I Noticed Pain Around My Rib Cage - Spencer | Multiple Myeloma | The Patient Story

[@ErikStone-z6m]

Praying for you. I had a similar experience except when I was admitted for pneuomonia, when I questioned the low red and white blood cell counts, low platelets, low ANC, low hemoglobin, and enlarged spleen, they shrugged it off and said my immune system was compromised because of the pneumonia. Months later after TWO follow-ups with a pulmonologist and my FP, nobody ever ordered follow-up blood tests. Three months later, I was still fatigued and called my FP and asked if it would be good standard of care to do blood tests again. He hesitated and only after I insisted, he ordered blood tests. Everything was WORSE than when I had pneumonia. 4 weeks later, I was diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia. Moral to the story- Be your own best advocate! ❤ After chemo and immunotherapy, I am now in remission.

[@bobs1356]

How could they tell a tumor with just blood work without doing scans or mri?

[@dratt5300]

Blood cancer is seen in blood tests, bone marrow biopsy and various genetic tests.

[@ErikStone-z6m]

@bobs1356 I didn't have a tumor, I had hairy cell leukemia. The follow-up blood tests confirmed that there was likely some type of blood cancer disorder. 2 weeks later I got a bone marrow biopsy and 2 weeks after that, I had my diagnosis and started chemo 5 days later. Without the follow-up blood test that revealed low white blood cells, low red blood cells, low platelets, low hemoglobin, high mean corpusal volume, and low absolute neutrophils, then I would have gone on until I got sick again and perhaps died from infection. My immune system was toast.

[@virginiamorales1591]

@@ErikStone-z6m that’s great news. I agree with you 100% on being our best advocate, because only you know how you feel and that something is wrong with your body. You have to insist with your GP that you need to be checked out. I wish you the best. Sending you blessings and positive vibes.

[@Demebeso714]

Please continue to be your own advocate!! It has saved your life..

[@susanshaeffer9469]

My brother, Marshall's, multiple myeloma showed up as flu-like symptoms around Thanksgiving and Christmas 1995. In January 1996, he went to the ER with chest pain and was told he was having a heart attack at age 35. Further testing revealed a dangerous level of calcium in his blood which later confirmed multiple myeloma. He started chemo right away and dealt with bone pain in his back. As the doctors were inserting his port for the 2nd round of chemo, he had a massive heart attack and passed away on the table on February 29th. Later, his autopsy revealed a completely destroyed heart and there is no way he would have survived long term. His doctors figured he probably had multiple myeloma for years but his active lifestyle masked any symptoms or indications. My surviving brother David and I still miss him terribly and our hearts are forever broken.

[@judithschneider6202]

I am so sorry. 😢❤

[@ThePatientStory]

we are so sorry to hear of his passing :(

[@mombradshaw5528]

My older foster/adoptive/real brother (I was admitted to UT in TN, I think..at 5 months old for severe dehydration/malnutrition and they picked me up from the hospital and had me till 3 1/2) In other words, every one of my first beautiful memories..and never a bad one with them. My father was a Dr of nuclear science and momma was a homemaker with 5 older children, almost full grown..Most of my memories were of my brother Anthony holding me on his hip in the water (we lived next to Oak Ridge TN on the Clinch River(and yes, I can recount memories from a super-young age)We were in the water constantly.. Anthony was going through medical school and working at Mr Gatties, but he always made time for me. I remember him smelling like spaghetti and pizza when he picked me up. He was diagnosed with AMLwhen he was almost done. I remember him w no hair and sitting down a lot. I remember sitting in this old exotic car w flip buttons and eating Jimminy Cricket Mint Oreos that night with my other older brothers and just remember him missing (now I know that he was likely sleeping) He went into "full" remission and started back to medical school not even three yrs after. Shortly after he finished his next to last months of residency, he fell sick and was diagnosed with it again and died very shortly after. I blame Oak Ridge and him starting back to med school finishing his residency (they stay exhausted w no sleep) He was a brief but huge figure in my life. Anthony was one of the kindest, sweetest men I have ever known. I was blessed with such a beautiful curly-headed , Italian Big brother 🌹🌄✝️ I feel for you missing your brother. I know it hurts and always will, but hopefully not as sharp as time goes on ..

