Jody O'Neil

For those new to "my story", I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer on December 26th. I have a large tumor at the base of my spine, two smaller tumors further up my spine, one tumor that fills the cavity behind my left eye and a small one behind my nose. After being poked & prodded through many scans, tests and MRI's, there was great news that despite the rapid growth of the tumors all my other organs are free of tumors at this time. I've had several hospital stays, the most recent was four days last week. I couldn't breathe and was told I had pneumonia, along with a still undetermined lung infection. I do have lung sarcoidosis and that could be the culprit. Last Wednesday, when they performed a bronchoscopy on me, I had a severe reaction, a temp of 104 and have very little recollection of what happened. The next day I had a PETScan, which to my oncologists relief, showed no tumors in my brain. I've been back home this week on oxygen and trying to "build" myself up for beginning two more weeks of chemo. I'll be taking a pill orally each day for two weeks, having a chemo shot into my stomach  four times over two weeks and they're adding a third type of chemo which is a short five minute IV twice a week over three weeks. 


Many of you have offered help and it is so greatly appreciated. However, at this time we're doing fine. Especially since hospital stays pop up at a moments notice so we're not even home. Please know "down the road" we may be taking you up on your offers of assistance. At this time, I continue to discourage visitors as I can't afford to become more ill.


Jim and I would encourage your prayers for the pneumonia to be cleared and for the new regimen of chemo to be tolerated. Thank you for visiting here and loving us the way you do. It's VERY uplifting! Jody and Jim