Peter Jackson
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
@pjackson_nl
When a doctor told him he had a low white cell count after some routine bloodwork in 2015, Gary Cross didn’t think much of it.
By 2016, he was dealing with the news that he had an incurable form of cancer that usually comes with a 10-year prognosis if it’s managed well.
“It was a big shock,” the St. John’s computer programmer said Thursday.
His wife and two grown sons were shocked, too.
“To find out someone has cancer — it’s just the word, cancer. It’s very scary. You really don’t know what is your future now.”
Multiple myeloma — often just called myeloma — affects the blood’s plasma cells which are part of the immune system.
An average of nine Canadians are diagnosed with it every day, yet the disease remains relatively unknown in the general public.
While it can’t be eliminated like other cancers, more advanced treatments in recent years has allowed patients to live longer, better lives.
Cross has been off work since May 2018, when he started taking alternating treatments of chemotherapy and stem cell transplants to keep the disease at bay.
The stem cells are actually extracted from his own blood and stored for later use.
The first attempt at chemo and transplant didn’t produce the desired results, so Cross is going through the cycle again.
Lake walk
Cross took part in the annual Multiple Myeloma March at Quidi Vidi Lake on Saturday. Cross and his fellow St. John’s marchers had set a goal to raise $16,000 to help further critical research.
According to the Myeloma NL Group on Facebook, the goal was reached.
"Thanks to everyone who showed up, and to those that did their March in their community," the post reads. "Of course, the biggest thanks goes to those who donated to this cause. No final number yet, but it does look like we should exceed our goal of $16,000."
Cross said he exercises regularly, is an enthusiastic bread baker who’s slowly perfecting the art of the sourdough loaf, and is learning to play the mandolin.
“Keeping busy and active has been very important and helpful,” he says. “That’s something all myeloma patients should all do: keep moving and keep our strength up.”
Martine Elias, executive director of Myeloma Canada, says the pandemic has meant fundraising has taken a big hit for many organizations.
“We need to do all we can to increase awareness and raise essential funds for research that will improve the lives of Canadians impacted by myeloma, and bring us closer to a cure,” she said in a news release.
Cross and other members of a local myeloma support group try their best to remain upbeat.
“The biggest thing with the support group is trying to stay positive,” he said. “You have to stay positive. It’s probably the most important thing to do.”
Because he’s susceptible to infection, Cross has to watch what he eats, and avoids crowds.
He won’t eat raw produce or vegetables unless they’ve been soaked first in a vinegar solution. And he goes to the grocery store as it’s opening in the morning.
“It changes how you deal with life. It just becomes normal,” he said.
More information on Saturday’s event can be found here: https://secure3.convio.net/myecad/site/TR?fr_id=1251&pg=entry&s_locale=en_CA
Peter Jackson is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering health care for The Telegram.
