I’m a caregiver who has just been diagnosed with bone marrow cancer

Hello @nrdl2879 My goodness, when it rains it pours. You certainly didn’t need to add more to your stress level. It is encouraging that your husband is doing well on the experimental drug for his lung cancer.
However, now you have been diagnosed with a bone marrow cancer. If it’s any consolation, I had a very aggressive bone marrow cancer 6 years ago and in full remission. There may be different treatment options available depending the type of cancer you have.
It would be helpful if you could tell me a little more about your diagnosis. I had AML, which is a form of leukemia. There are countless members here who have had varying types of blood cancers and conditions and I’d like to connect you with the right group! It can really take the loneliness out of a diagnosis to be able to talk with someone who understands what you’re going through.
Do you have a firm diagnosis? What is the medication you’re taking for treatment?

I have myelodysplastic syndrome ( MDS). I will be starting on Lenalidomide hopefully next week. Caught it early

Good morning, @nrdl2879 I hope you’re having a pleasant day so far. I’m relieved that the oppressive heat seems to have moved on from my neck of the woods. But we are under heavy smoke from wild fires so there won’t be any outside activities today! Yikes.

It’s good to see that your doctor discovered the MDS early so that you can start treatment. Connect has several discussions with members who also have MDS. Just so you are aware, there are different types of MDS, some being a little more troublesome than others. So some of the conversations you read through may not be relevant to your condition. But it can be helpful to be able to talk with others who know what you’re going through.

A good place for you to start might be this discussion: Living with MDS with @momz and others… https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/living-with-mds/

Since Revlimid is the brand name for Lenalidomide, which you’ll be starting soon. You might find this discussion helpful:
Is anyone here taking Revlimid:
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/is-anyone-here-talking-revlimid-for-chemo-if-so-please-share-with-me/
Feel free to drop into any discussion. We’re all here to support each other as you’ve found out in the Caregiver Group. ☺️
Were you having symptoms that led up to your discovery of MDS?

Thank you for the info. I was blaming my symptom on being tired from taking care of my husband I will check out these websites

@nrdl2879 I am so sorry to hear about your MDS. Can you find out if the oncology office, where you will be treated, has a social worker? They may be able to help you with resources for caring for your husband. Things like car rides to his appointments, registered nurses aides who could stay with your husband when you have your appointments, etc.
Do you have family or friends who might help?

I will ask about a social worker. Good idea. We do have 2 sons who can help. And friends. Just overwhelmed. We will both be on chemo pills. 3 weeks on 1 week off. I plan on making 2 spreadsheets of each our medicines and when we take them so family can take over if i can’t.

Hi @nrdl2879, I am a caregiver who also has cancer. My husband has Parkinson's and I have stage III esophageal cancer. Get help from your friends if you can. I feel as if I am expected to take care of my husband, but when it comes to my own health, I feel as if he doesn't really care, because he has his own worries. Friends have been the lifeline for me and groups like this. Find support elsewhere, take any help that is offered.

I wish you the very best

Hello,
First and foremost, I want to say that I hear you and I am so sorry that you were diagnosed with cancer. As a caregiver for others, it’s almost in fathomable to think that you could come down with any kind of illness.
I’m so sorry that your husband doesn’t see or maybe he can’t take care of you the way you would like him to. I am new to this group. I just signed up today but I too was diagnosed with multiple myeloma a year and a half ago. I’m in remission, but my mother.(Step mom) was diagnosed 22 years ago with multiple myeloma and also four years ago was diagnosed with Parkinson’s so I feel that every time I’m around her it’s all eyes. All attention is paid to her and very little if any on me so I do completely understand how you feel if I could offer one or two pieces of advice is that it’s so important that you take care of yourself whether that’s going for a walk or having a cup of your favorite beverage, hot coffee, tea and that you take at least 35 to 40 minutes each day just for yourself.
Deep breathing helps a lot. I’m a huge fan of Tony Robbins and he talks about something called priming. You can look it up on YouTube.
Priming/ Tony Robbins.com
It’s only 10 minutes and it’s a way to start your day with positivity fresh oxygen getting into your body and remembering beautiful things that have happened in your past in present day and in the future it’s a wonderful way to start your day. I do it very often and I also do yoga four times a day at my local health club . I want you to know I hear you and I see you. 🥰
With Joy,
Julia 🌻

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. My mother was diagnosed with sarcoidosis of the brain that spread to her organs. Out of love for caring for others, I opened my own in-home care agency. It feels good to be able to give back to those that have experienced similar situations like my family, and I have. I just wanted to stop by and encourage you and your family. It will get better, just take it one day at a time.

@juliamayne Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect! Your 1st posting today was very helpful! I hope you will stay with us and use your very positive attitude to cheer up others.
If I may, I’d like to know how you found Mayo Clinic Connect.