Staying optimistic helped Levinson via three cancers.
This June, I’m celebrating my sixty fifth birthday, my fifth re-birthday following my autologous stem-cell transplant (SCT; changing broken stem cells with the affected person’s personal wholesome stem cells) and my 18th yr of surviving two plasmacytomas (tumors of the plasma cells in bony or tender tissue) and a number of myeloma.
I’m married to the perfect lady on the planet — the love of my life — my finest buddy and companion. She has been by my aspect offering emotional help and inspiring me to beat my analysis. I’m blessed with 2 daughters, a son-in-law and my first grandchild. I promised my daughters I had many targets to perform and to date, I’m proud to say that almost all of my targets have come true.
Previous to my a number of myeloma analysis and thru the assorted therapies, I had been a volunteer with organizations offering Meals on Wheels, literacy applications and group providers. I’ve felt a powerful need to provide again. I consider these acts of kindness have helped to construct my value locally. They’ve been executed to assist others with out anticipating something in return. When the tide modified and I used to be in want, my group stepped ahead with the love and help that helped me out of the darkish gap of most cancers and motivated me to beat this illness.
In 2006, I had a plasmacytoma on my T7 vertebrae and was efficiently handled with radiation. In 2014 one other plasmacytoma manifested itself on C2, once more, efficiently handled with radiation however my C2 was pulverized. I used to be like one of many Rock’em Sock’em Robots able to get my block knocked off. The collateral injury required reconstructive neck surgical procedure inserting rods in my neck to help my head. I can not flip my head and am now very forward-focused.
In January 2018, I lastly crossed to full-blown a number of myeloma. I believed that I should not have any drawback with remedy, as I had been down this street earlier than. Boy was I improper! Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade (bortezomib) and dexamethasone killed the most cancers and tragically, the Velcade left me with debilitating neuropathy in my legs, toes and fingers and an lack of ability to stroll. My SCT was delayed a yr as I labored to realize the power for the transplant.
A number of myeloma actually kicked my butt. I used to be homebound, unable to do something for myself. We had been dwelling in a metropolis with no household and restricted buddies. My spouse had a company job as a VP/GM of a high-end retail retailer and couldn’t keep residence to look after me. So, she despatched out an all-points bulletin to our family and friends about our want for assist.
Remarkably, we had 27 caregivers make 45 visits to help over 4 months. They took nice care of me and us. Drove me to physician appointments and myriad remedy periods in addition to grocery purchasing and dealt with the cooking. They rose to the problem selflessly and thru their care I started the journey to get again alone two toes. For his or her love, help and kindness, I’m eternally grateful and blessed to have such individuals in our lives.
At present I’m again to volunteering once more giving again to my group. I choose up meals from retailers for the meals financial institution and ship it to a Meals on Wheels location. Most significantly, I volunteer in my most cancers infusion clinic offering help for the sufferers, nurses and clinicians. The sufferers admire volunteers who’ve most cancers and once we trade tales and so they hear of my 18 years of being a survivor they will discover hope. I discover inspiration of their tales and watch their progress via remedy. These weekly 4 hours are a few of the better of my week.
Most cancers sucks and getting it 3 times is a minimum of 3 times greater than I anticipated, but it surely has taught me that being a great individual, being selfless and giving again to the group will come again in droves. It helps me keep optimistic and wholesome as I sit up for rising outdated surrounded by the household and buddies who supported me throughout this wild experience of my life.
This submit was written and submitted by Jeff Levinson. The article displays the views of Levinson and never of CURE®. That is additionally not alleged to be meant as medical recommendation.
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