“New and wonderful, ‘Myeloma Blessings’ came into my life last night!” – Lori Puente
Wow! I have come to embrace and truly LOVE the chance encounters I have in my daily life. It’s almost as if, “who or what will come into my life today?” Will they be for me? Or will I be for them? Or even better, for each other. Yesterday it was the latter.
Many of you read or are aware of Pat Killingsworth and his tireless efforts to bring the latest research on Multiple Myeloma through his blog and his book. Pat and I began an internet dialog over the years. And while we don’t always agree on things, I have come to deeply appreciate his willingness to entertain and share with his readers my differing point of view.
I learned several months ago, that Pat lives near my in-laws in Florida. We made a tentative statement to meet up if I was in the area. I was so behind on things that I grossly emailed him when I got here and said, “Hey Pat! I’m here!” So rude. Oh well, I was going to just go with it. He immediately responded and asked if I could join them at his support group that evening, dinner provided by Millennium (makers of Velcade). Wow. I have never been to a support group meeting. In Arkansas, I felt like everyday was a support group with so many of us treating there, but this would be a fun new adventure for me. Only 15 minutes from my location. My mother in law and I were out running errands all day and we drove right past where I would be that evening. Dave really wanted to go, but he has a lingering cold and I nixed it. Not a good idea for a sick MM patient to be in a closed space with a bunch of immuno-suppressed MMers! He pouted! Poor Dave. But I was happy that he wanted to go.
Off I went looking forward to meeting Mr. Killingsworth in the flesh and his lovely wife Patti, a fellow soldier in the MM Caregiving world, not too mention a bunch of new MMers. I found the Nature Coast Multiple Myeloma Support Group that Pat and another founded together. I was looking forward to the “experience.” I was greeted graciously and warmly by Dianne who runs the group now. She had a name tag for me and asked if I would be willing to give their traditional toast before they began gathering for their wonderful dinner (and it was wonderful), eating, and then their meeting. Ok, I said, I’d be happy too. Not prepared, but taking from my most recent blog some reflections of those we lost this year (they lost 4 of their members), and hopes for the future in MM treatment. Fighting through some emotional tears, I’m such a cry baby! 🙂
Then Pat suggested, with the group’s agreement, to skip his “ASH Report” and have me talk about our journey, mine and Dave’s. Again unexpected. I was prepared to be a visitor and spectator and ended up being a honored guest. It was really wonderful to meet them all and share our journey, our hopes, our fiascos. It will be pretty hard to top this, my first, support group experience.
They were amazingly upbeat, philosophical and very caring of one another. I’m so happy to have met up with more Myeloma Blessings. I’ve decided I can just never have too many of these folks in my life. Peripheral Neuropathy and all! I wish I had gotten a picture of all of us to share with you!
I feel as though my holiday is complete in this experience. My gifts are all unwrapped and they are fulfilling. Everything from here on out is gravy. Thank you Nature Coast Multiple Myeloma Support Group members and your families. You are inspirational examples of living with this disease. KUDOS!
I think I will have to start numbering my Myeloma Meet-Ups like my MishMash posts! Very cool.
Had an additional meet up today with Pat K. And this time Dave joined us, feeling much better. It was enjoyable to see two MMer’s have a conversation about all manner of things. Of course, I chimed in here and there, but sometimes it’s really nice to learn things new about my husband, his point of view on being someone who is living with MM. 🙂
[…] Another Myeloma Meet-Up! […]
SEE THAT?! THAT’S HOW MYELOMA MIRACLES HAPPEN. YOU AND PAT WERE MEANT TO PARTNER UP AND BRING SO MUCH TO HIS SUPPORT GROUP. THE GRACIOUS AND KIND MESSAGES THAT PAT, ALONG WITH HIS SUPPORT GROUP MATES WROTE WERE WONDERFUL TO READ. THANKS FOR SHARING THE RESPONSES, AND HOW YOU AND PAT INSPIRED OTHERS WHO ARE FIGHTING TO OVERCOME THIS DIFFICULT DISEASE, ON THE ROAD OF MYELOMAVILLE.
Lori, I am so glad I could be at the support group meeting last night. Your information and attitude made for a wonderful evening. I will make my daughter-in-law (caregiver) aware of your blog. I wish Dave and you the very best in the new year.
After listening to your story last night, I can tell Dave is a lucky guy to have you in his corner!
Thank you for helping to spread hope and a positive vibe for myeloma patients and caregivers…
Yes Dianne, it surely did. And is probably going to reverberate for me for some time. 🙂 I may be wanting to contact you about my project for some guidance.
It is awesome how things turn out, when we discover that it is not all about us & our plans. There is a bigger plan that emerges as we open up and allow ourselves to embrace what comes. Lori, your visit did turn out differently than all of us expected. Wasn’t that just an absolute marvelous gift for everyone! Thank you for being open to what comes. Much Love, Hugs & Health to you & Dave.
Lori, it was great having you at our meeting. I learned alot from your presentation. For someone, who was not prepared you did an outstanding job.
How wonderful…..a support group!!!!! 🙂