On 7/10/2007
Optimist1 wrote:
I am 51 year old woman diagnosed with MGUS after routine physical about 6 months ago. Doctor gave me many numbers and I wrote them down, but he said only thing to do was have more blood work in 6 months. Apparently other than this I am healthier than most women my age. (Other than that Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?) Freaked and considered my mortality for a while, then forgot about it for a while, but with blood test next Monday I am freaking again. Doctor said I also am borderline anemic and have a little auto immune thing, but he said he thought they were all related. I am nearly but not quite in menopause and am wondering if there is any relation to that.
Don't have anyone to talk to re this as I do not want to scare my elderly parents and my significant other had his own brush with cancer several years ago so I do not want to bring it up with him either. And no one else has any idea what I am talking about, including the anesthesiologist when I went for my screening colonoscopy!!
Has anyone else been told to stay away from second hand smoke and unnecessary X-rays? Would appreciate any thoughts and would like to e-mail with any interested. Thanks!
Hello Optimist1:
I read your email today and my thoughts are very close to yours.
I was diagnosed with Mgus in March of this year after a routine physical. I have posted on this site previous to your email. I can begin by telling you that I as well relate to how you feel, being freaked by all this. I have a follow up tomorrow with my oncologist and am as you describe - not ready for it. I go back and forth, scared, not scared and back as you describe. Each one of us has a challenge and for whatever reason, Mgus has become a part of ours. I have faith in what I have and that is a chance to live. I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma twice, prior to Mgus. It's all clear to me that I can fight and survive, but it's not easy.
My advice and support to you is take a deep breath each day and see what it is that gives you hope. Find strength by holding on to this. Have faith in your doctors and pray for them as well. And most of all have faith in yourself.
I have support from my husband, family friends but it comes and goes truthfully. There is an alone feeling in Mgus I have found. But there is also strength in that. It can be tiring I have to say to be the strength behind the fear but it is I have found what gets me through.
In addition, staying active, eating healthy and getting quality sleep is what we need. Manage stress if you can. This is a hard one I have found. Mgus in and of itself is stressfull. I get tired and this is my greatest concern as far as symptoms go. I understand your concern, wanting to distinquish your symptoms, anemia..and is it menaupause. My advice is to keep your doctors informed of your symptoms and ask questions. I found this site to very helpful and informative.
I am sending best wishes to you for good health and happiness. I hope I was helpful. Thank you for reaching out to all of us. Patti