Hello, my name is Mohamad. In the whirlwind that follows a multiple myeloma diagnosis, it’s easy to feel like you’re defined by numbers: your M-spike, your plasma cell percentage, your risk factors.
I was diagnosed at 44 with IgG Kappa Myeloma. My numbers were daunting. But I’m writing this today to tell you that numbers can change. With today’s treatments, they can change dramatically. This is my story of moving from a frightening diagnosis to the profound hope of a deep remission.
The Starting Line: A Shock and a Plan
My journey began with the classic symptoms—fatigue and bone pain. The diagnosis was a shock, but my care team moved quickly. I learned my disease had some aggressive features at the start, which was scary. But I was also FISH-negative, a point of hope my oncologist clung to.
My induction therapy was DARA-VRDC (Daratumumab, Bortezomib, Lenalidomide, Dexamethasone). I won’t sugarcoat it—it was tough. There was fatigue, some neuropathy, and the mental grind of continuous treatment. But we had a goal: to get me to an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in the best possible shape.
The Climb: Stem Cell Transplant
In April 2025, I underwent my ASCT. Those weeks in and around the hospital are a blur. The high-dose chemo (melphalan) is intense. There were days of profound fatigue, nausea, and a complete loss of appetite. It’s a journey you take one hour at a time, trusting your medical team and leaning on your loved ones.
But then, your cells come back. Your counts begin to recover. And you start to feel human again. It’s a powerful feeling of resilience.
The Summit: Day 100 Results
The Day 100 tests are a monumental milestone. It’s the first major look at what the transplant truly achieved. I waited for those results with more anxiety than I’d felt in months.
And then, the news came:
· M-protein: Undetectable on serum immunofixation.
· Bone Marrow Biopsy: 0% plasma cells.
· MRD by Flow Cytometry: Negative at a sensitivity of <0.00056% (that’s less than 1 in a million cells!).
I had achieved a complete response, confirmed by MRD negativity. The emotional weight that lifted is impossible to describe. The tears were of relief and joy. The numbers that once defined my disease were now proof of its defeat.
The New Path: Maintenance and Life
The journey isn’t over. I now am on maintenance therapy with monthly subcutaneous Daratumumab and daily Lenalidomide. This is our long-term strategy to keep any residual cells in check.
Life on maintenance has a new rhythm. I manage side effects like mild fatigue and a compromised immune system. I’ve learned to be vigilant about infections, to rest when I need to, and to celebrate the energy I do have. I’ve also had to learn about nutrition to manage the weight gain from steroids—a common challenge many of us face!
A Message of Hope
I share this not to boast, but to show what is possible. To the person newly diagnosed, terrified by the numbers on their lab report: please know that those numbers are a starting point, not your destiny.
To the person undergoing induction or staring down the prospect of a transplant: you are stronger than you know. Take it one day at a time. The support of family, friends, and this incredible community is your fuel.
And to those on maintenance: let’s walk this path together. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, but it’s a marathon we are equipped to run.
The landscape of myeloma treatment is brighter than ever. Deep remissions are an achievable goal. Never, ever give up hope.
In solidarity and hope for a cure!
Mohamad
