My sister has Multiple Myeloma, but is doing well.

***S. Lisa Smith*** · 06-08-2008, 01:24 PM

Well, been meaning to post this for a while, but with our trips to Richmon and my Mom's visit and summer full on us, things have been busy.

The begining of May, my sister, who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma had a stem cell transplant. She exhibited none of the usual symptoms, it had been discovered in a routine physical. She is extremely fit, running and swimming almost every day, so she was an excellent candidate for treatment. She had undergone chemo and had taken other drugs and was ready for the transplant or infusinon (more correctly). She had been given human growth hormone to release her own stem cells, and they were collected. Her bone marrow was killed and her "new" stem cells were infused. She was supposed to be in the hospital for up to a month. She lost her hair. Anyway she was only in the hospital for two weeks and a few days. After release from the hospital she was supposed to see the clinic every day for about a month and then go to every other day, then twice a week, etc. The first day she went to the clinic, they said she could skip a day. When she went back in, they changed it for her to come only Mondays and Thursdays. She is doing very, very well!

She didn't want our Mother to come while she was in the hospital, so Mom came when she was released. My sister didn't want her to stay with her (as an aside, she has to have 24 hour care for at least 100 days after the transplant-her friends, God bless them, volunteered to stay with her!) and my Mom really wanted to. The original plan was for Mom to stay with us and we would run her up to my sister's for day trips. Of course, my Mom was frantic during the time she couldn't visit while my siter was in the hospital so they agreed that Mom could stay with my her for a few days. That actually worked very well, but my sister was worring about Mom as much as Mom was worring about her. Anyway, Mom came back to our house and we took another day trip up to see my sister, which worked out well. A much calmer Mom returned to Florida this past week.

Tomorrow she goes to see the transplant doctor and will see if she can just have people stay with her in the evenings rather than 24 hours a day. I hope she can, it will make life much easier for both my sister and her friends. Anyway, that's what's going on with me other than surfing and being on MUT.

tuna_fish · 06-08-2008, 01:49 PM

thats great that she's doing so well!!!!!!!!!

***Dragonfly*** · 06-08-2008, 02:02 PM

Sorry to hear about your sister, Lisa. I hope everything turns out in her favour.

~Ms.August~365 · 06-08-2008, 04:50 PM

Glad your sister is doing well. Hope she is in high spirits and I will keep you all in my prayers.

***magosienne*** · 06-09-2008, 07:10 AM

i'm glad she is doing so well !!

***pinksugar*** · 06-09-2008, 07:26 AM

it sounds like she is doing well.

My best wishes for a fast recovery. She is obviously surrounded by many people who love her very much and is getting the best of care.