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.

Carol Malicki

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

I was diagnosed with Plasmacytoma when I broke my neck skim boarding. I had surgery then radiation. The following year it was confirmed I had Multiple Myeloma at which point I started chemo pill treatment. The following year I had a stem cell transplant and did not initially go back on chemo pills. 3 years later my numbers started spiking so I went back on chemo treatment and when my numbers went way down we lowered my dose until I went off it again. Throughout this crazy journey I have made a lot of changes. I’m eating much healthier, removed toxins from my house, started exercising more and with my naturopaths guidance take a number of supplements along with my oncologist’s approval. I never suggest to anyone that they should follow my path. Everyone is unique. I do have hope but I do have to push myself and I do worry every now and then. However, I do feel strongly that a positive attitude and as healthy a life as you can manage can only help.

Joshua Dunn

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM) at the age of 34 in Sept. 2021. I was severely anemic and exhausted. I had crippling headaches. I had kidney issues and recurring acute infections. After MDs ruled out iron and B12 deficiency, GI bleeding, and infections, I needed a bone marrow biopsy to investigate further... In Guam where I live medical care is quite substandard. There is essentially no capacity to carry out autologous stem cell transplants (ASCT) in Guam and the time needed to get necessary insurance approvals and import medications would have left me dying and untreated unnecessarily. Fortunately, my sister and father live in St. Louis close to the Siteman Cancer Center, one of the best cancer centers ever with Multiple Myeloma specialists! We uprooted our lives (my wife, three young boys, and I) from Guam to St. Louis so that we could be together and support each other during induction therapy and ASCT. We were away from home for about 5 and half months living in my sister's basement while I received treatment. Indeed, it was not without significant stress on multiple levels. Today, I remain in "complete response" to my treatment and have achieved minimal residual disease (MRD) negativity at my one-year follow-up appointment. Thankfully, I am able to receive maintenance therapy (Revlimid and monthly Daratumumab injections) in Guam after much logistical arranging and advocacy. I have received a master of science degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine, I am a licensed nutritionist in Guam, and I am also a Certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach. I have been using what I have learned to mitigate treatment side effects and optimize my health in every way I possibly can, all while staying grateful for every single day. I became a HealthTree Myeloma Coach so that I can help younger patients feel supported in their myeloma journey.