Carman Passes Away
- Christian singer Carman has passed away at 65 after complications following a surgery; he had been diagnosed with myeloma in 2013.
- Multiple myeloma is a cancer that affects the white bloods cells and bone marrow; treatment includes chemotherapy, radiation, and stem-cell transplants.
- While in the hospital, Carman asked fans to pray for him. Many people find comfort in faith and prayer while battling an illness.
Carman passed away. He was a legend in our camp and in our genre. He re-wrote all the rules—I remember listening to his albums as a kid. RIP Carman 😢
— Danny Gokey (@dannygokey) February 17, 2021
What is Myeloma?
Carman was diagnosed with this disease in 2013. Multiple myeloma begins in the bone marrow and affects overall bone health. Approximately 35,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with myeloma this year. Myeloma is the result of white blood cell changes in the body’s bone marrow, and it impacts the bone’s innate ability to self-repair. This type of cancer weakens the bones considerably, and over half of the people with multiple myeloma experience broken bones.
Related: Multiple Myeloma & Bone Health: What You Need to Know
Treament for this disease includes chemotherapy, radiation, medications, or stem-cell transplant. Dr. Sid Ganguly, the Director of the Lymphoma/Myeloma Program at Kansas University Medical Center, says in a previous interview, "Taking care of multiple myeloma is almost like taking care of your backyard. Five six years ago you had a fantastic green lawn, and now you see dandelions and weeds in your lawn," says Dr. Ganguly.
"Your oncologist is a master gardener," explains Dr. Ganguly. “They will choose a combination drug therapy to reduce the number of myeloma cells in your bone marrow, just as a gardener would use pesticides and chemicals to kill the weeds in your lawn.”
“After the number of myeloma cells in your body have been reduced significantly, you will see a transplant doctor,” he says. "The transplanter is a lawn renovator, aka collect grass seeds from your backyard. So the backyard now has all the dandelions gone, hopefully the roots are also gone, but the green grass is also gone. So now you have a barren backyard." He explains that the backyard will be “re-seeded” with a transfusion of previously collected stem cells.
Multiple Myeloma Treatment is Like Lawn Care
Coping with Grief & Turning to Faith
For Carman’s loved ones and fans of his music, this is surely a difficult time. As we live through the COVID-19 pandemic, many are passing away from the virus, as well as other diseases. Grief is a deeply personal process, and it can feel overwhelming at times. Be gentle with yourself as you process the loss of a loved one.
Related: "Therapy Saved My Life": After Losing A Loved One, Don't Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Thankfully, there are resources that can help to make the grief journey easier. Some people find support from faith, loved ones, support groups, or therapy. Beverly Reeves, an ovarian cancer survivor leaned on her faith during her diagnosis and treatment, as well as her inner circle of loved ones.
Related: The Benefit of Support Networks for Cancer Patients
Reeves says in an earlier interview, “Get a strong support group together. Get your close friends. If you're connected to a faith community, get your faith community, and get your family. Let them know what's going on and let them help you."
'Faith, Family, and Friends' Helped Beverly Reeves Get Through Ovarian Cancer Treatment
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