Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

rustysgurl

(1,086 posts)
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 07:53 PM Friday

Rusty Just Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma

Well 2025 just keeps on giving -- it's hard to stay positive when the hits just keep on comin'. Lost my brother in December '24, my ex (with whom I had a speaking relationship and 3 children) passed from pancreatic cancer in August. Now my husband, whose gurl I am, was just diagnosed with MM. At age 76 the treatment options are more limited, and we're still waiting to hear how the hematologist/oncologist wants to approach this. Add all the economic and political garbage under which we're being buried and it's almost too much.

I almost wish '25 could be over and '26 start with some good news, but I don't want to wish away any time at this point.

Hoping for the best for all of us in the days, weeks, months and years ahead.

45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Rusty Just Diagnosed With Multiple Myeloma (Original Post) rustysgurl Friday OP
I'm wishing for the best possible outcome. LuckyCharms Friday #1
Support. mr715 Friday #2
Damn rustygurl.......we're all here for you.....🙏🏻 ♥️ 🙏🏻 a kennedy Friday #3
I am so sorry. Your circumstances are beyond hard. Hekate Friday #4
Sending good vibes malaise Friday #5
Healing vibes on the way to both of you SheltieLover Friday #6
Peace. cachukis Friday #7
Sending a hug democrank Friday #8
I am so so sorry irisblue Friday #9
((❤️‍🩹)) Deuxcents Friday #10
So sorry, rustysgurl Grim Chieftain Friday #11
I'm so sorry!! Beacool Friday #12
That is what I have mercuryblues Friday #13
So sorry to hear that canetoad Friday #14
A female friend beat it in her 60s with stem cell transplants at M D Anderson in Houston. surfered Friday #15
MD Anderson has all the latest researchers on staff. summer_in_TX Friday #22
I second that Jilly_in_VA Saturday #27
Sending healing vibes to Rusty and hopes for the best outcome. HeartsCanHope Friday #16
Thank you for letting us know, rustysgurl. calimary Friday #17
If it gives you any hope... radical noodle Friday #18
My husband has multiple myeloma and was diagnosed in 2014. There is so much hope with the many Nanjeanne Friday #19
I'm so sorry Rustysgurl, JMCKUSICK Friday #20
Strength to you and Rusty. May this be overcome. LoisB Friday #21
I wish you the best. NNadir Friday #23
Thinking of YOU OddMom20 Saturday #24
Holding you and Rusty in my heart for healing and strength TygrBright Saturday #25
Sorry SuzyandPuffpuff Saturday #26
🫂 mwmisses4289 Saturday #28
I'm very sorry to read that. MineralMan Saturday #29
Hang in. My dad was diagnosed with MM at 57 and died at 73 in 1992. Treatment is much better now. twodogsbarking Saturday #30
I'm so sorry to hear it. barbtries Saturday #31
Healing vibes to your hubby and a long hug for you. Nevilledog Saturday #32
I'm so sorry! denvine Saturday #33
I'm so very sorry DarthDem Saturday #34
I'm sorry. 💔 GentryDixon Saturday #35
Sending healing thoughts to you and Rusty. nt Trueblue Texan Saturday #36
Hugs, rustysgurl Clouds Passing Saturday #37
Rustysgirl, i'm very sorry hearing this. bluestarone Saturday #38
May successful treatment and remission be in your future!! pat_k Saturday #39
... littlemissmartypants Saturday #40
Dang. I am so sorry for all of it, and hope better news presents for you, Rusty and all of us. Take care, ED Evolve Dammit Saturday #41
so sorry rustysgurl; my best wishes to Rusty peacebuzzard Saturday #42
So sorry to hear: that's a heap o' troubles: PCIntern Saturday #43
So sorry IbogaProject Saturday #44
Hugs and good vibes stage left Saturday #45

a kennedy

(34,708 posts)
3. Damn rustygurl.......we're all here for you.....🙏🏻 ♥️ 🙏🏻
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 08:00 PM
Friday
it will get better, may-be not right now, but it will. ♥️

Beacool

(30,462 posts)
12. I'm so sorry!!
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 08:44 PM
Friday

I wish your Rusty the best. I hope that they can find an effective treatment for him. Stay strong and think positive!!

mercuryblues

(15,948 posts)
13. That is what I have
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 08:48 PM
Friday

Been in remission for 3-1/2 years.

It wasn't easy. If you want some tips or have questions, PM me.

