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Health by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver 27 | Thursday, December 11, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com "Connected to your Community" Support for those with rare cancer lets them know they are not alone decline in the immune system, genetic factors, certain occupations, viruses or chemicals. Age is the largest risk factor Age is the most significant risk factor for multiple myeloma, as 96 per cent of cases are diagnosed in people over age 45. At the Halton-Peel and Area Myeloma Support Group, the average age is about 50. The youngest member is 22. Considered a rare cancer, about 7,500 Canadians are living with myeloma, with 2,300 new cases a year. Early symptoms include fatigue, recurrent infection and bone pain. The disease can lead to anemia, infections, osteoporosis, bone damage, severe pain and kidney failure. Treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation and stem cell transplantation. Lindner was 56 and in good health when she was diagnosed in 2012 after routine blood tests showed severe anemia. Further testing showed hairline fractures in her ribs. She had experienced some pain, but had attributed it to overdoing it in the garden. After a bone biopsy, Lindner received the diagnosis. She opted for a stem cell transplant. During five months of chemotherapy treatments for myeloma, Norma Lindner met only two other patients with the disease she's battling. It was then she vowed to start a support group. "As soon as I was diagnosed, it was like being on a speeding bullet train. They asked if I could come in the next day for treatment. I had never even heard of myeloma," Lindner said. "It's lifechanging and because it is rare, nobody can give you any feedback. I felt no patient or caregiver should experience the diagnosis, treatment or relapse alone." Myeloma affects plasma cells Myeloma (or multiple myeloma) is a cancer of the plasma cells. It is the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells in the bone marrow, which destroys the bone. Because plasma cells are found in the blood, myeloma is referred to as a blood cancer. There is no known cause for myeloma, although research suggests associations with a into her body, which then began to produce new blood cells. "The treatment kills everything. You have zero white or red blood cells. You are taken right down and feel like a block of cement," Lindner said. After months of recovery, Lindner was in remission for 18 months. This past July, her ribs hurt and blood tests in August confirmed she was no longer in remission. Lindner has since started a new drug treatment. When she learned about her relapse, Lindner was on her way to a support group event. "I saw my support group members and burst out crying. The support group leader needed support," Lindner says. That is, after all, why it exists. The group provides local support, information and advocacy for people in the Halton and Peel area. But because no support group exists in surrounding areas, people from Hamilton, Brampton, Mississauga and even Niagara-onthe-Lake are invited. "It is not only to get information about the disease and meet other patients, but you really do get inspiration from the long-term survivors," see `You on p.28 Norma Lindner Lindner received medication to increase the number of stem cells in her blood, which were then collected. She then received high-dose chemotherapy to destroy the cancer cells in her bone marrow. Her stem cells were infused back Dr. Schisler & team welcomes you to our new location. In the South Oakville Centre, across the hall from our previous location. New patients are always welcome Evening & weekend appointments available. healthy lifestyle STaRTS hERE.. · Physiotherapy · Massage Therapy an acTivE services available: · Athletic Therapy · Shockwave Therapy · Osteopathy, Acupuncture and Laser Therapy 905 827-6102 South Oakville Centre www.HopedaleDentalCare.com 360 Dundas St. East Unit B2 at Trafalgar Rd., Oakville 905-257-1904 www.beinmotion.ca n ow o f f e r i n g P h ys i ot h e r a P y o s t eo Pat h y at h l e t i c t h e r a P y Why Do Oakville Families Trust Us with All Their Dental Needs? CosmetiC & Family Dentistry · implants invisalign · Dentures... From start to Finish! CROWN/DENTURE REPAIRS & RELINES, WHILE YOU WAIT Mon. - Fri. 9am - 6pm Saturday 9am - 1pm seniors DisCount Free Consultations New patients & ChilDren welcoMe OAKVILLE'S ONLY DENTAL OFFICE WITH A LAB ON PREMISES oakvillesportsmedicinecentre.ca 905 337 8455 2274 Lakeshore Rd. W. (at East Street) Oakville 905-827-2066 · www.brontedentist.com Dr. Michael Vo d.m.d · Kim Chung d.d.