Mary Sage's Cancer Fight
Donation protected
March 2019 - see update link
January 2019
Please click on the UPDATE link to see my most recent posts.
Happy New Year. I have chosen to keep using this site to provide updates. The financial journey will never end and every dollar we receive is well used and helps us navigate the muddy waters of living with cancer.
It's been 3 years since I was diagnosed. Multiple Myeloma is a lifelong battle with cancer that leave many struggling on so many different levels. We are never really in full remission and often are waiting for 'the relapse' or to hear the word 'refractory'. My not so fav phrase 'you need to hit this hard, because this cancer only gets stronger'. We hold tight to those who have lived 5, 10, 15, 20 years with MM but somehow the only stories I read are of those 5 or less years. Maybe I need better reading material :D
Among other things that cramped my style last year - I lost another inch - I am down 5" since diagnosis. I noticed this when I asked a friend to hem my pants to a length that I 'thought' was good only to find that I needed yet another inch taken up. I am officially short, and pixie like!
I am not a hero
I don't think of myself as a warrior - If I am a warrior, I like the idea of living life courageously and surviving wounds that have left their mark on me. When I get to the end of life, I don't want to arrive pristine! I want to get there with bumps, dents, scars and a smile of gratitude that says, "Thank you, it was so worth all of it!"
There's actually nothing more brave than being able to show how afraid or angry you are of something that is scary. Or how sad you are about something that is really sad. To me, that's real bravery.
Live well
Love deeply
Laugh often
Pray Always
Feb 2018
Thank you Chris Devlin for running the LA Marathon in support of your 2 causes: Youth Policy Institute and Multiple Myeloma - via my Go Fund Me page
Every so often I take a look at my cover story knowing not many will click the 'update' page and just stop here. So today I wanted to tell you what you are seeing when you click 'my story'.
The Sunflow cover: I selected this cover (and I will not change it) in memory of my sons dad (my late husband) Mark Devlin. The Sunflower is the flower for Lipo Sarcoma - the rare cancer Mark died from in 2003. Like Multiple Myeloma - his cancer was rare and had and still does not have a cure. He fought for 10 years. I had just entered the EMT program when he went into his final stages. I hung up my helmet for a bigger battle.
The Blue Frame: I selected blue in memory of my mom - they called her 'Tiny Toni'. When I think of my mom - all 4'9" of her - I hold the memory of her power, strength and unyeilding love and faith. I stood taller than my mom until Multiple Myelmoa struck my spine in over 11 spots and 3 fractures. I cried the day they told me I lost 4" in less than 1 year. While I am still technically taller than my mom was - she remains a giant to me.
Please click on the Updates page and follow my montly check ins. This is a never ending story. While not every month has action and adventure, I can promise you every now and then some great stories from then and now. Stay tuned folks - we ain't done yet!
January 2018
Happy New Year. I was officially placed on full medical disability and am reading about Medicare Part B (??). That is a mystery wrapped in a blue striped card. And whoever thought placing your SS# on that highly used card was a good idea?!?
It’s been just over 2 years since I was diagnosed with Multiply Myeloma - Stage 3. Statistics say I would make 3-5 years. I plan to ignore that.
Six months ago I provided an update on how things are going with the trial using Revlimid . This month the oncologist outlined next steps if the chemo cannot contain the cancer numbers or impacts my Red/White counts too hard. My M-spike (the number watched as a marker of stability or change) continues to bounce 2 up 1 down and so it goes. As long as that number stays below ‘1’ I can remain on this trial. However it does come with side effects that may not permit me to continue on Revlimid.
Low blood counts
Low platelets
Low immune system
Low thyroid
Blurred vision
Memory loss
The bone damage is not reversible. My damaged spine (C-L) crushes my nerves and there are days I cannot walk well or need a walker or even walk at all if the nerves get pinched (and that happens without warning). I am constantly aware my organs are working hard to keep me ‘normal’. Daily I have about 3 hours of ‘up time’ then retire to a prone position so I can do it all again another day. A day spent traveling to the oncologist takes 2 days to recover. If I decide to take a day and actually go out for a time - I know I will be in bed sleeping the next day. That’s ok - a good day out with family and friends is worth a day of sleep. I just have to make sure to avoid illness, virsuses, or the like. And that was not easy during this flu season. I stayed in my home and still was sick for 3 weeks. This added a new diagnosis to my growing list - I now have high blood pressure. I should have known since I had weeks of migraines and nose bleeds and dizzy spells. Oh well - another pill to add to the pack.
