How it all began...

In May, 2006, I was finally given a diagnosis after suffering from "bronchitis" for a year. The diagnosis was streptococcal pneumonia, which was treated successfully after diagnosis. A routine blood test showed a few elevated elements but within limits for someone with pneumonia.
In August, 2006, just prior to arthroscopic ankle surgery, another "routine" blood test was conducted.
When the results came back, there was cause for concern due to "abnormalities" that were noted. On September 1st, I was called by a nurse to tell me that she had scheduled me for an appointment with an Oncologist on September 5th after the long Labor Day weekend. Needless to say, I was a basket case for the entire weekend and dreaded the long wait. Prayers were on order from my family. When Tuesday came around, I was in the doctor's office 30 minutes before my appointment. He said that the blood test showed elevated proteins and the problem appeared to be monoclonal anemia, meaning that there was one source for the anemia and from his experience, he was leaning toward a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma.
Over the next two months I was scheduled for numerous diagnostic tests from an upper and lower GI to a bone marrow biopsy. The biopsy came on November 16th. Afterwards, Donnie and I went to Wisconsin for a previously scheduled vacation since the results wouldn't be back for a couple of weeks. Late on Friday afternoon, the day after the biopsy, the Oncologist's nurse called to say that he had called from the hospital and wanted to see me on Monday. I wanted to make sure that I needed to come home from out of town, but we couldn't reach the doctor. So, on Sunday afternoon, we headed back to IN. My sister, Charlotte and her family were in town for an early Thanksgiving visit, so I asked her to bring my Mom and accompany me to the doctor. The results were in---I have Multiple Myeloma, a cancer of the plasma in the bone marrow. It was good to have Donnie, Charlotte, and my Mom there with me when I got the bad news. I chose to tell my sisters prior to the holiday but will tell the rest of my family after Thanksgiving so I don't put a damper on their event.