Life Changes

January 31, 2011:  Well, this was a day I sure wasn't looking forward to.  I guess none of us in the "smoldering" stage of Myeloma want to hear the words "your numbers aren't going in the right direction".  Egads, and for nearly 2 years to the day, I had just gotten comfortable with the "smoldering" idea - kinda hot, don't ya think?  Yep, smoldering sounds much better than Stage I.

Funny (not ha/ha funny) but two years ago, Kelly was with me when I got the news that my bone marrow biopsy showed I had MM.  Talk about shell shocked. She was with me January 31, 2011, too,  when I got the Stage I news.  Well, actually, she was in the waiting room.  I've always been extremely private and choose to have visits/chats with my doctor alone.

Let's start at the beginning, though.  Most people aren't even aware they have MM until symptoms begin.  As for me, I was taking a medication that had the potential of causing liver problems.  So, my doctor suggested blood work every six months.  In March of 2003, I had blood work done, and my liver counts were elevated.  After further indepth testing, I was diagnosed with MGUS (which I fondly referred to as Gus-Gus, you know, from Cinderella).  The actual name is Monoclonal Gammopathy of an Unidentified Significance - whew.  Bottom line - they don't know really what it is, there's just stuff there that doesn't belong - how's that for layperson's talk?  Thank God for oncologists, cuz this stuff is crazy heavy!

I've done a lot of reading since 2003 about MGUS and Myeloma - most of the information states pretty much the same thing;  in most cases, nothing ever happens, in other cases, it can take up to 20 YEARS before developing into active myeloma, and  it usually strikes males typically of African descent, and in the age group of between 60-70.  Hmmmm - let me think - female, age 53 at MGUS diagnosis and Portuguese.  When I get "home" I plan on having a LONG chat with my mother LOL.

I had my first bone marrow biopsy in 2005 - what an experience THAT was.  Kelly, Marilyn and Tuck were there for moral support, but were not in the room - thank goodness.  I'm sure they all would have passed out at the size of the needle.  Good thing I didn't see it.  While the doctor is able to numb some areas, they cannot numb the marrow itself.  So, all isn't too bad until they "hit bone" - not a pain that can be described, for sure.  Suffice it to say, I have an extreme "potty" mouth, but the only thing that came out of my mouth that day and for all future BMB was "Oh, golly".  Yes, you heard me, something Shirley Temple would say, right?