Welcome to Living Healthy Chicago.
I'm Jane Monzures.
We want to kick off today's show talking about
the important role our families play in our health journeys.
Their support can be significant when it comes
to facing a challenge.
Plus they keep up motivated to work towards recovery.
This next man says having his family by his side
ensured that his spirits remain high
as he went through treatment for a serious health issue.
Robert Banks has always appreciated time spent outdoors.
- I'm kind of an outdoor person.
I just like movin' around and gettin' fresh air.
Just bein' out and about, I don't know what it is,
it's just something about it, makes me feel happy.
- [Jane] And because of his overall healthy lifestyle,
he was surprised to get some concerning news
from his doctor during a routine physical
a few years ago.
- I get a physical every year for my birthday.
My doctor asked me how I was feeling.
And he says he sees a little something in my blood.
He said I had seven percent protein in my blood.
He said the average person has two to three percent.
- [Jane] Doctors monitored those numbers,
and when they increased, Robert was diagnosed
with multiple myeloma.
- Multiple myeloma is a type of cancer that affects
your immune system, specifically a type of cell
that is called plasma cell.
This plasma cell is responsible for protecting
you from infections.
The way these cells are gonna do this
is by producing a protein.
For some unknown reason, these cells can become malignant.
The most common symptoms are fatigue,
and pain in their bones.
Many times their doctors find that the protein level
is elevated, so multiple myeloma affects your body entirely.
- I had never heard of it before.
I never felt sick.
He said there was absolutely nothing that I did.
It's in my DNA.
- [Jane] After some consultation with his doctors,
Robert went ahead with treatment.
- Robert went through high dose chemo tropine stem cell
transplantation, he had a bone marrow transplant.
- [Jane] Despite the serious nature of his health issues,
Robert chose to focus on staying positive.
- I don't think worrying does any good.
I'm kinda like the glass is half full.
What's gonna happen gonna happen.
- [Doctor] He was a person that was very optimistic.
I certainly have seen a difference on my patients.
They do better because they are optimistic.
- [Jane] Robert says what kept him upbeat
was his family.
- Big family, lot's of love.
I had somebody with me in the hospital every night.
So I was very fortunate.
- Family support is extremely important.
If you think about how difficult these treatments will be,
those patients who have family support,
they do better than if they go through this by themselves.
- [Jane] With his family cheering him on,
Robert recovered well, and recently enjoyed a big birthday
celebration with his loved ones.
- Family gave me a big party.
Lots of family and friends.
I think that I'm blessed.
I have been very blessed to have such a big family
and support system.
- [Jane] Even through Robert will continue to be monitored,
he says he's doing much better.
- I'm great, I feel good.
Only looking forward from here.
- I like to tell patients that unfortunately,
no one can call all this a cure, however you cut
the grass so close to ground, that it takes many
many years for that to grow back.
- [Jane] Both Robert and Dr. Rodriguez hope to spread
awareness about this health issue,
and the importance of checking in regularly
with your doctor, about the health of your blood
and your body.
- One thing that can make a difference in the diagnosis,
management, outcome, is if we find these diseases early,
they listen in tomotology, you feel weak,
you have pain in your bones, don't let that go
too many weeks, many months before calling your doctor.
- You have to do the doctor.
You gotta get checked out.
A routine physical is very very important.
I think that's where it starts at,
it saves your life, absolutely absolutely.