Notes of an AMYLOIDOSISURVIVOR
Updated February 05, 2010 07:00:52 PM

I am 62 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 23 and 14. 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 our first . 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. At this time my musical activity is limited to playing at regular local jam sessions which are a ton of fun and very therapeutic.

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 to eliminate the excess production of the free light chain proteins (amyloids) in the bone marrow, the major side effect being the complete eradication of my immune system. An Autologous Blood Stem Cell Transplant on July 7, 2006 set the course to rescue 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