Carols Multiple Myeloma Fight

As a few of you already know, Mom (Carol Ganiere) has recently been diagnosed with a blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. She is stage 3, 80% of the plasma in her bone marrow is cancerous. This is a cancer in which a group of plasma cells becomes cancerous and multiplies. The disease can damage the bones, immune system, kidneys, and red blood cell count. She has had to have a blood transfusion already due to her red blood cell count being so low and her kidneys are extremely damaged at this point. She also has multiple lesions (small holes) on her bones throughout her body. She has had to have a kidney biopsy to determine what type of protein is building up and clogging the kidneys so they know the best course of action to help protect them and keep them going. She has also had a bone marrow biopsy. This type of cancer is treatable but is not curable. With treatment they believe can get Mom into remission but she will continue to take medication the rest of her life to keep the cancer cells “asleep.” We met with her oncology doctor on Christmas Eve to discuss treatment options. They believe the best course of action will be to start chemo and radiation right away. Her first radiation appointment will be on Thursday the 27th of December in Wenatchee. Chemo will begin in about two weeks once the oral chemo medication is approved and sent to her. She will take the oral chemo pill daily as well as an IV chemo weekly. Once they believe she is in remission they will send her to Seattle to have a stem cell transplant. This has proven to be the most effective course of treatment to keep multiple myeloma patients in remission. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers sent her way. We know lots of you are wanting to help in some way so if you would like you can donate here to help with gas, possible over night stays, and ultimately her stay in Seattle since she won’t be able to work then. She would also like everyone in the Moses Lake School District to know that if they would like to donate any hours to her leave sharing it would be greatly appreciated. We love and appreciate you all backing her up during this fight.