The Right Track

Multiple Myeloma: When plasma cells are cancerous and grow out of control, it is called multiple myeloma. These cancer cells build up in the bone marrow and crowd out the healthy cells. They also make M proteins. Higher levels of M protein in the blood can lead to complications. When bloodwork shows a high level of the M protein, this is referred to as an M spike which indicates myeloma. Desired results from chemotherapy are to see a reduction in this M spike to no spike at all.

It's another day’s journey and by the grace of God, I am still here! It has been a minute since we last talked, so let’s catch up on my fight with this serial killer.

I am currently in my third cycle of therapy and doing well. My lab work shows a reduction in M Spike proteins. Fortunately, I have a strong circle of support from friends and family which gives me strength. I have been able to find strength in a phone call from a childhood friend whom I have not spoken to in over 35 years, but the conversation went as if we talked on a regular basis. I have found strength in text and instant messages from friends

and families who only want to show that they care. I have also found strength in a couple of friends who were not satisfied with just a text or phone call but only found self-satisfaction by traveling the long distance to lay eyes on me and hang out for a couple of days. There was the domino crew who found it not robbery to visit and have what we call "Domino Night" at my spot.

Finally, and amazingly, while receiving chemotherapy, I managed to travel to Myrtle Beach North Carolina with my

brothers of Kappa Alpha Psi for a conference. This presented an opportunity to fellowship and meet other members of our fraternity.

Living life to the fullest while in this fight has always been my theme. It's moments like these where I have established and reestablished new and old lines of communication with so many friends and family. This encourages me and lets me know that I am on the right track and even though I am fighting this battle with this serial killer I am not

alone. I have favor in the Lord.

So how has Chemotherapy been going for me? When you think of a person being treated for cancer, you envision someone who looks fragile and who has lost all their hair. This idea is not entirely benign, especially since statically, 65% of people who receive chemotherapy will experience hair loss (verywellhealth.com). In my case, I have not lost any hair. Matter of fact, my hair is growing rapidly with no signs of future loss. So, unless something changes, I guess I fall on the other 35% of these statistics.

My appetite has been consistent therefore weight loss or gain has not been a concern. This may stem from my weekly chemotherapy routine done by my A-Team of doctors at J.B. Amos Cancer Center in Columbus, Ga.

My process has been simple. I receive my chemotherapy via a shot in my stomach a couple of times a week along with multiple daily oral medications and scores of weekly lab work. Incredibly, I am not sitting for hours at a time with an IV drip and a trash can by my sides just in case I find the need to vomit as some may think.

I have had my challenges which include severe exhaustion where even walking up a flight of stairs is a challenge. This has been certainly hard for me to digest, being a Soldier who has maintained a certain level of fitness for most of my life. I have swollen feet and ankles that look like Eddie Murphy’s Professor Crump which leave me in excruciating pain. However, above all, the hiccups are the most annoying. I sometimes have uncontrollable hiccups which may last up to two hours nonstop. Imagine that? To answer your question, neither the paper bag trick nor the holding my breath trick does not work. Currently, I need to wear a neck brace which prevents me from doing much of anything like driving and requires me to depend on others. This is difficult for a person who once lived a completely independent life.

I never expected this to be easy, and it hasn't. However, through it all, my friends and family have helped to lighten the load. I am forever grateful and blessed and consequently, I am steadfast for the challenge.

Sincerely,

Rick

Glad to see you come, Glad to see you go!