First Round of golf after Myeloma diagnosis

[jbb]

Played my first holes this evening after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer, I really thought my golfing days were over after the diagnosis last week. I haven’t played for 2 months because of all the back pain I was having that led me to discover a large mass in my sacrum, and the fact that 2/3 of my tailbone is destroyed from the tumor.(Dr was surprised that I was able to get around relatively pain free) My Myeloma specialist told me yesterday that there was no reason why I couldn’t play. All the other lesions are small enough not to affect bone health currently. For everyone out there battling this disease and any other cancer I hope it doesn’t take away the game we love so much. I feel blessed to be able to tee it up again for the summer  knowing it will end for a short time early fall when I go through stem cell replacement therapy. Love to all the others fighting out there on the links. 

[OnTheBag]

Prayers with you my friend.  Enjoy those days in the sun and time with family.

[bobfoster]

Oh man. Serious news. Hope you keep your attitude positive - and that you can keep playing golf.

 

Thoughts and prayers are with you. 

[jbb]

Absolutely positive all the time. I know a few people who have this cancer that have been around many years. Requires a lifetime of treatment but luckily I caught mine very early and have a great team of specialists. Thanks 

[bobfoster]

1 hour ago, jbb said:

Absolutely positive all the time. I know a few people who have this cancer that have been around many years. Requires a lifetime of treatment but luckily I caught mine very early and have a great team of specialists. Thanks 

Positive is everything (well, not everything, but a pretty big thing). As you likely well know, multiple myeloma is neither preventable nor curable. But not curable doesn't mean not treatable. I know a bit about this because I have a good friend - that is still alive and thriving in his 8th year after initial diagnosis. 

 

You've likely heard what you need to do. Stem cell treatments. But also a really good diet. (My friend - who mostly ate American junk food - switched to a largely Japanese diet ... fish, a lot of rice, fresh cooked vegetables, etc.). But attitude (statistically) is actually physiologically relevant. My friend told me the single greatest (game changing) piece of advice he got from his best doctor was this: "Do not see yourself as someone slowly dying from cancer, but as someone adjusting to live with cancer". He gave the same advice to his patients that were diagnosed with HIV. These are no longer "fatal" diseases, they are "manageable". 

 

If golf gives you joy - play golf. Don't know where you live, but if I'm ever close I'd do a round with you in a heartbeat. 

 

Do the treatments and diet, but most importantly, live in joy. 

[Hawkeye77]

🙏

[Ferguson]

Stay positive.  

[Maine Golfer]

Wish you the best and enjoy the season 🙂

[Hickory4ever]

I wish you the best. One of my brothers was diagnosed last November with the same. A positive attitude is a big help.

[j.b.newton]

Prayers to you and your family.  My favorite rounds are now those with my dad, who has been battling MM for about 3 years (and kicking its Word not allowed so far).

[RoverTiger]

Pulling like hell for you to still have thousands of rounds in your future.

[J-Blade]

My wife is a 3x cancer survivor, including having a bone marrow transplant for AML 22 years ago this fall. She's doing great, knock wood. 

[jbb]

Thanks guys. Definitely keeping a positive attitude and following doctors advice, keeping a high protein diet. Pet scan tomorrow afternoon just part of protocol before starting chemo treatment next Friday May 3rd. 

[bortass]

Good luck with the treatment!