Terry Glassman

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma / Primary Plasma Cell Leukemia on November 17, 2022. As a registered nurse with a background in ICU care and cardiac research, I was able to quickly understand the complexity of my diagnosis and treatment options, but that didn’t make the emotional side of the journey any easier. Today, I draw on both my clinical experience and my lived experience as a patient to help others navigate their own myeloma journeys. I’ve become deeply involved in the myeloma community, serving as a HealthTree Coach and leading a support group on Long Island as well as co-leading a high risk support group. Through this work, connecting with patients one-on-one and in group settings, I’ve seen how much it matters to feel heard, informed, and not alone. That sense of community can be just as important as the treatment itself. I felt called to this role because I truly believe we are meant to help one another. There is something uniquely comforting about speaking with someone who understands, not just the medical language, but the emotional weight that comes with a diagnosis like this. Even with a strong and loving support system, this has been an incredibly difficult experience. My hope is to offer others the understanding, empathy, and reassurance I wished for early in my own journey; support shaped by both my nursing background and what I’ve learned as a patient along the way. From a treatment perspective, I have had my stem cells harvested but have deferred transplant for now. I have the t(11;14) translocation and have been on Venetoclax for over three years. I’ve also been on Kyprolis for just about three years, and Daratumumab and I’m very open to sharing my experience with these therapies for those who are considering them. More recently, I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have undergone a lumpectomy and radiation. If you are navigating both a breast cancer diagnosis and multiple myeloma, I am especially open to supporting you through that unique and often overwhelming experience. If sharing what I’ve learned helps even one person feel less overwhelmed, less afraid, or less alone, then I’ve accomplished exactly what I set out to do, because no one should have to go through this alone.

Melissa Rosenbauer

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

HOLA! I am Melissa Rosenbauer, an American living in Spain with my German husband, Thomas Bossert, who has multiple myeloma. Together, we have made it through the toughest year of our lives when Thomas (55) was diagnosed with MM in February 2022. But now we are on the other side and I am excited to help guide YOU through all that we've learned so you too can get to the other side of this. As a caretaker, I can speak to some specific areas of MM: - navigating care outside the US (specifically in the Spanish public system) - kidney failure and dialysis (Thomas was on dialysis for 4 months at diagnosis) - quad induction therapy (VRD plus Daratumamab) - strange side effects like hiccups - stem cell transplant - how to seek out and ask for help from friends & neighbors I am a happy, upbeat, positive person who chose to take this journey with love, understanding & acceptance. Yes, I've been through all the stages of grief at Thomas's diagnosis, but I've always tried to stay optimistic throughout. And this was in part with the help of HealthTree's coach program. Thomas & I connected with our coaches, Tad & Maci, very early on and they were with us every step of the way. I'd like to be with YOU every step of the way. From our experience, we know it's important to connect with people who are in similar circumstances, so I'll tell you a little bit more about me: I'm 45 years old, we do not have children (but one 4-legged fur baby, Lola!!) and I work as a textile & interior designer. I speak English, Spanish and German (I prefer English as my native tongue, but can help guide you in Spanish as well). I hope with my experience, we can find a connection and I can help you in YOUR journey. Let's get started and through this together!!

Laurie C

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I am a 60 year old female who was diagnosed with high risk [t(4,14)] IgG Lambda light chain Multiple Myeloma on Nov 1, 2021 after a tumor in my spine cracked my T4. I had 4 cycles of KRd, then an autologous stem cell transplant mid June 2022. I resumed treatment September '22: on Revlimid 10 mg daily and Velcade 100 mg 2 x per month. I am just changing to Revlimid 5 mg + Velcade 2x monthly due to bad headaches and blurry vision. I also got shots of Xgeva once every 3 months for bone strength, this is now being changed to every month. I can talk to people about life hacks for a successful autologous stem cell transplant. I can talk about what I've read about high risk MM. I can talk about the importance of managing your bone strengthener properly and what happens if your doctor forget a dose. I read all of the Myeloma Research that I can find. I am still working. I would like to bring kindness and support to the lives of those diagnosed with Myeloma. WAYS I CAN BE HELPFUL: tips on having a great bone marrow transplant; how to prepare questions to discuss with your doctor, how to help yourself heal through diet, music, exercise, reading and love. Understanding blood test changes. I can support patients in English and in French. I read alot about new CAR T therapies and related clinical trials for my work. Please write me! My email is HEALINGMYELOMA@GMAIL.com I AM NOT THE BEST RESOURCE FOR: discussing issues related to end of life, grief management, palliative care, prognosis, etc. I am not knowledgeable about anything related to insurance issues and or the health insurance appeal process. healingmyeloma@gmail.com IS MY EMAIL healingmyeloma.blogspot.com IS MY BLOG I love coaching, so please email me HEALINGMYELOMA@gmail.com Wishing you peace and love.