My Struggle with Multiple Myeloma
Winter 2001
"Anthony L., we believe that you have multiple
myeloma, a form of bone cancer." These words,
spoken by my hematologist-oncologist changed
my life on May 6, 1999. This was the same cancer
that took the life of my father in 1988. I was
informed that no cure has been found for multiple
myeloma, but it would be possible for me to live
longer by accepting certain treatments - a blood
transfusion, a bone marrow transplant, or a peripheral
stem cell transplant.
As a Jehovah's Witness, my conscience would
not permit me to accept blood transfusions. When
I was advised that a bone marrow transplant involved
the use of blood, I also refused that. My physician
advised me that she could not perform the stem
cell transplant without blood and referred me
to the Center for Bloodless Medicine & Surgery
(CBMS) at Pennsylvania Hospital. Dr.
Patricia Ford, medical director for the Center,
agreed to perform the procedure without the use
of blood. She is the only physician on the East
Coast to have successfully performed this operation
on several patients.
In December 1999, I traveled to the CBMS at
Pennsylvania Hospital from my home in Pittsburgh
where I underwent a peripheral stem cell collection
- commonly referred to as a cell harvest. We
returned to Pittsburgh to wait until my blood
count returned to a satisfactory level in order
to complete the stem cell procedure in Philadelphia.
Upon my return to Pittsburgh, my kidneys failed,
and I became too sick to return to Philadelphia.
The multiple myeloma started to aggressively
take over again, so my hematologist-oncologist
started cytoxan chemotherapy, and albumin pheresis
for my kidneys. My wife and I returned to Philadelphia
on January 17, 2000 and started high dose chemotherapy,
then the peripheral stem cell infusion. We remained
in Philadelphia until February 15, 2000.
During this process my red blood count dropped
to five. I experienced breathing problems, diarrhea,
loss of appetite, hair loss, and heart problems.
Despite my ill health, I did not give in to depression
or despair. My beloved wife was there by my side
for the duration, ever watchful, and always attentive
to my every need. The CBMS staff provided constant
support during my stay at Pennsylvania Hospital.
A staff member was always available to assist
us with flight and hotel arrangements, and someone
from the Center stopped in every morning to provide
encouragement. The physicians and nurses at Pennsylvania
Hospital treated us like royalty, explaining
procedures in detail, checking on us and attending
to our every need.
Today my wife and I are back in Pittsburgh.
My blood count is back to normal, the stem cells
have done their job, and I am feeling better.
My only complaint is that my hair hasn't started
to grow back yet, and my head is cold! While
there is no cure for multiple myeloma, my disease
is considered a "stable disease". Without
the stem cell transplant my disease would have
progressed. If I couldn't have had it without
blood transfusions, I would have never considered
the transplant. I take life one day at a time,
always grateful for the opportunity the CBMS
at Pennsylvania Hospital has given me.
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