CancerCompass message board discussion started by Mom Myeloma on 4/11/2005 http://www.cancercompass.com/message-board/message/all,1868,0.htm Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://backend.userland.com/rss RSS.NET: http://www.rssdotnet.com/ Hi, Can anyone who suffers from this disease tell me what a typical day is like? I have heard that this is the most painful of all cancers to have. Just wanting to get a heads up. Thanks Mom Myeloma Mon, 11 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT What is the type of cancer? Am I missing something.... Kauaileslie Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:00:00 GMT My wife suffers from this disease. and we live day to day because the pain can really bad one and the next day it not bad at all. each day, each week is difforent. we try to keep walking everyday to deal with the pain, it helps some. but we put our trust in Jesus Christ everyday and that helps the best. p.s. make sure you dont have any anger or unforgivness in your heart it will hold you back for God healing you.we are beliveing that God will heal my wife. Now that she has gottin rid of the unforgivness and bitterness towards others her pain has not been as strong as it used to be. my the Lord Jesus bless you and heal you follower of Christ Mr.Geno Mr. Geno Wed, 31 Aug 2005 00:00:00 GMT I was diagnosed in the year 2000 with MM and had a stem cell transplant in the year 2001. I've been through chemotherapy, was given Thalidamide for two to three years -- I can't remember; and I had several sessions of radiation treatments. I had many bouts with nausea, and the only drug I could tolerate for nausea was Ativan. I started having tremendous pain in my spine and went through about three sessions of vertebroplasty. I also began having problems with neuropathy in my lower extremeties and my lower arms. Arthritis in my shoulders and in my hips led to two hip replacements which were successful and one shoulder replacement, which was not very successful. The doctor has recommended doing the shoulder replacement again, but I'm not sure that I have the strength. My stomach and colon were giving me a lot of pain and irritation, so the doctor handling this problem did a colonoscopy and perferated my colon. This led to calling in a surgeon to do emergency surgery and left me with a colostomy which I've had to deal with for the last two or three years. The pain I was having to deal with was immense. My oncologist put me on MSIR and Ativan. He also put me on a series of Duragesic Patches -- 200 mcg every three days -- which helped me with the pain, but did not eliminate it. Of course, I lost my job, and my insurance ran out, so I had to apply for and was granted Medicare. The company that manufactures the patches agreed to furnish them to me because, with our income, we couldn't afford it. (It cost $1000.00 a month.) My husband lost his job just about the time I was diagnosed with cancer. He is 63 years old and has only been able to acquire an occasional part-time job. He applied for early social security the first of this year and got it; however, this caused us to go past our allowed income to get aid with the Duragesic patches. I've had to stop the patches, and my pain has come back two-fold. I'm especially having pain down my back in the left side. I had some xrays made and they concluded I had broken some ribs and the xray pictures looked like broken ribs that were in a healing process. I've been going to the hospital to get post stem cell care once a month for IVIG and Aredia for about two years now because the hospital will give me financial aid. Prior to that I was getting this treatment at the cancer center here. A friend called me a couple of months ago to tell me people taking this treatment were having problems with atrophy of the jaw bone. My doctor sent me for xrays, but he has asked me to have my dentist check my jaw to see if I should have any other sort of tests run before he starts me back on the Aredia. Oh yes, I've also had procrit shots and I'm now taking B12 shots. I feel very tired and I don't think I have the strength to go through any further operations. Sorry for this extremely long answer. In short, the pain I'm having is extreme. I'd love to have a daily massage. I think that would be wonderful. I don't have any answers for you regarding what to do about your pain. I pray you will find some relief. Let me know if you hear about any new wonder drug that comes along. Thanks Marico Thu, 06 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT Hello Marico, Thank you for your long letter. Mine will be shorter as I have numbness in my hands which makes it difficilt to type. I have had MM for 3 years and have done chemo, radiation, etc. I have decided to stop all treatment except for Durogesic patches (175) every 48 hours and Aridia once a month. My question to you is: I have been told that I will not be in pain when I die -0- that morphine will solve this. Do you know if this is true? My MM is increasing -- I have lost 50kg and my paraprotein is now up to 48. Numbers are confusing because I'm in Australia and things are measured differentlty. No one talks about dying and what to expect and I am curious. Many thanks, Cath Poppy Wed, 26 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT Cath, No one has discussed the pain that might be involved regarding death from this cancer. My weight has gone up (I'm assuming from the steroids and Ativan.) I've also been in a state of remission for about 2 1/2 years. I'm 60 years old. I try to think positive thoughts, and I have a wonderful pastor who comes to my home to give me communion. (It's very difficult and painful to get out and about.) I will pray for you. There is nothing stronger than the mighty power of God. Stay strong, Marico Marico Sun, 30 Oct 2005 00:00:00 GMT