Nancy Zins

I am a water aerobics instructor at the YMCA.  After one class I had much pain in my hip and thought I had strained a groin muscle.  After several visits with a sports/medicine doctor and x-rays to determine if there was a fracture (there was not), an MRI was ordered.

The MRI showed that I had degenerative cartilage in my hip and that it was torn.  This was the cause of my pain.  However, it also showed multiple lesions on the pelvic and hip bones, indicating possible Multiple Myeloma.

Three weeks of more tests, full body x-ray, and a bone marrow biopsy (yuck), the diagnosis was confirmed that it was Multiple Myeloma, with lesions (tumors) also on my skull, both arms, and right leg.

Within one week of the diagnosis the first round of chemo (Velcade, the drug of the doctor's choice) will be administered.  This will be weekly for about 4 months.  In addition I will be taking 10 steroids (Dexameth) at each "sitting", and once a month Zoneta which is a bone strengthening drug.

The list of possible side effects is lengthy, but talking with several who have gone through this we are encouraged that it is just a "list."

My prayer from the start has been this:  "Oh Lord, be glorified through this disease and this entire process!"  Pray with me that this will be my prayer throughout, and that I will not become discouraged or lose heart.

I am so blessed to have a wonderful care giver in my husband, Rob, who says "WE have cancer."   He will be by my side throughout.  He will  need prayers as well as time goes on!!

We are also blessed to have such a wonderful, caring, praying family, and also Christian friends around the world who are lifting us up in prayer.  We cannot thank you enough.  Nancy Zins