Waldy, Myelo, & Me - Surviving Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia & Myelodysplastic Syndrome

If you, a loved one, or one of your patients is suffering from a blood or bone marrow cancer, this is your book
At fifty-seven, Dr. Carol Turner was in peak health and avidly participating in the full gamut of outdoor spots that Colorado has to offer. Then, heading out to watch her sons compete in the state's annual mountain bike championship, she pulled into a gas station, received a call from her doctor, and learned that she had cancer. She knew instantly that what was to come had personal and universal significance, and started taking notes immediately, from the passenger seat of the car.
Those notes turned into this book-a candid, unvarnished chronicle of her cancer journey, from diagnosis to recovery. The path oscillates between denial and acceptance, hope and despair, expectation and reality, and endless appointments bookended by interminable waits. There's a one-night descent into madness, a one-month descent into hell, and in the middle of that, a moment of pristine clarity in which time almost seems to stop. While there's plenty of fear and pain here, both are trumped by positivity, gratitude, and humor, all of which made her recovery possible.
This is the story of what Dr. Turner went through, what her family went through, what she spared them from, as well as a cast of all-too-human caregivers who shepherded her along the way. This is a great read for cancer patients, and a must-read for bone marrow and blood cancer patients. Beyond that, this book isn't just for those facing cancer themselves-it's for the people who love them, and the people who have dedicated their lives to caring for them.

List of contents

Part I:
My Big Molecule
The Call
The Pain
The Life Review
The Doctors
The Bone Marrow Biopsy
The Wait
The Diagnosis
The Education
The Second Wait
The First Treatment Day
The Great News
The Effects
The Second Treatment, the Consult, and My Song
The IGM Surge
The Lab Results
Bonkers
The Lab-Induced Confusion
The Information
The Oscillations
The Closing Arguments
Part II:
Straight into Hell
Three Months Later-the Walkout
The New Clinic
The Second Take
Let's Try More Stupid Medication
The Pretransplant Home Prep
The Hospital Room
The Reality Check and Descent
Oncology 101: Transplant Biology Seminar No. 1
Oncology 101: Transplant Biology Seminar No. 2
Oncology Nurses
The Donor
My Bright Red Cells
Rude Food Awakening
Sloughing Tissue
Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC): Transplant Biology Seminar No. 3
Reflections on Survival
Trying to Get the Heck Out of Here
Part III:
Recovery, Life Retrieval, and Bodily Restoration
Posttransplant Home Recovery
Itchy Zombie
Biopsy
Detours
Approaching Survival
Back to the Living
Acknowledgments

About the author

CAROL TURNER is a mom, wife, physician, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and cancer patient-in that order. She completed her undergraduate education at the University of Texas in Austin, her medical degree at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, her pediatrics residency at the University of Colorado Affiliated Hospitals in Denver, and her fellowship in pediatric emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School and Boston Children's Hospital. She went on to practice pediatric emergency medicine at Children's Hospital in Denver for ten years before opening her own solo rural primary care pediatric practice in the foothills southwest of Denver. Today she lives in Conifer, Colorado with three sons, two dogs, one cat, and one husband. She hopes to find another patient in the world with her singularly rare diagnostic combination-currently, she's the lone data point-and that this book is helpful to those who read it.

Summary

At fifty-seven, Dr. Carol Turner was in peak health and avidly participating in the full gamut of outdoor sports that Colorado has to offer. Then, on her way to watch her sons compete in the state’s annual high school mountain bike championship, she pulled into a gas station, received a call from her doctor, and learned that she had cancer. As a doctor herself, she instantly knew that what was to come would have personal and universal significance, and started taking notes immediately, from the passenger seat of the car. Those notes turned into this book―a candid, unvarnished chronicle of her cancer journey, from diagnosis to recovery.
In Waldy, Myelo, & Me, Dr. Turner courageously shares her remarkable journey of resilience, hope, and triumph over two rare blood disorders: Waldenstrom's Macroglobulinemia and Myelodysplastic Syndrome. With unwavering determination and a heart full of positivity, Dr. Turner takes readers on a compelling ride through her experiences, offering insights and inspiration for anyone facing similar health challenges.

• A Personal Chronicle of Triumph: Join Dr. Turner as she navigates the intricate web of medical diagnoses, treatment protocols, and emotional highs and lows. Through her candid narrative, readers will witness the power of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
• Navigating the Unknown: Gain valuable insights into coping strategies, communication with medical professionals, and the importance of building a robust support system. Dr. Turner's story sheds light on how to approach the unknown with courage and strength.
• Fostering Hope and Positivity: Discover how Dr. Turner’s unyielding optimism and determination became instrumental in her healing journey. Waldy, Myelo, & Me is a testament to the transformative effects of maintaining a positive mindset in the midst of life's challenges.
• Empowering Others: Dr. Turner’s story isn't just about her own journey – it's about empowering others to advocate for their health, seek knowledge, and find solace in shared experiences. Readers will find a wellspring of encouragement to face their health battles head-on.
• A Beacon of Resilience: Waldy, Myelo, & Me stands as a beacon of resilience, offering a heartwarming reminder that even in the darkest times, there is light to be found. Dr. Turner’s unwavering spirit serves as an example of the incredible strength we all possess within.

Dr. Turner's Waldy, Myelo, & Me is an empowering testament to the human spirit's capacity to overcome life's most daunting challenges. With candor, wisdom, and a touch of humor, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and guidance on their own path to healing and resilience.

Product details

• Authors: Carol Turner, Carol Turner M.D.
• Publisher: Ingram Publishers Services
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 01.09.2023
• EAN: 9781642257977
• ISBN: 978-1-64225-797-7
• No. of pages: 168
• Subjects: Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Medicine > General; MEDICAL / Oncology / General, HEALTH & FITNESS / Diseases & Conditions / Cancer