As the doctors say - I’m alive! But the new normal sucks!
Our biggest struggle this year will be finding help to keep our home working smoothly. The house is now just over 20 years old and much will need done to make sure it is ready when we need to sale the house.
Our biggest obstical in front of us now is making sure I am able to get up and down the stairs safely.
But I am alive! Let’s not go over the statistics - I plan to break records.......
Stay tuned
June 2017
I updated the color Blue in memory of my mom - she loved blue and I miss her so much.
I changed the financal goal to reflect 2017 updates to my health and financial story. This is a lifetime fight - as of today I am responding to the chemo and will remain on the trial. That's both good and meh! We all want those numbers lined up and we just want to live better. Small Steps. The word remission is not happening at this time or in the future. I am living with cancer and a challenged immune system.
What's changed on the financial list?
We are not going to sell the house instead we are trying to retire in place. This means we are taking steps to 'watch our step' around here. Hiring help and creating a home that I can feel safe in living (until I die).
What else is new?
I am now on perm medical disability. Social Security Disablitly is next - more paperwork and doc appointments and trips back and forth.
Family healthcare expenses.
While not surprising - cancer has impacted other members in the family and is causing great anxiety and hardship. We are seeking assistance that unforturnaly is not covered. Last I wrote we were avoiding credit card payments for healthcare - this time - we can't avoid it. We just can't afford not to take action.
__________
November 2015
This page is created to assit Mary and Michael Sage with the financial stressors of this terrible disease. From ongoing medical expenses, house expenses, travel expenses to weekly medical appointments. Their home will need retrofitted for handicap accessibility.
We hope you are able to donate, even the smallest donations are appreciated.
The story:
November 2015 We received the news the ongoing pain in Mary's back that traced and nearly disabled her left leg was the result of Multiple Myeloma(MM). Multiple Myeloma is a rare terminal form of blood cancer with no known cure but can be treated. Multiple myeloma symptoms may develop slowly over time. Often, early stage multiple myeloma is asymptomatic (displays no symptoms) and symptoms don’t appear until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
Although multiple myeloma affects the bones, it begins in cells of the bone marrow. Therefore, multiple myeloma is different from bone cancer, which begins in cells that form the hard, outer part of the bone.
Mary has soft bones and MM is through the bones with several fractured discs in the spine causing constant pain, difficulties in daily living and weight loss of more than 80 pounds.
Multiple Myeloma (blood cancer) is a rare, incurable, but "treatable" cancer starting in the plasma cells of the bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that is responsible for producing antibodies in the immune system.
Where financial your donation will go:
Emergency visits for all the family members as needed
Ongoing medication needed for life
Debt reduction incurred for non covered healthcare, medications and life matters
Travel expenses to medical appointments
Chair lift for existing home
House care and maintenance
Home healthcare
Family healthcare not covered
In His Glory
Mary's fist husband Mark Devlin (1955-2003 Lipo Sarcoma) closed all his updates with "One Cell At A Time" and then added "God has carved us into the palm of His Hand'. In faith and trust we walk the path God placed us on and in Jesus name we will be stronger.
Mary is blessed to have in her life the love and faithfulness of her husband Michael Sage and the extended family that has grown over the years. It takes a village and we are so very grateful for the many well wishes, humor and assistance shared.
Closing thoughts:
In 2002 at age 10 Mary's sons asked...will we all get cancer?
Mom: we don't know, we live our lives by Gods words, we love ourselves and others, and bring humor and joy to all we do.
Son: then we won't get cancer?
Mom: Then we can handle cancer....or whatever life places on our path.
Be blessed-on cell at a time
January 2019
Please click on the UPDATE link to see my most recent posts.