[@reh303]

I'm glad you made it to the transplant. My mom was diagnosed stage 3 MM in May 2021 at age 65, was *this close* to getting stem cells extracted in mid-2022 but everything suddenly went downhill, and she died at 67 in June 2023. Your age and health are on your side, I hope you stay healthy for a long time!

[@ThePatientStory]

we are so sorry to hear of her passing :(

[@MrZimmmy]

Hey Spencer, I'm a 75-year-old here in SF who’s preparing for a bone marrow biopsy next week 09/24) for the start of my journey. I want to thank you for sharing your experiences. It was uplifting to hear how well you are managing MM. I wish you all the best.

[@avarismimi]

Hope you recover quickly & best of luck.😊

[@MrZimmmy]

@@avarismimi Thank you! I had a bone marrow biopsy last week and am waiting for the results. Fingers crossed 🤞!

[@RickCT2000]

You look sooo healthy now! Congratulations on your treatment and new found running/racing addiction!!

[@lizg1976]

Praying. You look so much younger and healthier. I hope that means your treatment is working.

[@lizg1976]

I reply as I watch the videos hence the second comment

[@ginabalestrieri7547]

Spencer, you are amazing! I love you so much!!!

[@virginiamorales1591]

Thank goodness that you have that mindset and that your wife is your support system and there for you. You’re in a good place now and understanding that you can do it, and being in a group with your same or similar condition is helpful too. You are an amazing person and deserve to have your health and happiness back. God Bless your journey and my best wishes for you and your future. ❤🙏👏👍😊

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@tracywilliams61]

My symptoms are very similar, I was in my mid 40’s and had symptoms I thought was heartburn but like you it ended up being multiple myeloma. My treatment involved getting my levels to zero. But where my treatment differed when going into transplant. I was lucky to have an identical twin sister who stepped up and donated her stem cells 😮for which I’m truly grateful. Happy to say I’m on year 15 since my transplant. Do suffer from graft vs host making me not as flexible as I once was. I wish you well!

[@marimarxuach7180]

Praying for you 🙏

[@drummersagainstitk]

Stay strong. We all are praying for you. God be with you. Please follow up with us.

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@ciscokid0110]

Lost my dad and my aunt to MM years ago. Treatment is so much better now.

[@ThePatientStory]

we are so sorry to hear this :(

[@ciscokid0110]

@@ThePatientStory wishing you the best with your future and pray that it’s a healthy happy one🙏🏻

[@pennyloafer3358]

What a nice man. I really enjoyed his message and hope he’ll continue to do well. I lost my aunt to MM ten years ago and I’m worried my mother has it now. Will press for more testing. Best wishes for your continued recovery!

[@Questinia1]

Thank you for an honest glimpse into what it's like. My husband was diagnosed with MM in 2021 after being followed for MGUS for several years. He remains in remission after the same protocol you've received. MM is being viewed more and more like a "manageable" disease with all the amazing progress they've made in immunotherapy interventions. People are living longer now and it's hard to say how long they'll live because, well, they're still living! More progress has been made with MM than most any other cancer so I've been told.

[@ThePatientStory]

we love to hear this news!

[@tamekiab1499]

I'm a patient at UTSW for MS. The quality of care there is great! You're in great hands ❤

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@roaminaround377]

Bless you for sharing your journey.❤

[@ThePatientStory]

THANK YOU for listening to his story :)

[@marymotherofgod4861]

Praying for you 🙏💕

[@susanrankin1701]

@@beaulieuc8910be encouraged it worked for my son at 9 years old. They told me he was going to die. All the churches in our small town got together prayed for him and he was completely healed! That was 30 years ago. ❤

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@carolineheffernan7368]

God Bless you!

