The Glass is always half full…”
Meet Emmanuel Papageorgiou or Manny as he’s affectionately known to his peers at the Kew support group in Victoria. He is a cheeky chap with a great enthusiasm for life.
He follows the philosophy of laughter is the best medicine and vows to always return a smile with one of his own infectious grins. Being from a Greek heritage but born in Egypt he also brings with him great stories from his culturally diverse past.
Very much a family man, Manny and his supportive wife Joanna have 5 children and 5 grandchildren. For 20 years Manny worked as a home maintenance handyman building ramps and handrails for the elderly allowing them independence at home. In 2006 after suffering with sciatica for 10 years Manny was referred by his GP to an osteoporosis clinic who commenced a bone strengthening regime. After 6 months he decided to end the treatment due to the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw and the need to avoid dental procedures.
With further investigations it was soon confirmed Manny had a presence of Bence Jones Protein and a paraprotein level. At this point Manny was referred to a haematologist and his Myeloma journey began. It was February 2007, Manny was 58.
As with most diagnoses Manny had not heard of Myeloma. He was aware of the glaring fact a cure was not available but was willing to face whatever treatment was thrown his way to gain control of his disease.
By May Manny’s paraprotein level had increased and chemotherapy commenced. Unfortunately after two cycles Manny developed a bacterial infection in his heart needing six weeks of treatment to recover from. He was then prescribed oral chemotherapy and Thalidomide until his disease was back under control. Manny was then able to have a stem cell transplant in January 2008.
Manny describes his transplant as a terrible experience although he was only in hospital for ten days, he lost his hair for the second time. True to his nature Manny jokes he’s “waiting to look in the mirror and see a handsome man”……he’s still waiting! All jokes aside his transplant was not a fruitless venture as he then entered a state of remission.
In March of 2010 Manny experienced another rise in his paraprotein level. Fortunately this rise has not been accompanied by any other features of myeloma such as anaemia, bone problems or recurrent infections and no further treatment is required at this time. His Haematologist continues to monitor Manny’s myeloma bloods and general health and will recommend another course of therapy when appropriate. . Manny is thankful that he is feeling well and enjoys heading outside to his backyard each day to “smell the roses” He can do this with the reassurance from his haematologist that he “treats the patient not the numbers”. making note of the fact all medications have side effects but serve their purpose when necessary. Today Manny still lives with peripheral neuropathy from his previous course of Thalidomide. He is likely to commence a regime of Revlimid and Dexamethasone when the need arises.
Until then Manny enjoys his life, particularly his hobby of toy making a skill he is passing on to his grandchildren. Over the years Manny has been a delightful presence in the Kew support group and enjoys having contact with other people touched by Myeloma. He believes they are united by the same cause….”survival and the defeat of our nemesis, aka MM”
Manny Papageorgiou, as told to Hayley King, Myeloma Support Nurse (Vic)