Multiple Myeloma Diagnosis

Summer of 2023, I started having extreme back pain and hip pain. I bent over in my kitchen to pick something up, and I couldn't get back up again. I had to grasp the walls to hold on. I made an appointment with the spinal clinic and was told, after various tests, x-rays, etc., that I had osteoarthritis. Then, I began having bouts of constipation. I called my PCP and asked him to please order an abdominal x-ray since this was so unusual. The abdominal x-ray showed lesions along my spine, L1 and L2 specifically. An MRI followed, and the confirmation was obtained. I was referred to the Comprehensive Cancer Center at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. What a dynamic team I have!

Although it took some months to stabilize me, I never had any side effects. I am on targeted therapy, and I feel wonderful.

I recently became stable and was able to have a successful right hip surgery. My right hip issue was not from the cancer but from avascular necrosis. I'm now recovering from that and will be resuming my therapy on Tuesday, 10/8. My hip was the worst problem I dealt with, and hopefully, this will heal well, with the completion of physical therapy in the future allowing me to really get going. I feel totally blessed that I have such fantastic medical support. It's been said that God puts you in a place where you need to be, and I believe it.

I'm 74, and I was pretty vivacious—always active and a retired registered nurse. Am I upset about the cancer? Well, it's not something I wanted or expected, but I deal with it as I would any other medical situation. What's the sense of being upset, angry, or bitter? It's a useless waste of energy. I thank God every day for my wonderful doctors and caregivers. This is my journey, and I will do what I need to do to get to the finish line.