Multiple Myeloma

[bstout]

My neighbor was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma but doesn't seem to be taking it seriously. My husband died from complications of AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) 7 years after a diagnosis of "cured".
Does anyone know about Multiple Myeloma?
Thank you!

[timvolley]

i have never heard of this or know what it is. I am sorry about your husband

[nannycoe1]

Never heard of it. Sorry for your loss

[1imaginarygirl]

My neighbor was recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma but doesn't seem to be taking it seriously. My husband died from complications of AML (Acute Myelogenous Leukemia) 7 years after a diagnosis of "cured".
Does anyone know about Multiple Myeloma?
Thank you!

Is it full blown MM? I have a family member that has been recently diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma - "smoldering" meaning it's not yet active MM. It's similar to AML in that it's in the bone marrow, but it affects a different type of cell. As long as there are no symptoms, they don't generally treat. But you need to monitor bloodwork because it eventually affects the kidneys and bones, and can cause anemia and infections because the cancer cells crowd out the red and white blood cells. I'm still researching MM and how it's treated.

I'm very sorry for your loss. 

[ancmetro]

  What causes this type of cancer?
  Is it preventable?

[countrygirl12]

Have you googled it?  I have never heard of it.  A lot of people take things less serious for different reasons. Maybe the doctor didn't explain the seriousness? Maybe this particular thing is not that serious?

And people react differently to different things. Some people get excited. Some people are calm and mellow no matter what.

[hkckk5]

I am not sure what this kind of cancer is. So then I googled it. No I do not know anyone who has or had this type of cancer. I am sorry for the loss of your husband.

[cathy37]

I have never heard of this but it does sound serious.  I don't take any chances when it comes to my health.  I hope your neighbor will take it serious too.

[bstout]

Thank you all for the input!
I have Googled it and I think maybe I know more about it than he does. He won't research it.
Thank you 1imaginarygirl! I do believe that it is just at the smoldering stage but it is very difficult to get consistent information from him.
I feel a bit obligated to help care for him but without the right information about his case in particular, I am having a hard time with it.
I think he is going in a number of directions:
denial, exaggeration, "pity party", (don't mean to be insensitive), fear and more.
  I guess I can only do what I can do. Be there for him. I am just worried that, if it is in the "serious" stage, he is going to be dead sooner than necessary. 😥
Thank you all. I am going to keep researching. ♥

[madeara]

That is a very severe form of cancer.  My best friend just passed of cancer last week.  I hope your neighbor starts taking it as seriously as it is.

[countrygirl12]

Thank you all for the input!
I have Googled it and I think maybe I know more about it than he does. He won't research it.
Thank you 1imaginarygirl! I do believe that it is just at the smoldering stage but it is very difficult to get consistent information from him.
I feel a bit obligated to help care for him but without the right information about his case in particular, I am having a hard time with it.
I think he is going in a number of directions:
denial, exaggeration, "pity party", (don't mean to be insensitive), fear and more.
  I guess I can only do what I can do. Be there for him. I am just worried that, if it is in the "serious" stage, he is going to be dead sooner than necessary. 😥
Thank you all. I am going to keep researching. ♥

Pity Party?  Really?  If you were told you had cancer you wouldn't be upset?  You are saying how serious this is.
Maybe he is in some sort of denial.  But I would never say anyone who was told they had cancer was having a "pity party".

[gaylasue]

My cousin is a 12-year survivor (so far).  It had came back once but she beat it again.  Her ex-husband died from it last year.  I thought it was so ironic that he got the same type of cancer as she had.  Actually, more like karma...

[countrygirl12]

That is a very severe form of cancer.  My best friend just passed of cancer last week.  I hope your neighbor starts taking it as seriously as it is.

He may be in denial.  Just not accepting it.  If I don't think about it then it isn't real. 

[bstout]

countrygirl12, That's why I said that I was not trying to be insensitive. My husband was in the hospital for over a month, the day he was diagnosed. He never complained, not once. And he did everything the doctors told him to do.
  Possibly I am comparing the 2 situations.
My neighbor continues to get drunk and high and then complains for hours on end about what's going on. I simply meant that he is possibly killing himself with his negative attitude and his ignoring his doctor's instructions.
 Again, that is why I said "not to be insensitive".

[bstout]

Here's my dilemma also... I just got a message from my neighbor, the content of which was complaining, not informing.
I just don't know how to respond to it.
  And then there's the fact that he said that treatment was put off, again! For another month!
  He was diagnosed in October '18. I don't understand how you can "put off" your treatment for cancer. Unless you are just refusing it, which I have met many people who chose to go that route. 😞 But he is saying that the doctors are putting it off.
 I would greatly appreciate any opinions or insights.
  At this point, I truly do not know what to say to him and I do get tired of the complaining. AGAIN, not to be insensitive.
But he complains in a very loud voice with a lot of unnecessary expletives. I don't want to ignore him but I also am tired and ill myself. It takes up much of my own energy.
Thanks all.