I went to see my bone surgeon today to ask him some questions. It was really helpful, as it will be nearly two weeks before I get to meet with the oncologist to plan treatments and get them started. My arm is slowly and gradually healing. I am impatient to be able to use it, so it seems like it’s taking forever, but it’s only been one month since the surgery. I have had a little physical therapy. My bones and muscles still have a long way to go before they’re working very well. One of the things they’ve found during all the tests I’ve had done is that I have several other places with “cancer cell activity”. In other words, there are several places on the bones that the cancer has begun to grow. That causes bone pain in different areas, and that’s what I wanted the doctor to help me understand today; Why the pain? What can be done to help me? And what can I do to help myself? I thought some of the doctor’s explanation might help you like it did me. Multiple Myeloma is a blood cancer, and since blood is made in the marrow, the bone is one place this cancer likes to attack. As the cancer cells destroy bone tissue, it causes pain. Chemotherapy kills cancer cells, so that is the quickest and most effective way to take away the pain. The oncologist will decide the best treatment, which should start close to Feb 22. My job is to keep myself as healthy as I can, deal with the pain as effectively as I can, and be patient until the doctors and the drugs can do their jobs. That’s the real trick, isn’t it? So, I’m taking Mr. Roger’s advice and thinking of something to do while I’m waiting…