Wondering

My docotrs informed me that radiation does NOT cure MM but it does help with the bone pain and slow the deterioration. I truly hope they are doing something else as well. While on radiation make sure your friend has their Red blood cell and white blood cell count done each week. Does not take long to have these fall to a dangerous level while having radiation.

take care mms

On 3/22/2008 ja83ja wrote:

My firend just found out last week that he has MM.  They found bone deterioration already in his arm and it has also spread to his back.  They started radiation yesterday and they want to do it every day for the next two weeks.  I'm wondering if this is a good sign or bad?  I'm still all new to this, as is he, and he is still having a hard time accepting and talking about what the doctors are telling him.  Thanks in advance....

From Anna,

Hi ja83ja, None of this is a good thing. Radiation has side effects. Don't know what all they are but I know it can.  Dad's only had a little of it in the almost 10 years he's been dealing with it.  Have you been to the Multiple Myeloma site yet?  Here's the links I have:

The International Myeloma Foundation Is Here To… http://www.myeloma.org/  Web site

The Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation http://www.multiplemyeloma.org/  Web site

alt.support.cancer (unread)  aol://5863:126/alt.support.cancer  AOL message board on all kinds of cancer including Multiple Myeloma.

Blood & Lymph Disorders aol://5863:126/mBLA:107465  Another AOL message board.

IMF: Research: Clinical Trials http://www.myeloma.org/myeloma/research_trials.jsp  Clinical Trials site

Multiple Myeloma aol://5863:126/mBLA:107443  Message board.  Good
one.

Myeloma - Home Page from About.com  http://cancer.about.com/health/cancer/msub19.htm  Web site.

MyelomaExchange http://www.webspawner.com/users/myelomaexchange/ Web site.

Welcome to CUREtoday.com - Be sure to get your …  Online magazine about Cancer

Myeloma Focus
3 Forest Street
New Canaan, CT  06840

International Myeloma Foundation-Myeloma Today Magazine
2129 Stanley Hills Dr.
Los Angeles, CA  90046

Cure
ATTN Sammons Tower Ste 4802
3535 Worth St
Dallas, TX  75246-9930

 Hope they help. 

 Your friend,

 Anna

My doctor doesn't like the idea of using radiation.  In fact, while the ortho surgeons were wanting to radiate and cut on the large tumor crushing my spinal cord, he said no and shrunk it with the chemo.  In fact, the chemo has cleaned dozens of lesions from my bones and possibly the tumor completely....will know with my next round of imaging prior to my second transplant.

Hope all works out with you friend...maybe he should get a second opinion from a MM specialist.