Tad Chance

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

Tad was diagnosed with Stage 2 IgG Kappa Multiple Myeloma in August 2021 at the age of 47. Tad underwent 3 1/2 rounds of induction therapy (cut short by Velcade induced neuropathy) and a Stem Cell Transplant in December 2021. Maci dove head first into the role of caregiver, educating herself, organizing medical records, and acted as an advocate for Tad's care. In March of 2022 Tad achieved Very Good Partial Response to his treatment. In April of 2022, in addition to starting 10mg of Revlimid daily, Tad was enrolled in a clinical trial to test the efficacy of Daratumumab as maintenance therapy and receives shots monthly. In September of 2022 he reached Complete Response (just a few days before our wedding!), in July of 2023 achieved MRD-, and he continues his maintenance treatments to this day. Between us we have 5 children ages ranging from 17 to 22. We maintain a grounded approach to supporting them through the diagnosis and treatment. We continue to learn and grow as we adjust to life with Multiple Myeloma (or as we like to say, Myeloma adjusts to life with us!) and have chosen to take this journey with informed optimism. We have faced hard things, we will continue to face them, but we intend to find gratitude and celebrate every day. We would love to support others on their journey with Multiple Myeloma.

Randi Schwartz

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

Hi! I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma at age 47 and had an autologous SCT in August of 2016. This summer, I will be celebrating my 5 year “new” birthday -a wonderful milestone! To date, my myeloma presents free of high risk genetic markers; however, it is accompanied by the complication of light chain deposition disease which compromises kidney function. As someone who loves the outdoors & endurance sports (running, biking, hiking, triathlon) dealing with kidney issues has been a tricky piece of my puzzle while I’ve worked to re-gain parts of my pre-myeloma life. Tricky as it may be, with the support of a good team of medical professionals, family, friends, and myeloma community paired with properly educating and advocating for myself, I have been incredibly fortunate to return to many of the things I love while managing this disease. For me, the power of mindset has played a huge role in living a vibrant life while co-existing with an incurable blood cancer. As a practitioner & coach of mind body medicine (and yoga instructor) I have personally experienced how powerful our daily practices and lifestyle can be in optimizing our sense of well-being and inner peace-especially while facing the many challenges and uncertainties of a cancer diagnosis. I have had the honor of sharing these practices with many cancer patients and others dealing with adversity and have witnesses the life changing results of developing a tool box of healthy coping strategies within a “safe circle of support.” Going through a cancer diagnosis is, no doubt, scary and can feel very lonely. My hope is to help any Myeloma patient I can through their journey; emotionally, physically, spiritually and in any way I can to help empower him or her through the process. Whether they want to laugh, cry, ask questions or compare notes, I want to support myeloma patients in navigating their needs and to never feel alone in doing so.

Ana Rocha

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

Hello I'm a Portuguese woman. I'm 53 years old and I was diagnosed with myeloma (non-secretory) in July 2021. I went to the hospital with a lot of back pain and I couldn't move my right arm anymore and I could barely walk. As soon as I was diagnosed, I started doing the 1st chemotherapy on my birthday, 08/30/2021. I was hospitalized for 8 months. 3 of which I couldn't move and then I went to the long term care and started physical therapy and started walking. I've already had 2 autologous transplants and I'm currently in remission with suspected MRD+. In Portugal, MRD is not evaluated.