I have dedicated myself to writing this blog about my husband, who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in December of 2009, in an effort to provide support to those who have also been diagnosed with this challenging disease, to provide some insight into my experiences as a caretaker of a loved one with cancer, and to connect with other people in the same battle for life.
My husband, Kirk, is 43 years old, and we have a two year old son together and a sixteen year old son from Kirk's previous marriage. We live on a lake in Ohio where we own a seafood and steak restaurant and a Caribbean themed bar, which stay incredibly busy and hectic during the summer months.
During the summer of 2009, Kirk experienced tremendous back and rib pain that could not be relieved by multiple visits to our family physician and chiropractor. At the peak of his pain, Kirk had crippling back spasms that left him bedridden for days at a time, multiple sores in his mouth and a thirty pound weight loss. A visit to the emergency room, a few blood tests, a bone marrow biopsy and too many x-rays finally led to the diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma. Kirk was only 42 years old. Our little boy just turned one, and we celebrated our five year wedding anniversary in the hospital. Those are what I like to refer to as "The Dark Days."
But, I want to rewind a little and describe my husband independent of the cancer. Kirk is a talented artist and an entrepreneur. He is a dreamer who managed to turn his passions into a career, which we feel is a great blessing. Kirk's hero is Walt Disney because of his ability to fuse art, creativity, construction, and business into an empire built around the concept of FUN. Kirk's ability to have fun and enjoy life has always been inspiring, and he radiates the feeling that everyone is welcome at his table. The most admirable quality in Kirk is his loving nature as the father of his two boys.
The one life dream that Kirk has yet to achieve is purchasing a blue water sailing boat and becoming a Cruiser. It is that reason I have named our blog "The Myeloma Mariner." This is just the beginning.
Tiffany, my name is Heather Tillman and I was friends with Liz Hahn and Kirk & Jon in high school. She just posted a note saying that she sent you a picture of us from my facebook pictures--I was so pleased to hear that you folks enjoyed it. I have a few more in my facebook photos & I just sent you a friend request in case you'd like to look through them. I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear of Kirk's illness and how pleased I am to see that he has someone as supportive as yourself by his side. Please tell Kirk hello and give him an extra hug from me. You and your family are in my thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather! Kirk was so happy to hear that you contacted us, and we plan on going through the high school pics tonight after our little boy goes to sleep! I will post comments on the photos;-)
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see the comments--hope you guys have some fun revisiting the '80s! ;)
ReplyDeleteWe are on your side! Never hesitate to reach out to either Cassie or me. -Phil
ReplyDeleteI have a 43 year old relative with MM... similar symptoms resulted in a diagnosis four years ago and after 2 auto SCTs which didn't work, the one allo has and we have new hope. I wish the same hope for you and Kirk and he is lucky to have you beside him on this journey.
ReplyDeleteSandy, I am sad to read that the two stem cell transplant did not work. We have recently found out that Kirk is also out of remission. I have been researching the allo transplants. Write to me what you have decided. God be with you.
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ReplyDeletepain relief for back spasms