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About Multiple Myeloma

About Multiple Myeloma

         As some of you might know, I have Multiple Myeloma (MM).  So, exactly what is Multiple Myeloma?  A lot of you might know very little about it, and I would be in the same boat if I didn't have it myself.  So let's answer that question. 

         Multiple Myeloma is a cancer that forms in a type of white blood cell called a plasma cell. Healthy plasma cells help fight infections by making proteins called antibodies. Antibodies find and attack germs.

         In Multiple Myeloma, cancerous plasma cells build up in bone marrow. The bone marrow is the soft matter inside bones where blood cells are made. In the bone marrow, the cancer cells crowd out healthy blood cells. Rather than make helpful antibodies, the cancer cells make proteins that don't work right. This leads to complications of Multiple Myeloma.

         Multiple Myeloma treatment isn't always needed right away. If the Multiple Myeloma is slow growing and isn't causing symptoms, close watching might be the first step. For people with Multiple Myeloma who need treatment, there are a number of ways to help control the disease.

         Well, I guess I needed treatment right away, but it could wait a little bit.  Here's why.  I was diagnosed with this disease in April 2021.  (I'm not going to bore you with how the doctors discovered I have this disease.)  I was scheduled for Sinus Surgery in May, the Oncologist said he would begin treatment two weeks later, and he did.  By December, I was placed in Remission.  When treatment began, about 40-50% of my White Blood Cells were Cancerous.  By December it was down to less than 3%.

         So what symptoms does one see when they have MM?  Here's a list, a partial list I'm sure.  Early in Multiple Myeloma, there might be no symptoms. When signs and symptoms happen, they can include (those in bold font are symptoms I was experiencing)

         Bone pain, especially in the spine, chest or hips

         Nausea

         Constipation

         Loss of appetite

         Mental fogginess or confusion

         Tiredness

         Infections  -  Remember, I had a Sinus Infection and never knew it

         Weight loss

         Weakness

         Thirst

         Needing to urinate often


         Sadly, these symptoms are experienced almost daily by most people.  But there's that first one, Bone pain, especially in the spine, chest or hips.  Sadly, this is when most people are diagnosed. The reason for the bone pain is that the Cancerous White Blood Cells are the only White Blood Cells in the bone marrow.  And they keep multiplying!  The bone bulges and eventually cracks.  That's the pain people feel.  I was very lucky since my Cancerous Cells were only 40-50% in my marrow when discovered.

         I don't know how I got this next statement fixed in my mind, I suspect I read something here online and made some assumptions.  A doctor didn't tell me this.  I thought that the Cancerous White Blood Cells couldn't leave the Marrow.  That is incorrect! Multiple Myeloma can attack your organs, especially the Kidneys.  Early on I was asked about my kidneys, if I had any problems using the bathroom.  Thankfully, I haven't, except when I had a Urinary Tract Infection.  So, how is Multiple Myeloma diagnosed?

         Tests and procedures to diagnose Multiple Myeloma include:

                   Blood tests. The M proteins made by Myeloma cells can show up in a sample of blood. Blood tests also might find another protein Myeloma cells make, called beta-2-microglobulin.  Other blood tests give your health care team clues about your diagnosis. These tests might include tests that look at kidney function, blood cell counts, calcium levels and uric acid levels.

                   Urine tests. M proteins can show up in urine samples. In urine, the proteins are called Bence Jones proteins.

                   Bone marrow tests. Bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration are used to collect bone marrow samples for testing. Bone marrow has a solid and a liquid part. In a bone marrow biopsy, a needle is used to collect a small amount of the solid tissue. In a bone marrow aspiration, a needle is used to draw a sample of the fluid. The samples are typically taken from the hip bone.  I've had 3 or 4 Bone Marrow Biopsy's done, thankfully my Oncologist knocks me out for those.  I'm told they're very painful, once I wake up I have a minor ache in my hip.  The Bone Marrow samples go to a lab for testing. In the lab, tests look for Myeloma cells. Other special tests give your health care team more information about your Myeloma cells. For example, the fluorescence in situ hybridization test looks for changes in the cells' genetic material, called DNA.

                   Imaging tests. Imaging tests can show bone problems linked with Multiple Myeloma. Tests may include an X-ray, MRI scan, CT scan, or positron emission tomography scan, also called PET scan.


         So, I have Multiple Myeloma, so far it hasn't affected my life much.  I still traveled while working for Motorola, though the fatigue caught up with me and forced my retirement.  It didn't stop me from driving to Hampton Virginia just to get a bottle(s) of Bourbon.  I picked up Robert Waltz along the way too!  I do fear that the pain I've been experiencing is caused by the Multiple Myeloma.  An MRI was performed last year though, there was no sign of it in that test.  And all along my Oncologist has said that my blood work looks good.

         I am determined that this disease will not run my life for me.  I live day to day, it's all anyone can do.