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.

Linda Carvalho

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I’m 75 years old and was diagnosed after suffering a TGA (Transient Global Amnesia) attack 3/17/21. My blood work and CAT scan were abnormal, so a hematologist/oncologist insisted I come to his office for more tests the following week. My timeline: officially diagnosed 4/5/21; treatment began 4/22/21 (RVd + DaraFaspro+Xgeva); stem cell transplant 4/7/22 and maintenance therapy started 7/28/22 (Lenalidomide+DaraFaspro+Zometa). I have been progression-free for 2+ years, although not yet MRD- (23 cells/1,000,000) My myeloma specialist is at Mt. Sinai’s Myeloma Center for Excellence in NYC (where I had my transplant) and I receive my maintenance therapy from my local oncologist in Toms River, New Jersey. My husband, adult children, grandchildren, family and friends (and my dog!) provide ongoing love and support in a variety of ways. I read and listen to webinars and podcasts to educate myself on an ongoing basis, since the treatment options for myeloma continue to change and improve. I have learned to adapt to the side effects: fatigue, GI issues, neuropathy, sleep issues. I'm at the gym 5 days/week, lifting heavier weights than I did prior to diagnosis. In addition, I'm an avid reader, gardener and emergency babysitter for my grandchildren. I’m grateful I continue to respond to treatment and able to not let cancer define who I am.

Mark Bastian

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

My name is Mark, I am 65 years old. My husband Rodd & I live in San Miguel de Allende MX. In April 2022 I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma by my doctor here in Mexico. Went through 4 months of treatment. In August of 2022, we traveled to Nashville TN to the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute to begin the process of Stem Cell Transplant. September 2nd I had my transplant. We stayed in Nashville to the beginning of October. We then traveled back to San Miguel. I am happy to report my transplant was a success. I am cancer cell free & myeloma free. Back at the gym, back to cooking & baking that I love so much. My background is in the baking industry. My life today is better than I could have imagined a year ago. Yes, I am a bit slower, do experience some back issues but it's nothing compared to where I was. I am so grateful for today. My husband Rodd just came back from a 6 week, 7,635 mile tour of the US. We called it "Remission Tour 2023". We visited family, my children & our grandsons. It was truly wonderful and beat expectation. Plus, I felt great on this trip. We met with my doctors in Nashville as well for a follow up great lab results. Having Multiple Myeloma was not easy, some of the worst days in my life. I am so grateful for the great doctors, nurses who treated me, the love and support I received from friends & family, mostly from the care I received from my husband Rodd. Could not have walked through this without him. When I found out I had Multiple Myeloma I void I would remain positive as possible, take this serious, ask for help, keep a sense of humor. All this help me in so many ways.