Myeloma Mondays #34: Dave from Westerville, OH

**To add your story to Myeloma Mondays copy and paste this questionnaire (click here) and send it in an email to phil at cancerkicker dot org

Where were you born and raised?

• Columbus, Ohio

Where do you currently live?

• Westerville, Ohio (suburb of Columbus)

When were you diagnosed and how old were you?

• April 9, 2007

Did you know what MM was prior to diagnosis?

• No, I had never heard of...

Is there anyone else your in family with MM?

• No, No one....

What led to your diagnosis?

• I had had a couple of bouts with Pnuemonia and in intensive care for a couple weeks each time.

How many times were you referred before actually being diagnosed?

• The second bout with Pnuemonis they found a spot on my 6th rib

Where have you received treatment?

• OSU Medical Center at The James

Explain your treatment history:

• Velcade
• Revlimid Clinical Trial
• Thalidomide
• Harvested 7.5 stem cells for future transplant

Why did you or your doctor choose a specific treatment?

• My bone marrow layout shows that my type of MM is very treatable and responds well to Thaldimide.

What has been the side effects of the different treatments?

• Some neuropathy, rashes, appetite and taste changes....

What has been the hardest thing about your MM journey?

• The effect on my wife and kids and my elderly parents...

What are the top lessons learned that you would want a newly diagnosed MM patient to know about?

• Get to a good treatment facility (research), find a great Docter (Like Dr Don Benson MD, PhD at OSU The James) Checkout all your options, and don't give up...

How have you been able to stay positive and encouraged in your MM journey?

• Faith (Jesus), Friends and family support. Only with my amazing wife Missy...

After being diagnosed... What perspective was changed the most?

• Time, what is important in life....

Did you or a parent work in a field with or were exposed to toxic chemicals prior to diagnosis?

• I used to work in the Auto Manufactoring Industry (12 years)....

What MM sites or blogs had you found good information from after diagnosis?

• Mmore.org , www.themmrf.org

[Here is an online resource] of videos from MM Patients about their experience living and battling Multiple Myeloma

**To add your story to Myeloma Mondays copy and paste this questionnaire (click here) and send it in an email to phil at cancerkicker dot org