Happy New Year. I have chosen to keep using this site to provide updates. The financial journey will never end and every dollar we receive is well used and helps us navigate the muddy waters of living with cancer.
It's been 3 years since I was diagnosed. Multiple Myeloma is a lifelong battle with cancer that leave many struggling on so many different levels. We are never really in full remission and often are waiting for 'the relapse' or to hear the word 'refractory'. My not so fav phrase 'you need to hit this hard, because this cancer only gets stronger'. We hold tight to those who have lived 5, 10, 15, 20 years with MM but somehow the only stories I read are of those 5 or less years. Maybe I need better reading material :D
Among other things that cramped my style last year - I lost another inch - I am down 5" since diagnosis. I noticed this when I asked a friend to hem my pants to a length that I 'thought' was good only to find that I needed yet another inch taken up. I am officially short, and pixie like!
I am not a hero
I don't think of myself as a warrior - If I am a warrior, I like the idea of living life courageously and surviving wounds that have left their mark on me. When I get to the end of life, I don't want to arrive pristine! I want to get there with bumps, dents, scars and a smile of gratitude that says, "Thank you, it was so worth all of it!"
There's actually nothing more brave than being able to show how afraid or angry you are of something that is scary. Or how sad you are about something that is really sad. To me, that's real bravery.
Live well
Love deeply
Laugh often
Pray Always
Feb 2018
Thank you Chris Devlin for running the LA Marathon in support of your 2 causes: Youth Policy Institute and Multiple Myeloma - via my Go Fund Me page
Every so often I take a look at my cover story knowing not many will click the 'update' page and just stop here. So today I wanted to tell you what you are seeing when you click 'my story'.
The Sunflow cover: I selected this cover (and I will not change it) in memory of my sons dad (my late husband) Mark Devlin. The Sunflower is the flower for Lipo Sarcoma - the rare cancer Mark died from in 2003. Like Multiple Myeloma - his cancer was rare and had and still does not have a cure. He fought for 10 years. I had just entered the EMT program when he went into his final stages. I hung up my helmet for a bigger battle.
The Blue Frame: I selected blue in memory of my mom - they called her 'Tiny Toni'. When I think of my mom - all 4'9" of her - I hold the memory of her power, strength and unyeilding love and faith. I stood taller than my mom until Multiple Myelmoa struck my spine in over 11 spots and 3 fractures. I cried the day they told me I lost 4" in less than 1 year. While I am still technically taller than my mom was - she remains a giant to me.
Please click on the Updates page and follow my montly check ins. This is a never ending story. While not every month has action and adventure, I can promise you every now and then some great stories from then and now. Stay tuned folks - we ain't done yet!
January 2018
Happy New Year. I was officially placed on full medical disability and am reading about Medicare Part B (??). That is a mystery wrapped in a blue striped card. And whoever thought placing your SS# on that highly used card was a good idea?!?
It’s been just over 2 years since I was diagnosed with Multiply Myeloma - Stage 3. Statistics say I would make 3-5 years. I plan to ignore that.
Six months ago I provided an update on how things are going with the trial using Revlimid . This month the oncologist outlined next steps if the chemo cannot contain the cancer numbers or impacts my Red/White counts too hard. My M-spike (the number watched as a marker of stability or change) continues to bounce 2 up 1 down and so it goes. As long as that number stays below ‘1’ I can remain on this trial. However it does come with side effects that may not permit me to continue on Revlimid.
Low blood counts
Low platelets
Low immune system
Low thyroid
Blurred vision
Memory loss
The bone damage is not reversible. My damaged spine (C-L) crushes my nerves and there are days I cannot walk well or need a walker or even walk at all if the nerves get pinched (and that happens without warning). I am constantly aware my organs are working hard to keep me ‘normal’. Daily I have about 3 hours of ‘up time’ then retire to a prone position so I can do it all again another day. A day spent traveling to the oncologist takes 2 days to recover. If I decide to take a day and actually go out for a time - I know I will be in bed sleeping the next day. That’s ok - a good day out with family and friends is worth a day of sleep. I just have to make sure to avoid illness, virsuses, or the like. And that was not easy during this flu season. I stayed in my home and still was sick for 3 weeks. This added a new diagnosis to my growing list - I now have high blood pressure. I should have known since I had weeks of migraines and nose bleeds and dizzy spells. Oh well - another pill to add to the pack.
