I received a warm, beautifully written note via a Facebook personal message a couple of weeks ago.
John described his new home on the Atlantic coast of Florida and how well his kids were doing in their young work lives. Theresa, his wife, had taken early retirement from many years as an executive assistant with a marketing company and was looking forward to volunteering in their new community. John said that she was even prettier than she was in college.
He went on to express how sorry he was that I had been battling Multiple Myeloma. He looked MM up on the internet and he lamented how difficult it must be to face a situation like this, but if anyone could get through it, it would be me. I was always the strong one in the group.
He then recounted that I was the instigator of the practical jokes (remember the Sigma Nu party?) and good times we had in our undergraduate days at Florida State University and how much he had thought.....
WAIT!!
I didn't go to Florida State University! Come to think of it, John and Theresa's names didn't at all ring a bell. Sigma what? I know that chemo brain did interesting things to me, but as far as I know, I haven't suffered any amnesia or loss of identity.
I sent a message to John thanking him for his thoughtful note recounting the 'good old days' and how much fun it was to read, but...
I also gave him the good news that his friend from yesteryear, Sean Murray, most likely didn't have MM.
A couple of days later I got nice follow-up message from John and, apparently, Theresa thought that my picture looked a lot like John's old buddy, Sean. The mix-up was put squarely on the shoulders of a friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend. John thinks that Theresa has too much time on her hands. A good laugh was shared by all!
The good news is that the other Sean Murray does, indeed, not have Myeloma. Looking forward to hearing those same words about this Sean Murray some day!
Stay connected out there in Myelomaville!
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7 comments:
You are so funny. It is always good to have a laugh.
Awkward! Sean, I wouldn't trade my myeloma for the world--as long as I can live my life and share stories like these with fellow patients like you, that is!
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
Ohh, so nearly but not quite up there with 'People are Talking!'
I just found your blog. As a fellow cancer survivor, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Also...Great Blog! You are a credit to the cancer blogging community. I have added you to my blogroll, “Cancer Blogs Lists” with over 1100 other personal cancer blogs at www.beingcancer.net, a cancer networking site featuring a cancer book club, guest blogs, cancer resources, reviews and more.
If you have not visited before or recently, please stop by. If you agree that the site is a worthwhile resource for those affected by cancer, please consider adding Being Cancer Network to your own blogroll.
Now that you are listed, you can expect to gain a wider audience for your thoughts and experiences. Being Cancer Network is a place to share and communicate.
Take care, Dennis (beingcancer@att.net)
This made me chuckle Sean and I pray that one day you won't have MM either. Keep-up the good work and all best wishes on latest results. Super News!
Hi,
I am new to this site but I am hoping someone may be able to help me. My husband was diagnosed with MM in April, 2010. He had chemo in May, June and July and in August, had a stem cell transplant. At his 100 day checkup he received his news that there is no sign of the cancer andheisin remission. Now, this was wonderful news to us however, it would have been so much more wonderful if my husband could walk! 2 weeks after the transplant his legs got very week and they got rogressively worse. He is now at the point where he has to use a walker or a scooter. He has fallen 10 times because his legs just give out. The worst fall required 12 stitches through his ear. We have been to a pain management clinic, the oncologist, the internest, the endocronologist (he is diabetic) and finally a neurologist. He has had xrays, MRI and EMG. Has anyone had a problem with numbness, pain, butning, tingling, etc. Thank you in advance for any advice you can share. Cindy
Cindy: I am happy to hear that your husband is in complete response, but am sorry to hear of his ongoing leg and muscle problems. I'll post your question to the MM listserv and pass on any responses that come in. You may want to visit and subscribe to the the list by going to:
MYELOMA@LISTSERV.ACOR.ORG
Best wishes,
Sean
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