Cliff Long's Health Update (as of 1/5/00)

    Over four years ago, I underwent neck surgery for an injury received while playing squash. The basic cause of the problem was diagnosed as multiple myeloma cancer. The surgery was quite serious due to some slowness in diagnosing a broken neck (they thought muscle spasms). I have some tingling in hands and feet, and am not as tall as I used to be, but am able to get around quite well - just not as fast as I would like. I have some minor shoulder pain, but pain pills take care of most of the problem and the pain seems to be decreasing somewhat - especially with increased activity.

    The really good news is that I'm getting along fine, and doing a whole lot better than I ever expected. I still get an IV infusion of a drug called Aredia (bone strengthening) every four weeks and usually have a maintenance dose of chemo every eight weeks. I seem to be able to handle the Aredia and chemo fairly well with no serious side effects. -

    I've retired from teaching, but am still involved in mathematics and get over to the office frequently. I am starting back to doing some wood & stone carving, and feel able to do some painting and other tasks around the house. I'm blessed with a wonderful family and caring and concerned friends without whom I don't know how I would have managed the experiences of the last four years - especially the first. I certainly look forward to each new day and hope that you are enjoying them to the fullest.

    Here's the history on this thing as it developed, if you really want to know: the problem, the first update , the second update , the third update , one year update , second year update.