My first symptoms that I really noticed was when I had some muscle spasms in my back, I went to the regular doc and it got treated like a normal back injury. It however didn't go away after about a month, took x-rays, I had a two fractures in my spine, so I was referred to a orthorpedist who several weeks later said I need to get checked for Multiple Myeloma as 40 yr old men just don't have fractures like that maybe at 60. About this time, I started to feel like absolute shit, I couldn't walk far without getting a bit short of breath but I figured that was because of the pain from my back. Turns out my kidneys were shutting down. The night I checked myself into Macon Medical center, at home, I woke up from a nap and saw my late Grandmother sitting next to my bed, I told the wife we are going to the hospital.

I checked in, my hemoglobin level was 3, no one could believe I was still capable of clear thoughts. I was started on the beginning of 4 units of blood and several units of platelets. About 2 hours in, I met my Oncologist who was on call that night, I thought I was a dead man but she told me forget what I read on the internet about the disease and that it was treatable. That was the turning point for me, I knew I could fight and what I was fighting. She explained the disease to me and what they were going to do to me for treatment, also what was in store for me over the next few days. I had to get a perma-catheter for dialysis as my kidney's barely functioned, to say I got tested was an understatement, and the vampires taking blood samples all time. I spent 2 weeks in the hospital, one week on the cancer ward, let me tell you that was an eye-opening experience. The guy in the room next to me was dieing of lung cancer and did he ever moan and cough at all hours, I had to keep my door shut at night with the tv blaring just to sleep.

Fast forward two months; Doing chemo twice a week, no longer have to go to dialysis as kidneys have turned back on, bones no longer brittle, hemoglobin as of last week was 11.5, and I am moving around well without having to use my cane much. The chemo regime is not bad at all and has only a few side effects, my hair has thinned a little and my nerves in my hands/feet get kind of numb but thats about it. I have to go to Emory today for a meeting with the top expert on Multiple Myeloma in the SE about a stem cell trial.

Some important things I have learned:
1. Accept your fate and drive on - The diagnosis didn't bother me, I accepted it and decided to drive on in a fighting mood. It was like being given the most bullshit EOD incident and then having to work the problem, quitting isn't an option.
2. Fight - I have already seen those who have no fight in their eyes, they don't last long. A guy I met, he gave up, dead inside 2 weeks and he wasn't that sick. I think my fast recovery is due to my fighting spirit!!!
3. No pity parties/too much reflection time - you can't change what has been done and too much negative reflection will effect your fighting spirit

John

Originally Posted By badfish274:
Aww man, he was one of the nicest and most knowledgeable guys on here.

Originally Posted By badfish274:

Aww man, he was one of the nicest and most knowledgeable guys on here.