We are all here for you.

surfered

(9,997 posts)
15. A female friend beat it in her 60s with stem cell transplants at M D Anderson in Houston.
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:19 PM
Friday

Good luck to you both.

summer_in_TX

(3,894 posts)
22. MD Anderson has all the latest researchers on staff.
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 10:32 PM
Friday

A very good place to go if you can.

A friend with an aggressive kidney cancer that had metastasized was treated there about 5 years ago by the research doctor who had just completed a drug trial on the latest. She's still here with no recurrence.

I hope that for your husband, rustysgurl. I'm so sorry that this has come on top of all the grief you have been dealing with. Will keep him and you in my prayers. 🙏

Jilly_in_VA

(13,359 posts)
27. I second that
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 12:10 PM
Saturday

My friend's mom was sent there with the same ailment (MM) at 70 and she's still going. I think it's been 4 years now. Take heart, rustysgurl, and rusty too!

calimary

(88,283 posts)
17. Thank you for letting us know, rustysgurl.
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:50 PM
Friday

It’s got to be so painful, both literally AND figuratively.

Maybe it just means you’ll be spending WAY more of your ever more precious time strengthening your bonds and your love for each other. One of you gets a head start on building a Rainbow Bridge for the other of you. And eventually, you’ll both dance across it together.

radical noodle

(10,420 posts)
18. If it gives you any hope...
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 09:54 PM
Friday

Mr. Noodle's mother lived to be 90 years old and was diagnosed with MM at about the same age Rusty is. One of the meds she was treated with was Thalidomide. She had few side effects from the treatments she got and was fairly active until the last year of her life. I hope Rusty does well and you can both see many more years together. I'm sure there are better treatments now than there were then. She was diagnosed about 28 years ago.

Nanjeanne

(6,433 posts)
19. My husband has multiple myeloma and was diagnosed in 2014. There is so much hope with the many
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 10:12 PM
Friday

new treatments. I will DM you with some information and if you want to talk p,ease reach out to me.

JMCKUSICK

(4,341 posts)
20. I'm so sorry Rustysgurl,
Fri Oct 24, 2025, 10:15 PM
Friday

I'm in a similar boat with my friend Rory, and please, as you said, treasure that time and try to find ways to travel this road arm in arm.

OddMom20

(52 posts)
24. Thinking of YOU
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 11:47 AM
Saturday

and Rusty, and hoping you both can capture a bit of peace amidst all of the chaos.

TygrBright

(21,241 posts)
25. Holding you and Rusty in my heart for healing and strength
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 12:03 PM
Saturday

Cancer treatments have come a long way since my Granpere had MM in the 1980s - hang in there, stay strong, and remember this community's got you.

lovingly,
Bright

SuzyandPuffpuff

(330 posts)
26. Sorry
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 12:08 PM
Saturday

And SHIT! 2025 sucks ... good folks like Yu don't deserve any of this. I'm sorry. Love and warmth to you all

twodogsbarking

(16,410 posts)
30. Hang in. My dad was diagnosed with MM at 57 and died at 73 in 1992. Treatment is much better now.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 01:28 PM
Saturday

People can live longer. Thinking of you.

denvine

(838 posts)
33. I'm so sorry!
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 02:18 PM
Saturday

That is a whole lot on your plate. Sending positive and healing thoughts your way.

DarthDem

(5,430 posts)
34. I'm so very sorry
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 02:37 PM
Saturday

I've heard there are some promising new strategies for managing MM lately. Sending best wishes and hugs your way!

GentryDixon

(3,098 posts)
35. I'm sorry. 💔
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:15 PM
Saturday

My twin was just diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I live 800 miles away from her, so it's not easy for me to support her in her journey.
I hope your Rusty responds well to his treatment.
Cancer sucks!

Clouds Passing

(6,297 posts)
37. Hugs, rustysgurl
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:29 PM
Saturday


A tough one for me too healthwise. I am still able to walk though, this is good!

bluestarone

(20,606 posts)
38. Rustysgirl, i'm very sorry hearing this.
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 03:48 PM
Saturday

Wishing you, and your family some future good news. Hang in there Girl.

Evolve Dammit

(21,312 posts)
41. Dang. I am so sorry for all of it, and hope better news presents for you, Rusty and all of us. Take care, ED
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:12 PM
Saturday

PCIntern

(27,735 posts)
43. So sorry to hear: that's a heap o' troubles:
Sat Oct 25, 2025, 05:35 PM
Saturday

MM is vastly more treatable now than it was even just a few years ago. Somewhat interestingly, dentists were often the first to diagnose it because on X-ray there were distinctive anomalies on the radiograph.

Best of everything to Rusty, you, and your family.

PC

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Rusty Just Diagnosed With...