As the doctors say - I’m alive! But the new normal sucks!
Our biggest struggle this year will be finding help to keep our home working smoothly. The house is now just over 20 years old and much will need done to make sure it is ready when we need to sale the house.
Our biggest obstical in front of us now is making sure I am able to get up and down the stairs safely.
But I am alive! Let’s not go over the statistics - I plan to break records.......
Stay tuned
June 2017
I updated the color Blue in memory of my mom - she loved blue and I miss her so much.
I changed the financal goal to reflect 2017 updates to my health and financial story. This is a lifetime fight - as of today I am responding to the chemo and will remain on the trial. That's both good and meh! We all want those numbers lined up and we just want to live better. Small Steps. The word remission is not happening at this time or in the future. I am living with cancer and a challenged immune system.
What's changed on the financial list?
We are not going to sell the house instead we are trying to retire in place. This means we are taking steps to 'watch our step' around here. Hiring help and creating a home that I can feel safe in living (until I die).
What else is new?
I am now on perm medical disability. Social Security Disablitly is next - more paperwork and doc appointments and trips back and forth.
Family healthcare expenses.
While not surprising - cancer has impacted other members in the family and is causing great anxiety and hardship. We are seeking assistance that unforturnaly is not covered. Last I wrote we were avoiding credit card payments for healthcare - this time - we can't avoid it. We just can't afford not to take action.
__________
November 2015
This page is created to assit Mary and Michael Sage with the financial stressors of this terrible disease. From ongoing medical expenses, house expenses, travel expenses to weekly medical appointments. Their home will need retrofitted for handicap accessibility.
We hope you are able to donate, even the smallest donations are appreciated.
The story:
November 2015 We received the news the ongoing pain in Mary's back that traced and nearly disabled her left leg was the result of Multiple Myeloma(MM). Multiple Myeloma is a rare terminal form of blood cancer with no known cure but can be treated. Multiple myeloma symptoms may develop slowly over time. Often, early stage multiple myeloma is asymptomatic (displays no symptoms) and symptoms don’t appear until the disease reaches an advanced stage.
Although multiple myeloma affects the bones, it begins in cells of the bone marrow. Therefore, multiple myeloma is different from bone cancer, which begins in cells that form the hard, outer part of the bone.
Mary has soft bones and MM is through the bones with several fractured discs in the spine causing constant pain, difficulties in daily living and weight loss of more than 80 pounds.
Multiple Myeloma (blood cancer) is a rare, incurable, but "treatable" cancer starting in the plasma cells of the bone marrow. Plasma cells are a type of white blood cell that is responsible for producing antibodies in the immune system.
Where financial your donation will go:
Emergency visits for all the family members as needed
Ongoing medication needed for life
Debt reduction incurred for non covered healthcare, medications and life matters
Travel expenses to medical appointments
Chair lift for existing home
House care and maintenance
Home healthcare
Family healthcare not covered
In His Glory
Mary's fist husband Mark Devlin (1955-2003 Lipo Sarcoma) closed all his updates with "One Cell At A Time" and then added "God has carved us into the palm of His Hand'. In faith and trust we walk the path God placed us on and in Jesus name we will be stronger.
Mary is blessed to have in her life the love and faithfulness of her husband Michael Sage and the extended family that has grown over the years. It takes a village and we are so very grateful for the many well wishes, humor and assistance shared.
Closing thoughts:
In 2002 at age 10 Mary's sons asked...will we all get cancer?
Mom: we don't know, we live our lives by Gods words, we love ourselves and others, and bring humor and joy to all we do.
Son: then we won't get cancer?
Mom: Then we can handle cancer....or whatever life places on our path.
Be blessed-on cell at a time
Organizer
Mary Sage
Organizer
Vashon, WA