Photo Session this morning for a friend with Multiple Myeloma

[dave lackey]

My neighbor and friend has been fighting MM for a few years now and has been doing great. Now, it appears things are going badly and the doctor is suggesting the stem cell treatment. Sounds very radical and dangerous. He had the stem cells harvested and frozen at Emory last year.

He and his wife are genuinely nice people and his faith is carrying him through with more than enough positive attitude.🙂

He starts the first part of treatment next week, so I asked him if I could get some portraits of him and his wife while he feels and looks like he feels good. As usual, no charge as this is a gift for them...and me. Actually, he has already given me a gift..just watching him and talking with him over the past couple of years has been inspirational and taught me a lot.

Will get some soft portraits with the M3 and the R4, both color and b/w.

I am looking forward to it.

 

[paulfish4570]

i am, too, dave.
i lift him and his wife in prayer ...

 

[dave lackey]

i am, too, dave.
i lift him and his wife in prayer ...

DONE! That was a lot of fun! Now to finish the two rolls and process/scan.🙂

Thanks, Paul... you of all people should know the path he is taking.

 

[jky]

... it's an honor to do something like this (i've always thought of it that way anyway).

 

[Tom A]

Being a MM survivor for more than 10 years now (and I had the stemcell transplant done in 2001) - tell your friend that there is light at the end of the tunnel. More medication is coming out that seems to work well. Side-effects can be a bit nasty - but better than the alternative.
The stem-cell transplant process is something else though. You get very tired from it and it takes several months to get back to some energy.
Tell your friend that I am thinking of him and however rough it can feel - it gets better.
The MM is now being regarded as more of a chronic illness - rather than a terminal cancer. Might not sound to cheerful - but it is a better outlook.
Oh, also tell him that the chemo for the stemcell transplant makes everything taste strange. With me, anything I ate tasted like galvanized sheet metal for a while. Gourmet dining is a waste - at least for the next 2-3 months (unless you like galvanized sheet metal).
With all my support,
Tom

 

[dave lackey]

Being a MM survivor for more than 10 years now (and I had the stemcell transplant done in 2001) - tell your friend that there is light at the end of the tunnel. More medication is coming out that seems to work well. Side-effects can be a bit nasty - but better than the alternative.
The stem-cell transplant process is something else though. You get very tired from it and it takes several months to get back to some energy.
Tell your friend that I am thinking of him and however rough it can feel - it gets better.
The MM is now being regarded as more of a chronic illness - rather than a terminal cancer. Might not sound to cheerful - but it is a better outlook.
Oh, also tell him that the chemo for the stemcell transplant makes everything taste strange. With me, anything I ate tasted like galvanized sheet metal for a while. Gourmet dining is a waste - at least for the next 2-3 months (unless you like galvanized sheet metal).
With all my support,
Tom

Thank you, Tom...will pass it along to John. As we have discussed before, I am amazed at all you do with this 10-yr battle you have fought. It means a lot to see someone share their own experiences.

And we are all delighted you are doing so well!:angel:

 

[oftheherd]

Prayers for your friend.

 

[gb hill]

Dave you are such a generous & thoughtful person. I too will keep your friend John & his wife in my thoughs & prayers. As you are aware it's not just the one suffering from the disorder who need our prayers but also the spouse. It's not always easy being a care giver, so the best for his wife as well.

 

[jslabovitz]

I'm sorry to hear about your friend, but I'm glad you are working with him to document his life. I lost a close friend (& artistic collaborator) last summer after a long fight against the same disease. I wish the best to your friend, and to you.

--John

 

[wjgorham]

Friends and family, where would be be without them?