It's nerve wracking for sure. Getting a caregiver/driver. Making appointments, worrying about what insurance is going to pay. Trying not to get another infection. Hoping the treatments work. Hoping the nurses are sweet etc. It's very hard in the beginning. It usually does get better. The first year or so is usually the hardest. I couldn't think too far ahead. One day at a time.

I second Donna's "It's very hard in the beginning".
My MM was found due to a fractured L4. Though my kyphoplasty did an outstanding job of repairing it, Induction Treatment put me in a walker and transport chair within two to three months, due to the muscle wasting and neuropathy of the MM Meds.

That said - it's now 3 years since my Diag and I've put myself completely back to Normal and even Better (I'm about 30 pounds less).

I've taken a different path than typical. Most assuredly, I needed and went through Induction with DarzFasPro+RVd but in 2021/2022, at 3 months, I insisted on transitioning to Maintenance, which after 4 months, I tested MRD Negative (No collection of Stem Cells and No SCT) and I immediately Stopped All MM Meds.

My Marrow remains cancer free, as of late Dec 24', it will be 3 years. In July of 2022, I spent 3 months - 7 days weekly at Planet Fitness (free to seniors with Silver Sneakers or similar) and rebuilt my arms and legs. A year ago, I had to deal with a Bone Lesion Event but that resolved quickly with a short term use of Revlimid and Dex and then I quickly stopped all MM Meds again.

A year ago, that Event caused me to change to a Plant Based Diet and plenty of Key Supplements. I'm cancer free, strong and healthy, continue with Labs Only Monitoring and Quarterly clonoSEQ MRD tests.

This is a Road Very Seldom Traveled, as all my Oncs and Specialist were recommending a SCT and Life Long Continuation of MM Meds - which for me, is No Life at All - I can not tolerate these MM Meds.

I know from all the Tests I do such as Natural Killer Cells, Omega 3/6, and Labs that I've put this behind me and I've restored my Life but I'll say, that first year was painful and extremely difficult.

I'm not saying everyone can have the same results but I did start from a very bad place of Stage 2, 80+% bad plasma, and one high risk of t4;14.

I do know for sure that avoiding the SCT is important - Dana-Farber's Dec 23' Press Release finally stated - Keep it In Reserve if you Respond Well to Induction (by at least Very Good or Better) due to the long term damage that results in more infections of a more frequent nature - Still I'll say, getting Off MM Meds, a Plant Based Diet and Key Supplements have an excellent chance of restoring a person's Natural Killer Cells, Normal CBCs, and much more.

This is a Fight that can be Won.

Thank you All who responded to this post 🙏👍 and I wandering how you all can manage to go for the process and surgery it’s looks like a bit tough or hard to handle (scary) and its take time to recover and cope with the pain and situation (stress).
Sometimes my thinking this MM are connect to one another problem,it seems like but (You can do it and so do l
Thank you very much and take care be good always 🤒🫡🥵

Spinal cord compression has to be dealt with ASAP. Usually surgery or radiation or a combination of both. They usually give steriods for the swelling.

I had 4 compression fractures and I went to a Neurosurgeon to see about Kyphoplasty but he said no surgery since they had already healed. He is thinking about putting a back brace on me just when I am walking, working in my flower bed, cleaning or cooking but he does not want me to wear it all the time. I do not have any nerve damage or muscle damage. Hope you are doing okay