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@lizg1976]

My brother died of Multiple Myeloma two years ago. My uncle also died of the same cancer. Prayers for you

[@mombradshaw5528]

🌹🫂

[@maggiegarber246]

I have told 3 different physicians over the last 2 years that I have a pain under my ribs. They looked at me from across the room and said that there’s nothing ( i.e. internal organs ) located in that location.

[@MiMi-kx1vy]

I am going through the exact same thing. I have the pain in my ribs for about 10 months. And I had some weird blood tests about 4 months ago. I am supposed to repeat them soon. I am going to set that up on Monday.

[@iSheree]

There are internal organs under the ribs though. What do they mean?

[@gingerjoy5836]

Prayers for a complete recovery🙏🏼🩵

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@stevesteve1005]

Prayers are with you Brother. My fiancee is experiencing same thing for months. Went for biopsy two weeks ago. We get the results this morning.

[@ThePatientStory]

hoping for good news!

[@chapmanmerchant]

You seem to have great famley and friends That has to be great i wish you the best down the road!! Mental is half of it! cheers

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@brandiroberts5765]

Starting my treatment this week. I've had it for 10 years (also "too young" for it when diagnosed, but this year all of a sudden I fractured my ankle & 2 vertebrae in less than 6 months (after never breaking a bone other than nose & toes). I know my plan is a little different than yours (pill chhemo for phase 2 of 3) but watching this helps me know what to expect over the next 6-7 months. Thanks for sharing! Also in the Dallas area (south of).

[@thomass2055]

I'm getting tested for myeloma now 38 yrs had symptoms of it for almost 14 yrs and now a doctor took me serious. The symptoms I've had where severe stomach pain/lower intestinal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, that lasted for months on and of 3 to 4 times a week, headaches that moved to bad migraines, symtoms of bells palsy such as facial paralysis to one or both sides of my face, kidney pain, rib pain felt stabbing and some times felt as they where bieng pulled apart, bone pain in the shins that spread, and the pain ached like growing pains, night sweats, fevers internal, and constant tiredness.

[@thomass2055]

​@beaulieuc8910 Thank You for the positive support you are giving me and thank you also for doing what you can to support others through this terrible cancer MM.

[@firecracker8071]

Oh my gosh your symptoms sound what I am going through

[@thomass2055]

@firecracker8071 my doctor told me myeloma can have flares just like Lupus they can come and go but unlike lupus the damage is more severe than lupus it will effect the brain heart lung and other major organs. If left Undiagnosed for to long could turn deadly. I hope you ask your doctor about testing you for it I haven't gotten my results back but my doctor says he feels in his opinion that it is it.

[@MsFibonacci1618]

I have Lyme and co infections, I experienced many of these symptoms you describe

[@joyshuman2727]

@@MsFibonacci1618 I have/had lyme was treated with antibiotics at 60 yrs of age now 78 pls watch Under Our Skin sent my blood to Igenex Labs in Calif for diagnosis - positive whereas Publc health blood tests in Ontario were always negative now have low white blood cells and sensation under ribs on right so far nothing showed in some imaging

[@JocelynJC1913]

May God heal you and restore your health 🙏 Stay strong brother. Sending lots of healing energy and love.❤

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@simplypositiveme]

I'm dealing with this terrible pain in my right side and chest. I've diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma a year ago. I am lucky to have found the SMM early and am getting bloodwork every 3 months and am scheduled for first 1 year PET scan this month. Im nervous since the right rib pain is much more severe so I'm preparing for possibly of going into stages. I will pray for you.

[@sandradavis9882]

You look very nice with your haircut & shave

[@gracetanner4132]

I’ve had pain in my right ribs for a year now I went to see my doctor and he hasn’t taken me seriously my bloodwork looked normal just a little anemic. But this anxiety that something is wrong in my body has consumed me

[@maryann823]

Go back, insist on a complete work up.

[@JOHNPT10]

Yes, health anxiety can make you feel even worse

[@barbaradw9969]

My husband also had Multiple Myeloma. As his hair started to fall out, he shaved his head. That day, I also shaved mine. We were at the Cancer Center 3 to 5 days a week for most of the day. It was as tiring for the patient as it was for the caregiver.

