Hello friends. Not everyone knows the medical issues that have been transpiring with me over the past months. But, I have been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM), a bone and blood cancer.
It initally began from a routine annual physcial back in 2014. An abnormal protein was found in my blood. At that time, I was sent to be follwed by a Hematologist-Oncologist. I saw this Dr. every 6 months. Until last fall, Oct. 2018, when he starred down at his desk and delivered, what he felt my prognosis was, and never looked me in the eye. That's when I made my way to Dana Farber. Very surreal to be in the same place I was with Kevin for so many years. In fact, I'm sitting in the same waiting room. The first Dana Farber Dr. was kind but a salesman for the clinical trial he wanted to get me on. I wasn't clear this was what I wanted to do. So, I switched to another Doc. I was also in the process of going thru all the diagnostic tests. Including the dreaded bone marrow biopsy. For me, that was the line in the sand that put me on the same path as Kevin. So, I kept trying not to have to have it. But, I did have the biopsy and learned my marrow was 60% positve with plasma cells. However, I was asymptomatic, so not started on treatment. Multiple myelmoma protocal is a" watchfully waiting" until you are symptomatic. I was follwed for several more blood tests and the counts were holding steady. At my appointment on Mon. Aug. 5th, the Dr. was rather shocked at how quickly and aggressively the disease had advanced. He felt chemo needed to start ASAP. A PET scan revealed that I now had many bone lesions including T1, L1, Right Femur, Right hip, Ribs under each armpit and the skull. Can't say I was too surprised as I was feeling pretty lousy, had a lot of pain and my energy was pretty much non existant. Chemo began on Wed. Aug. 7. If you haven't looked all all the posts, scroll down to the first one and work your way to the most current, to follow what my journey has been leading up to that point.
There are many ways you can help Andrew and I. By starting this Caring Bridge page, I will be able to keep you apprised of our needs and how things are progressing with my health. With being without a spouse, a single mom and limited available family in the area, I am going to need to depend on my freinds to get me thru. I'm overwhelmed with how many friends have already reached out to help! I am more then grateful to have such a strong community and support system around me! Thank you in advance from the bottom of my heart!!
I'm not always sure yet what my needs will be. Those needs will likely also be ever changing as we go thru this journey. So check back on this site often.
SPECIAL NOTE: **There's a journal entry on Aug. 16th dedicated to dietary needs, for anyone that wants to help out that way.** (sorry but the only way to get this info out is thru a journal post and you'll need to scroll down to Aug. 16).
Generally, I'm looking for help with meals/ food, rides to appoinments, grocery shopping, running errands, small tasks around house. It's hard to fit these things in the task schedule, the way it's set up.
For those of you not local or able to physcially help as you'd like, I ask for your prayers. There's power in prayers and intentions and all well wishes! Reach out when you can as I love to hear from folks!
*NOTE! Below and on other pages, there is a link for making a donation. That is not for me personally, it is for Caring Bridge. Please DO NOT feel obligated to make a donation! I am seeking help with transportation, food, pets, daily chores, etc. NOT money!
Laura Dully 14 Cold Harbor Dr. Northborough, MA 01532
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