Quote:
Originally Posted by Emily Fox Seaton
So as many of you all know I have been complaining of a bad back for 3 months and afraid of scoliosis getting worse.
It isn't scoliosis. (though no one knows if it is related to the back pain)
My doctor decided to run some tests on my blood this week and she found something. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Though my doctor tells me it is a benign condition precursor with a 1% chance per year of it changing into multiple myeloma. A simple look at the statistics tells me that is wrong. (just what they tell you) And that it is more like you will probably get multiple myeloma within 2 years of MGUS diagnosis.
Ok well, then I looked up multiple myeloma and even multiple myeloma is caught and treated early best case lifespan... 7 years. SEVEN YEARS!
I have an appointment with an oncologist this Friday (another concerning thing as that seems quickly to get me in) And I understand they will be determining how likely it is going become multiple myeloma based on the tests.
Honestly to me it seems like I just got diagnosed with multiple myeloma. And I have as little as 7 years left to live and frankly probably won't make it past 15.
This was my greatest fear... that I would spend my entire life working hard to get to retirement only to diet moments after retirement. (retirement is 10 years away)
I am obviously terrified. There is no curing Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). From this day forward I will always have to check this to make sure it isn't progressing. And if it is, the options aren't great.
And also, from all accounts I am young for this. Most people diagnosed with this are significantly older. Is that why this condition doesn't progress easily?
Also what I can see is that being over weight is a risk factor for progression. So right now, I need to lose 50 lbs. Right now.!! Also, eating animal protein is a risk factor (and I have been doing that my entire life) and so, I have to pretty much go vegan. And all of this is made more difficult with an aching back.
The only positive thing is that this was found early. My doctor found it because multiple myeloma is known to cause back pain and increased calcium (which my most recent tests had). But a calcium test in December was low.
There are no symptoms usually with Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).
Seriously if you have made it this far I need your support, I have no one to tell.
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I'm sorry that you are going through this. Is there a support group you can join who have this? What about counseling? The best medicine is to live your life to the fullest.