Lynn's Plan of Attack with Her Cancer - As Promised

As promised, here is the update on Lynn and her current plan of attack with her cancer.

My lovely wife of 29 years was 5’11” when we married and was that until about 30 months ago when she began to suffer compression fractures to her spine. Currently she is just a touch under 5’6”.

All of her fractures have occurred in the Thoracic section of the spine. Her latest skeletal surveys/scans indicated a marked increase and uptake in lesion activity in this area. She has been almost bedridden for the past 8-10 weeks.

The current plan is radiation to the Thoracic Spine. She started on Monday the 1st. The plan is to radiate the entire T-Spine, from T1 through T12. The doctor is hopeful that this will give her relief from the pain and stop the aggressiveness of the cancer.

Because I often times may be seen as minimizing or cavalier in my attitude of PCa, I thought a little recap of Lynn’s cancer and ordeal would be helpful. It sure keeps me grounded as I approach the treatment of my cancer.

Lynn has Multiple Myeloma Cancer. Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. It causes the wearing away of portions of bones, leading to bone complications in most people with the disease. In fact, doctors find bone problems in 70% to 95% of people with multiple myeloma when they’re diagnosed.

When Lynn was diagnosed in November 2005 she was staged at IIIA. You just about can’t go any higher except for having renal failure.
• Stage IA – normal skeletal survey or single lesion
• Stage IB - 5 focal lesions or mild diffuse spine disease
• Stage IIA/B - 5-20 focal lesions or moderately diffuse spine disease
• Stage IIIA/B - >20 focal lesions or severe diffuse spine disease
• Subclasses A and B (A = normal renal function, B = abnormal renal function

She has undergone multiple chemo therapy regimens, a stem cell transplant, multiple hospitalizations for immune system complications (including the 8 week stay in ICU that began the morning after I was diagnosed), multiple radiation treatments and has been in pain since before her diagnosis.

Her very first chemo regimen caused a TIA stroke within the first 7 days of drug use. She was found to have a 70% blockage in the carotid artery which required surgery and delayed cancer treatment for 2 months.

Many times she has been called a “Miracle” by medical folks and was told by a MM specialist at Mayo that she is on borrowed time.

Is it any wonder why I consider myself lucky? My path through PCa surely pales in comparison.

I think that about sums it up, except to say that she has taken great comfort from the support she has received from all of you here. Some of you she has met personally and many of you she knows well by reading your words.

She says that “WE” are truly fortunate to have found HW and all of you. Every day she smiles and tells me how blessed we are in our lives. Yes, we both have cancer. But we have fantastic friends/family, great insurance, financial security and a great son. "Every Day is Truly a Bonus".

Thanks for everything you folks have done for us. You will never know the measure of comfort and support you have brought to our home.

Sonny

Thanks James. Lynn takes tremendous comfort knowing that blessings are sent her way.

The two of you are cetainly an inspiration to me. Was on my pity pot last night, but just got off of it after reading your update Sonny. Blessings to the both of you.

Michael

Sonny,
That sounds like a plan. Send out best wishes and let Lynn know we're both thinking of her - and her smiling face.

Jeff

Sonny,

Thanks for the update on your lovely wife.  Multiple myeloma is a difficult disease.  I agree with Tony that we are fortunate at this forum that you are a member.  You and your wife are in my thoughts and prayers.  Take care and hang in there...Tim

Thanks for sharing that. You both have my best wishes and thoughts.

Sonny:

Thanks for the update. You are both in my thoughts. Hopefully, the radiation will do its thing.

Mel

Sonny, thanks for the update. Makes me feel small after reading what you 2 must be going thru. Best wishes to you both and really hoping for the pain to just vanish.

Sonny and Lynn:
Thank you for sharing your lives with us - you are in our thoughts and prayers,
gentle hugs,
Bronson and Steve

Sonny
My best wishes go out to your wife and yourself. I believe that it is far tougher to watch one we love suffer than be in pain ourselves. The emotional load you bear and your disregard for your own challenges marks you as a man to be much admired. Here's to the rad treatment being successful and relieving some of Lynn's pain.
Bill

Hi Sonny

As a new member, recently diagnosed with PCa I can't imagine how life must be for you guys and how lucky I am by comparison.

My sincere best wishes go to you and your wife.

I find that just as you don't fully comprehend a parent's love until you have a child, having cancer opens a particular empathy to others in similar struggles. I will just say that I wish you both the best and my heart and prayers are with you.

Sonny and Lynn, My dear friends, my thoughts are with you every day. I pray for you guys everyday. I know this is a difficult time. I walk with you each step of the way. Sonny if there is anything I can to do help. Just give me a call. If you need help at home Im only 12 hour away by car and 2 hrs by air. You know Pat and I love both of you dearly.

Cajun Jeff