Hi Christine!
I was diagnosed at the beginning of 2010 because of intense back pain which had been caused by 3 vertabrae collapsing at once. Since then several more vertebrae have gradually deteriorated.
They decided to do chemo then a stem cell transplant immediately to zap the MM so did not look into doing a balloon kyphoplasty initially and I am still awaiting the verdict as to whether they can do anything now I am in remission to alleviate my back pain by some kind of surgery.
Apparently I have a few bone fragments floating near the spinal chord that they are worried about disturbing and shifting the wrong way, so it might not be a possibility.
I have a nagging back pain most of the time but it only becomes unbearable if I stand, bend over a workbench or walk for 20 minutes or so. So I can do quickly finished stuff if I plan things and make sure I can sit down frequently which seems to lessen the pain.
I haven't found a painkiller that really works so on the whole I manage without, as I would rather put up with a bearable pain than suffer the constipation etc which most painkillers gave me.
I have a retail shop selling stained glass supplies and though I do not have regular opening times any more I still manage to open for an hour or so when people contact me to arrange it, so am still working some of the time and keeping the business ticking over. If I had a sitting down job I reckon I could manage to carry that out OK with little disruption.
I manage to drive fair distances and walk around the supermarket to get my shopping (I always use a large supermarket trolly even if I am not buying much, as part walking frame/part trolley) so can get out and about to my old haunts, so do not feel too restricted in daily life.
We bought a mobility scooter when I was first diagnosed which I do use to get to hospital appointments (Bournemouth Hospital corridors are very long!!) and for longer shopping excursions, so if that might be useful to help you get around do look into getting one. We bought ours on ebay for very little money, as well as a vehicle hoist so I can get it in and out of the car on my own.
So for me it has not been the end of all my previous interests and occupation.
Wishing you all the best on your myeloma journey!
Elizabeth
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