Rick Miller

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

I was diagnosed with IgD multiple myeloma on April 11 2022 at the age of 58. Mine was caught via CT scan because of the extreme pain in my chest and back. I was hospitalized with kidney failure due to hypercalcemia 3 weeks later. While hospitalized they realized that my bones were so degraded that I needed rods put in each femor and 16 screws in my hips and pelvis to prevent them from breaking. I recieved Valcade, Darselex, dex, a stem cell transplant, Revlimid, pomalidomide, Kyprolis, Cytoxan and Car-T cell treatment with Carvykti. My stem cell transplant took place in August of 2022 and it lasted 18 months. I received several of the therapies listed above until I received Carvykti in August of 2024 and was MRD negative at 10^-6 through Adaptive Biotechnologies by October of 2024. I am feeling great, cancer free and not on any maintenance. I also had Ulcerative Colitis when I was diagnosed and one of the side effects of the stem cell transplant was that I was cured of that disease.

Ryan Bleich

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

I was diagnosed in October of 2023 after a bout of Pneumonia followed by a broken arm from slipping when I was getting on an exercise bike. I've always been a health conscious person, so this was a shock to me. Because of certain cytogenetic abnormalities I am considered a High-Risk patient which means they watch me more carefully. After successful induction therapy followed by a autologous stem-cell, I am MRD negative and living my normal life which includes my two young children aged 5 and 6. I go to MSK in NYC and Long Island where they have been absolutely amazing. I hope I can help other newly diagnosed patients move forward in their journey by providing as much experience and motivation as possible.

Harvey Church

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

I was diagnosed in May of 2021. I discovered a tumor on my right femur. After several other test I discovered I had swine additional lesions and was diagnosed with MM. I selected UAMS in Little Rock as my main treatment center. Dr Fritts VanRhee. Shortly after surgery to remove the tumor I started treatment. 2 rounds of VDT- Pace. At the beginning of my evaluation my FIsH test revealed I had 4/14 and chromosome 1q deletion 1p. Then on to 2 stem cell transplants. I completed all yhese treatments by 2/2022. On 2/17/22 I was considered in remission. Maintenance through 2022 was carfilzomib, Revlimid and Dex. Levels climbed in 23 so I switched to Darzalex Faspro. During second round of treatment I developed a tumor on my jaw. This tumor progressed to 5 cm over the next few months. My doctor decided to do stem cell #3. It basically didn’t work and the tumor continued to grow. Out next step was bio-specific (teclistamab). I started this treatment in the fall of 2023. After a few weeks my jaw tumor was gone and my levels were considered at complete response. I have maintained these levels for 6 month. All is good so far with the teclistamab. I have been amazed at my progress. While some of the treatment have been short lived the bio specific drugs have shown great promise. I live outside of Nashville so my local treatment center is Sarah Cannon. Dr Jesus Berdeja is my oncologist here in Nashville. Both Dr VanRhee and Dr Berdeja are amazing and have taken great care of me. On the personal side-I have been married to my wife Carol for 36 years. I have two grown children and three grandchildren. I have worked as a banker for 38 years. In December I retired as president and Chief Operating Officer of TriStar Bank. I will continue to serve on the banks board after my retirement. My family enjoys spending time at our lake house. My hobbies are mostly related to lake life.