Hello everybody, I thought I would share a story with you about my amazing wife, Anne and how she has inspired all those around her. I hope in some small way it will help and give hope to some of you who may be just starting out on their 'journey' with Myeloma.
Almost 2 years ago to the day, we were enjoying a barbecue at a friends house and despite the 'arthritis that Anne had recently been diagnosed with, she was having fun and drinking a few glasses of wine.
At the end of the evening, she stepped from the door and collapsed in a heap in the bushes. Naturally being a very caring husband I laughed heartily, assuming that the wine was taking an effect! It soon became apparent that something more serious was afoot and an ambulance was called.
After an x ray it was discovered that her left femur had essentially 'snapped in half'.
After a week or so of tests we finally got the news that she had been diagnosed with something called 'Multiple Myeloma', something we had never heard of. When it was explained what this was and the fact that there was no cure, we, of course were in a state of shock. The pains that Anne had gone to the GP to complain of were not, in fact, arthritis but something strange, mysterious and life threatening. I'm guessing that this is a familiar situation for many people first diagnosed with MM!
So here we were, Anne was bedridden with a broken leg caused by bone lesions and facing an operation to fix her leg and have metal rods attached to both femurs (the right one also being affected by lesions) as well as the spectre of treatment for the disease itself. Despite all this she remained reasonably cheerful and 'celebrated'her 50th birthday in hospital.
After 6 weeks in hospital, she was released (in a wheelchair) to the care of her family and my two fantastic teenage daughters and I set about caring for the person who had cared for us so well until just 6 weeks before. To say that she was a pain in the erm bottom as a patient is a huge understatement. Despite the fact that she couldn't walk unaided, she still insisted on doing housework and helping with the cooking etc and within just a few weeks she was walking on crutches, even insisting on helping with the Christmas shopping. The sight of her determinedly struggling through the ice and snow on her crutches made me cry.
Over the next year she had the usual drug treatment and then a year ago had a successful stem cell treatment and is now in remission.
Although still in some pain in her legs, last night Anne completed a 10km walk in aid of our local hospice and my daughters and I would like to share this with you and tell the whole world how proud we are of her. Thanks for listening!……
Elizellen 12 years, 5 months ago.
