David's Corner: November 2012

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Preparation for Stemcell transplant

I met with my Doctors over the last 2 days and we are moving forward with my stem cell transplant.
As part of the preparation I have been advised that I have to undergo a number of injections of a drug called neupigin to boost my stem cell counts prior to extraction. Unfortunately, the cost of these drugs is going to be almost $10,000 which neither my extended health plan or government will pay. To make matters worse my Doctor has scheduled me to have my first treatment on December 6th meaning that the drugs have to be paid for by then. I am not sure how at this point I am going to come up with $10,000 in less than a week.

David.

ABOUT ME

My name is David DaSilva. I am 47 years old and recently diagnosed with multiple myeloma. I am married with two children ages 11 and 14.

Up until the day I injured my back I felt completely fine. I had no symptoms of back pain and was carrying on a normal life. Then one weekend I was helping a friend move a very heavy platform and the weight accidentally shifted to me causing my back to give out. Eventually, the pain became so excruciating and debilitating that I could no longer walk and I was admitted to hospital. During my initial stay in the hospital x-rays revealed that I had sustained compression fractures of 5 of my vertebrae with 2 of them being more severe wedge fractures. The on staff Orthopaedic surgeon advised us that he was concerned with the number and severity of my fractures and that he would to do a CAT SCAN of my back. Subsequently, the CT scan indicated lesions on my spine which were consistent with multiple myeloma cancer. A follow up meeting with an oncologist and a painful bone marrow biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

I was subsequently fitted with a Jewitt brace to stabilize my fractures and underwent radiation therapy to reduce the pain and kill the cancer in my back followed by chemotherapy. Results have been excellent to date and as I near the end of my chemotherapy treatment my Oncologist has advised me that 90% of the cancer is gone. My back is healing more and more and I have much more mobility and I expect to be in remission by the end of chemotherapy treatment. However, because of the nature of my disease and its likelihood of reappearance I am now slated to have a stem cell transplant which will give me a brand new immune system from my own stem cells which I hope will prolong my life for many many years and allow me the cherished gift of walking my daughter down the isle and holding my grand children in my arms.

The upcoming journey will be very hard on me once again but I know I can do it. After all I will have the love and support of my family.

My hope for the future:

My journey to date has been tough both mentally and physically. One aspect I think we cancer patients don't often mention is the financial toll this disease takes upon us and our family. I and my family are no different. We have sustained thousands and thousands of dollars in financial costs that are not covered by the government and work benefits. The financial strain on my family has been great and it now seems I can no longer hope too take my family on a small vacation after my treatments are complete as a reward for all they have been through with these disease. However, my hope is that this does not have to be the case. My hope is that you will read and take an interest in my blog and if you wish make a small financial contribution to help with the financial costs this disease has taken upon me and my family.

David's Corner

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Preparation for Stemcell transplant

Saturday, November 17, 2012

My First Post

Blog Archive