[@lindacampbell1559]

Sending you prayers and positive thoughts ❤

[@ThePatientStory]

❤❤❤

[@carolyngudgel1966]

I will definitely pray for you and your family! Cancer is no joke! Did you have any symptoms before your testing? Is that why you went to doctor in the beginning? Reason I ask, I've had pain and a lump about the size of an egg that's deep down at just above my waistline. Sometimes, it's downright painful! My doctor just blows me off.

[@kathyt2108]

Get a second opinion. Call your insurance company first, and they might cover it.

[@ThePatientStory]

second opinions are highly recommended!

[@Raley-s7e]

That is what exactly happened to me, I was order some blood works and doctor called me 15 MN after leaving her office to tell me she scheduled me for bone marrow biopsy. 2 weeks later , today 9/25/2024 I learned I have multiple myeloma , terrible and devastating feeling,

[@ssmccue]

Please research spikes in young adult cancer / nanoplastics.

[@californiadoll6273]

He legit looks better AFTER cancer lmao

[@RustyShakleford1]

Hahaha too funny sometimes being sick gives the excuse we needed to rest in the first place

[@lindacampbell1559]

Not funny creep

[@christinewalker5458]

I’ve been having slight pain where under my ribcage. It feels like something is not right with my stomach, liver, or pancreas? I don’t know why I’m feeling this sensation there? I’ve told the doctors, u do have stomach issues, bloating, gas, diarrhea. Been on pantoprazole for sometime now. Just got a scopic test done down into my stomach . Saw nothing. Car scan showed nothing? Am I just missing something? This can’t be normal. And waking up wet t-shirt, undergarments. Every morning.

[@laurie9722]

You rock. I just shaved my head so it wouldn't make a mess.

[@christinewalker5458]

🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@jq5843]

We all know why there is an explosion in cancer in young people.

[@michelles9897]

Spencer 🤗

[@Sammy-il1qf]

I don't understand why people write on here 'my parent/sibling/uncle had MM and died'. Only positive outcomes need to be shared!

[@24JJ821]

Why? Life is not all rainbows and butterflies.

[@Sammy-il1qf]

@@24JJ821 What purpose does it serve to tell someone suffering from a particular kind of cancer that their relative died of that cancer within 2 years? You don't think they might not want to hear that?

[@24JJ821]

No, I think you should tell them your relatives lived to 200 years old with that type of cancer. 😅

[@Sammy-il1qf]

@24JJ821 Or, here's a thought, unhelpful negative stories could just be kept in one's head? Clearly you've never had cancer. Move along troll.

[@24JJ821]

@@Sammy-il1qf haha, sorry for your issues. You like to project onto others lol. Please stop trolling people on here.

[@karenhenley2195]

You are so handsome in this video, movie star great looking. Please keep your hair this length and no more beard. You can see your dimples. Don't hide that face anymore. I know this isn't about cancer, but I know more about cancer than I ever wanted to. I wanted to comment on something else.

[@Eagle-eagle1]

Hey Karen I think you would like to get this guys number ? Let’s make this happen ! ❤

[@karenhenley2195]

​@Eagle-eagle1 That is funny. When you have cancer compliments can only make you feel better...

[@Eagle-eagle1]

@@beaulieuc8910my bad guys !

[@Eagle-eagle1]

I did not realise he was a married man !

[@WilliamBrandon-f2m]

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma level 3 in June 2017. Same aggressive treatment as the Patient Story. My wife was ill with Parkinson’s and the Stem cell transplant would have involved isolating me in the hospital for its duration. My wife was dying and would not have understood what was happening, so I declined the SCT. After she passed, I was no longer medically eligible for the SCT. I am now in my second remission and do not regret not getting the transplant. No longer as ill as I was (still really dislike dexamethasone!). The problem with mm is the uncertainty. I am 78 and cancer or not I am not going to get another 78 years. I am grateful for the 50 years my wife and I had together. For those who are recently diagnosed, remember that the treatments are getting much better. For the rest, remember to pray, hope, and don’t worry.

[@ElizabethHurtado-py8ur]

Hi