were not really given any here locally. Then we went to Mayo and found our amazing oncologist just 150 miles away. Now he is only about 70 miles. We are truly blessed.