Notes of an AMYLOIDOSISURVIVOR
Updated March 06, 2016 11:07:01 PM

I was born in 1948 in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada and have been living in Calgary, Alberta off and on since 1977. I married in 1985, divorced in 2012 and have two adult daughters 10 years apart. I had been making a living as a musician (guitarist) since 1962 but since our first child was born in 1986 maintained the roll of stay-at-home, primary caregiver. Playing music professionally took a back seat to doing the 'domestic dance'.

My health problems began in the fall of 2001 with a case of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, in both wrists. Since that time I have had a string of ailments and symptoms seemingly unrelated until I was diagnosed with Primary Systemic (AL) Amyloidosis on November 14, 2005. It connected all the dots. I am now in 'complete remission' after having had high-dose Chemotherapy (one large dose of Melphalan on July 6, 2006) to halt production of the free light chain proteins (amyloids) in the bone marrow. As this treatment resulted in the complete obliteration of my immune system an Autologous Blood Stem Cell Transplant was administered on July 7, 2006 to set the course for its 'rescue'. I call this date my 'ReBirthday'.

I started this website/blog in March, 2006 to keep my family and friends informed and sincerely hope it can be of some benefit to the public at large, the medical community, to those who have been diagnosed with this deadly, rare, 'orphan' disease and their loved ones, and in particular for those who may exhibit symptoms of Amyloidosis but have gotten either a misdiagnosis or none at all. EARLY DIAGNOSIS IS CRUCIAL!!

Sincerely
Bob Deutscher