All- I recieved this email yesterday from Debby and she asked me to post it to the list.  I could not help Debby with her problem.  Does anyone have information regarding an "interthecal pump?"  David

From: Deborah Schyman <debbyis@hotmail.com>
Date: September 22, 2008 4:44:26 PM EDT
To: Beating Myeloma <info@beating-myeloma.org>
Subject: RE: [beating-myeloma.org] The Results are in: The beating-myeloma.org fall newsletter

Mr. Emerson,

I don't know if I'm doing this correctly or not, I've never been part of an Internet group thingy so I don't know the rules and such.  I didn't even own a cell phone until 3 years ago, so I feel the need to ask for a break.  Here's my question:

I have multiple myleoma.  I was diagnosed in Feb. (this year) and my M spike was 12.1.  After velcade and revlimde (I had to tell my Doctor to give me revlimade, by the way) my M spike is now 1.6.  Wahoo.  The cancer seems to be leaving my body, but the pain, however, won't.

I was in the hospital for three months and because the myeloma had spread to my spine, I almost lost my ability to walk.  The pain in my back and my neck was so bad, they installed an Interthecal Pump into my stomach.  My questions are about this pump.

Is there anyone out there who has an Interthecal Pump because their pain was so bad?  If so, how long did they have it in them and was it helpful for them?  How long do bones, damaged by myeloma, take to heal?  What medicine do they have in their pump? 

The pump is made by a company called Medtronics and I'm pretty much feeling like I'm the only one on the planet who has this thing.  How do I find out if that's true?  How do I go about finding people like me?

I read your e-mails each time I get them and they have been a tremendous help.

Thank you for your time.

Debby