Myeloma Mondays #4: David from Chagrin Falls, OH

Where were you born and raised?

• Cleveland, Ohio

Where do you currently live?

• Chagrin Falls, Ohio

When were you diagnosed and how old were you?

• 2/14/94- age 34, non-secretory-

Did you know what MM was prior to diagnosis?

• no

Is there anyone else your in family with MM?

• not that I know of

What led to your diagnosis?

• Broken fifth cervical vertibra

How many time were you referred before actually being diagnosed?

• None

Where have you received treatment?

• University Hospital of Cleveland and the Burzynski Research Clinic

Explain your treatment history

• 3/95- five cycles of VAD
• 9/95- 2 cycles of cytoxan
• 12/95- pbsct
• 10/96- local radiation
• 9/97- second relapse-
• 11/97- began antineoplaston therapy
• 4/99- complete remission

Why did you or your doctor choose a specific treatment?

• VAD, cytoxan, pbsct was considered standard, aggressive therapy at the time-

What has been the side effects of the different treatments?

• extensive nerve damage, chemobrain, irritable bladder, GI problems-

What has been the hardest thing about your MM journey?

• cancer diagnosis originally, side effects- I am okay now.

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

• Life is all about priorities.

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

• Creating the Galen Foundation, launching beating-myeloma.org has been a tremendous help to me.

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

• My view of life has changed in that I have changed my priorities.

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

• I worked in a commercial printing plant.

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

• MMsupport, Margaret's Corner and beating-myeloma.org of course.

***To add your story to MM Mondays copy and paste this questionnaire (click here) and send it in an email to cancerkicker at gmail dot com. I would love to share your story! -Phil