Shitty news

[garnigal]

My mom has been in hospital for a week. She's been sick for weeks, but thought it was just related to a vertigo syndrome she has. Finally was losing too much weight and not drinking enough, so Dad took her up and they kept her, waiting for a free bed in our major hospital to do some pretty aggressive testing.

Got the diagnosis yesterday - multiple myelomoa, which is cancer of the plasma cells. She starts treatment as soon as possible, and that treatment may include everything from chemo to stem cell therapy to a bone marrow transplant.

It's treatable, but incurable. 49% of people hit the 5 year survival marker, but most of those are diagnosed early. For Mom's stage (I'm guessing based on her symptoms), the average life span after diagnosis is 29 months.

Hopefully she is well above average.

Comments

[desdemonaspace]

Oh, honey! Shitty news indeed. I hope your mom is in the 'well above average' group.

You know, I'm a cancer survivor myself. I'm here to tell ya, it can go MUCH better than what you fear.

[garnigal.livejournal.com]

Even the hematologist is talking about a 15 year treatment plan, so I may have jumped the gun. Google is not always your friend.

I know it's going to be a miserable road navigating treatment, but hopefully she responds well.

[desdemonaspace]

I feel for you. She's so lucky to have you.

I navigated the shoals myself, and it was not fun.