Notes of an AMYLOIDOSISURVIVOR
Updated April 19, 2008 07:41:35 PM

I recently turned 60 years old, was born and raised in Regina, Saskatchewan, and presently reside in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. My wife, Lisa, and I have two daughters aged 22 and 12. I made a living as a musician (guitarist) for over 30 years. Since our first child was born in 1986 I have been a stay-at-home dad, a 'Mister Mom' - a househusband.  My wife is a Certified General Accountant. Playing music professionally has taken a back seat to doing the 'domestic dance' ever since our move to  PEI and the birth of Samantha. We returned to Calgary in January, 1989, where I stayed musically active, playing solo and with several bands on a casual level until New Years Eve, 2003/04.

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 AL Amyloidosis on November 14, 2005. It connected all the dots. I am now in 'complete remission' after having had high-dose Chemotherapy to eliminate the production of the amyloids in the bone marrow, the major side effect being the complete takedown of my immune system. An Autologous Blood Stem Cell Transplant on July 7, 2006 set the course to rebuild my immune system from scratch. I call this date my 'ReBirthday'.

I sincerely hope that this website will be of some benefit to the public at large, the medical community, to those who have been diagnosed with this deadly, largely unknown 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.

Sincerely
Bob Deutscher