Living with Myeloma:The David and Sandra Chandia’s story

"I remember having excruciating lower back pains around 2005. This I attributed to a fall from a ladder. It eventually subsided after some rest, pain medication, and soaking with warm Epsom salt; so there was no need for me to worry. A little reminder every now and then, but I didn't think anything was wrong," David Chandia told Family and Religion recently.

"I can also remember experiencing feelings of extreme fatigue (I was always tired/sleeping) and being constantly thirsty. I thought it was the years of slaving in the civil service that was taking a toll on my body. A fun and relaxing retirement was now calling (or so I thought)," he continued.

And yes, so did he think. But he was dead wrong, as his suffering came to a head in 2012, especially when he woke one morning in excruciating pain. "Efforts by my wife, Sandra, to have me sit on a chair or to straighten up were met with anguish. I stood in the position for almost an hour," he recalled, "With tears running down my cheeks, I prayed for a moment of relief to come quickly."

On his trips to the doctors, many red flags were raised, and tests were immediately ordered. "My journey began with several blood works, X-rays, MRIs and the dreaded bone marrow biopsy which confirmed multiple myeloma," David revealed.

Myeloma is an aggressive cancer of the blood plasma. It is the second most common blood cancer, and is relatively unknown and can go undiagnosed until it begins to seriously damage health.

'What if'

"Prior to the official diagnosis, Sandra and I had discussed the "what if" and I had already decided that I was going to fight. Life has taught me that 90 per cent of the battle is won in the mind; and cancer was not going to rent a space in my cranium. Notwithstanding, this is a journey that no one can ever be fully prepared for."

For Sandra, the news was equally devastating. "A newly married woman, I was looking forward to starting a family and living happily ever after. However, those dreams were soon shattered ... I was transformed from being a wife to that of a caregiver within seconds. It didn't require much thought, the switch was sudden and automatic," she said.

David concurred, "This is not something one plans for, it is without warning, devastating, and brutal. We were now faced with a severe medical, financial, and stressful situation. It has been a journey that has robbed us mentally, physically, emotionally, financially, and almost spiritually. But it is a fight that I am prepared to battle to the very end."

LIVINGINPAIN

The fight includes living in pain every day, not lying on a bed to sleep since 2012, neuropathy, different treatment regimens, very expensive drugs, horrible side-effects, broken vertebrae, etc.

Yet, David said, "But my spirit is not daunted. God has been too good to me as He has provided us with the support that we need to go through. I have thrown my energy into living. I do not complain. In fact, I am always "alright". Sandra calls me a fibber. I call it my survival strategy. Sandra has been a tower of strength, giving her all without asking for anything in return. It is her strength and determination that I draw on.

"I embarked on a journey into unknown territories and held David's hands through sleepless nights, several radiation sessions, two surgeries, numerous visits to the doctors and labs," she told Family and Religion.

"But I did not always feel strong. I was convinced that I had angels supporting me during that difficult stage. At times, I found myself being energised in the moments of need and then almost immediately, overshadowed with blankets of tiredness and depression," Sandra shared.

And to those who, too, are fighting myeloma, David said, "I know your pain because, I am living it. Through this journey, never let go of God's hands, love more, forgive, live each day to its fullest and reminisce in the good memories. Life is too short."

March is Myeloma Action Month and the Jamaica Multiple Myeloma Support Group will be observing the month with a series of activities including the March Against Myeloma on Saturday, March 19, in Emancipation Park, New Kingston, at 6 a.m.

familyandreligion@gleanerjm.com