Cancer Sucks

That's probably not a very original title, but it's all I can think of. Maybe I will think of something better by the time I finish writing the post. For example, perhaps I could add, "a Lot?". Hmm, obvious?

My mom had Multiple Myeloma, and just relapsed. Too bad it's not this sort of Relapse - this sort is awesome). Multiple Myeloma is bone marrow cancer. My mom's has been in remission for a little over two years. Part of the reason I am doing this blog post is to refresh my memory by looking up information. Here is some of what I found or knew already.

· Myelo = bone marrow (according to Wikipedia, which makes it a FACT, right?)

· When I say "bone marrow cancer" (above), sounds like I really mean cancer of the while blood cells, specifically plasma cells, which are part of your immune system.

· I did know about the immune system bit, since last was pretty key when my mom was first diagnosed. When she had a stem cell transplant, they pretty much wipe your immune system. She was on sterile (or mostly sterile? Is it really sterile) ward in the hospital. There is hand sanitizer EVERYWHERE, and they are pretty careful. For example, if a person has a hint of a cold, you are not allowed to go visit.

· Most patients are over 60 (my Mom was diagnosed at 50).

· It's incurable but treatable.

· My mom had Bortezomib (aka Valcade, which is good, because Bortezomib is a mouthful), and will likely take it again. It was just approved in 2004, which seems recent – except that some of the other drug options are still in the study form.

· Maybe I will add more information/facts-I-didn't-know etc. when I can find some better reference material than Wikipedia.

So good think my mom is such a tough cookie.