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.

Jessie Daw

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma in late 2016, after a few years of having increasing severe respiratory infections every 2-3 months. I live in South Dakota, and see a local onc/hem doctor quarterly, with one of those quarterly visits replaced by a trip to Mayo Rochester to see a specialist. I considered some clinical trials early on in my diagnosis, but haven't entered one. My numbers have remained pretty stable since diagnosis. Recently, I went through full work-up for amyloidosis, and that was negative :-). I changed some things in my life in the year after diagnosis, including leaving my job and focusing on quality of life issues. In that respect, this diagnosis has been a blessing. Of course, I'd rather not have the diagnosis, but it spurred some changes that I don't think I would have made otherwise, and I feel like my life is richer because of those changes. I have become involved in patient advocacy, as I started South Dakota's first myeloma support group. I also have participated in an MMRF Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma event, and I really enjoy serving as a Myeloma Coach. I value the time I get to connect with others who have myeloma. We all have our challenges, and connecting with others around those challenges, as well as the good things in our lives, is really meaningful.

Dorian Soper

multiple myeloma coach since 2024

Hi! My name is Dorian Soper. I am a 73 yr old female and, NO, I no longer ski! Dx in December of 2020 with Smoldering MM, borderline stage 1 at start of study (R-ISS.) IGG Lambda ,1Q,11:14 (15%.) Pet scan, bone survey neg; no renal involvement. Started 24 month clinical trial in Feb, 2021: Dara, Revlimid and Dex. Completed study in December, 2022. Partial response. Done at UofMich. Presently, I am not taking any MM meds and see my oncologist every month after blood screening. My M-protein is creeping up slowly and I am presently at 1.02. My other labs are normal. I always say that I am "flying under the radar" right now, and am very grateful to be doing so. I am feeling pretty well, overall, but have osteo arthritis, neuropathy, and fatigue. I work on Tuesdays in a Cardiology office and perform their Myocardial Perfusion Imaging, as I am a Nuclear Med. Tech. I am on my feet all day for and LOVE it. I am also a potter/ceramicist and take classes all day on Thursday, which I also love. I have a studio in the lower level of my home. I also have three lovely and lively granddaughters whom I see quite frequently and babysit often. I remarried , after 30 yrs as an only parent, in November of 2019. So, you see, I am very brave! I (we) have a very good life and I am an eternal optimist and very much a realist. I would like to be coach. Because of Healhtre.org, I have been able to learn SO much about Myeloma! Healthtree is such a fabulous resource in every way. I would like to steer new patients to this website whenever possible! Thank you, Dorian Soper