Coffee with All4Cure - Kristine (1/3)

I was 37 when I was diagnosed with myeloma and I found out while I was pregnant with my son. Every month, I would go to my doctor for prenatal check-ups and have my urine tested. They do this to test protein levels because usually if a mother has high protein levels it could be an indication of high blood pressure. For pregnant women that can mean preeclampsia, which is extremely dangerous. Over the course of my pregnancy, my protein levels kept getting higher and higher. I was working out regularly and had very low blood pressure, so my doctors were confused as to why my protein levels were so high. During my third trimester appointment, it was suggested I see a nephrologist. The nephrologist ran a series of blood tests and called to give me the results. At the time, I was working as an emergency dispatcher. I couldn't answer the phone because I was on the radio, so I listened to the voicemail after work. I heard her say that every test was fine except one. It indicated my bone marrow was producing an abnormal protein and she referred me to a hematologist. Well, I did the thing I probably shouldn’t have and googled “bone marrow producing abnormal protein.” All it brought up was multiple myeloma. I did all I could to not freak out. Within a couple of days, I got my appointment, and it was confirmed. It was crazy to be sitting there, 28 weeks pregnant with my husband across from me, and wondering if I would see my son grow up. I felt so afraid. When the doctor finally said, “You have cancer,” everything around me sounded fuzzy. I was in shock. How was I supposed to get through this? For me, the important thing was to see how long we could keep my son cooking. It was then I realized I could get through this. I began some myeloma treatment and ended up having my son at 35 weeks. He came out perfectly healthy and had great lungs. Even though he was five weeks early and did not need any time in the NICU. It was amazing.