Angela Byrd

multiple myeloma coach since 2024

Hello, I was diagnosed in July 2021. What I didn’t know was for 11 years before I was MGUS. I was started on Revlimid in Oct 21 and still take 25mg daily for 21 days monthly. I have adrenal insufficiency, stage 3 kidney disease, chronic anemia which I did not have before I was diagnosed. Because I felt so good with really no problems I don’t think I took this diagnosis seriously. I’m a Mom of 2 adult daughters and 4 Grandchildren. I have a great support system but my family has no idea what this Cancer is. I’m a Veteran, but I have no idea if this Cancer came from something I could have been exposed too. No one in my family have cancer and I come from a large Military family.

Steven Henderson

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

I was very busy in a rewarding commercial photography career, when, in 2013, I was diagnosed with MM, something I had never heard of, and certainly never considered. That year became a blur as the specialists at MD Anderson in Houston escorted me through the complex, and sometimes tedious, process of controlling the cancer enough to perform a successful autologous stem cell transplant. After transplant, I stayed engaged in work and remained active in exercise and a healthy diet. I really felt good, and remained positive about my future. Then, in April of 2021, I re-entered treatment in relapse. I was instantly amazed at the new and elegant treatments available for MM patients, giving way to a rewarding and comfortable life. Again, my cancer was brought under control, and today I see the bright blessing of a future where my wife and I can now consider the freedom of pursuing all we want to do, not have to do. As of 2024, I have had four instances of relapse, and have undergone a CAR-T clinical trial, and endured lesions in my ribs, and suffered a severe spinal fracture event. The CAR-T therapy has proven successful so far, and I am undergoing a lengthy and promising series of treatments to regain structural integrity in my vertebrae. It's been an amazing adventure that has brought me to this point, and I have no wishes that things were different. Never forget God's love for you, and remember also that faith replaces fear! I hope to hear from you!

John Bailey

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I'm a retired public health physician. I was diagnosed in 2003 with IgG kappa myeloma. Initially I had a tandem transplant as part of a clinical trial with two years of maintenance therapy and remained in remission for 15 years. In 2018 I relapsed and had a 3rd transplant using the remaining cells harvested in 2003 with followup medical therapy and remained in remission for another four years. In early 2022, I had a second relapse presently being treated with daratumimab. All in all, I have been on several different treatment regimens over the years due to side effects such as rashes and neuropathy and not due to becoming refractory to the treatments.I am fortunate to have survived myeloma for twenty-one years. Treatment for that long has taken a toll of course but I remain in relatively good health for an 81 year old, exercise regularly, try to eat sensibly, stay socially active and enjoy life every much. I am encouraged by the rapid progress in myeloma therapies and would be happy to talk with you if that would be helpful.