Walker County sheriff Steve Wilson learned last week that he has multiple myeloma, a type of cancer.

Wilson said his decision to go public about his illness was because he is a public official and he wants his employees and the community to know. The community, he said, has been supportive with their concern and prayers.

A Facebook page, “Praying for Steve Wilson & Family,” has been set up. It already has nearly 2,000 friends.

The sheriff said he believes in the power of prayer and depends on God to guide him through this illness.

“I have to depend on my Heavenly Father,” Wilson said. “I have a host of friends and it will help me get through this.”

Wilson, who is 52, said the illness mainly affects people over 60 years old. He said his first symptom was pain in his ribcage, which led his doctor to take the biopsy that revealed he had cancer.

His doctor, Darrell R. Johnson, is with Chattanooga Oncology & Hematology Association (COHAA). Johnson works with seven other doctors who are part of COHAA.

Wilson will be taking chemotherapy treatments twice a week for the next four months.

Positive outlook

Wilson said he has not missed a day of work since his diagnosis. His goal, he said, is to beat the cancer and to run for re-election.

Wilson said that there are websites for multiple myeloma patients at myeloma.org and the National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov.

He said he has been humbled by the diagnosis. “It has been a lot to absorb in the past couple of weeks,” he said.

“I am upbeat about it and I have faith in God,” he said.

Multiple myeloma and its treatment

Multiple myeloma is cancer of the plasma cells in bone marrow. Symptoms include bleeding problems, bone and/or back pain, increased susceptibility to infection, symptoms of anemia (such as tiredness, shortness of breath, and fatigue) and unexplained fractures.

The plasma cells help the body's immune system fight disease by producing substances called antibodies. In multiple myeloma, plasma cells grow out of control and form tumors in the bone marrow.

The excess growth of plasma cells interferes with the body's ability to make red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, which causes anemia and makes a person more likely to get infections and have abnormal bleeding.

As the cancer cells grow in the bone marrow, the cells can cause pain and destruction of the bones. If the bones in the spine are affected, it can put pressure on the nerves, resulting in numbness or paralysis.

Multiple myeloma mainly affects older adults. A history of radiation therapy raises your risk for this type of cancer.

The goal of treatment for multiple myeloma is to relieve symptoms. Individuals with mild disease or a questionable diagnosis are usually carefully monitored without treatment and some patients have a slow-developing form of multiple myeloma that can take years to cause symptoms.

The treatment begins when the disease becomes worse or causes symptoms.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be performed to relieve bone pain or treat a bone tumor.

Bone marrow transplantation in younger patients has shown to increase disease-free outcomes and overall survival, but it does have significant risks.

Chemotherapy and transplants rarely lead to a permanent cure.

People with multiple myeloma should drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration and help maintain proper kidney function. They should also be cautious when having X-ray tests that use contrast dye.

Information from Google Health