Martha Commesse

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

My husband was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma High risk last year 2024. He is currently 75 years old and he is on remission after SCT We choose MD Anderson Hospital in Houston Texas for treatment. I learned with this experience that every decision we made was important to evaluate it carefully and that we also needed it to become our own Advocates I realized very soon that we were lacking something very important: “knowledgment about this desease” Through my life I have heard a phrase that makes sense now: “obtaining education it’s important, but more important it is, from whom you are getting it” Fortunately we found out about Health Tree Foundation. I will like to become a coach to help others go through this journey and to keep continually educating myself .

patrick gorman

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

Myeloma comes as something of a shock to all of us. Having someone to talk with who isn't emotionally attached to would have helped me; I've been there and can provide a listening ear and encouraging voice. I've been married 48 years, with 2 children and 2 grandchildren, all of whom I'm grateful to be part of. I'm retired military, and a retired scientist and engineer. I retired when diagnosed with smouldering myeloma in 2014. I enjoy backpacking, volunteering, teaching, mentoring and missionary work. I was diagnosed with myeloma in 2024 with follow-on radiation, chemo, and bone marrow transplant (ASCT). I'm recovering this year, and learning to be more patient. Working with others helps me learn more and feel like I'm contributing; I look forward to hearing from you; please text or message me, as you wish, and we'll decide how best to communicate.

Mary Sage

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

Let's Chat! One time or more, I am here for you at whatever level needed. I enjoy texting and email and if desired a phone call or we can set up a FaceTime call. Mary Sage lives with her husband Michael who is her primary caregiver and is also himself a coach, her adult son Raymond, who is a secondary caregiver in the home, and 2 dogs, Stella and Jake. She lives in the Pacific Northwest region on an island accessible only by a ferry. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 IgG Lambda in November 2015 and placed on immediate disability due to spinal fractures, severe pain, and limited mobility. Like many others, prior to diagnosis, she experienced years of bizarre blood results and chronic back pain that was becoming increasingly debilitating. Mary had a stem cell harvest in 2016 and a stem cell transplant in 2019 and received 2 years of a strong response until her second relapse. In the past year she has become non-secretory, so her team uses new pain levels or increased pain levels to indicate tests that need to be run. PET scan and BMB are the primary tests used to track changes to her MM. Mary has been on 5 different protocols and treatments, has become refractory to 2 treatments and her record for using any one protocol seems to be 2 years then a change is investigated. Currently, her bloodwork shows standard risk MM; her MRD is positive with 5 parts per million. Her present maintenance treatment is Pomalyst (May, 2022). After 1 year on KPd, Mary's MM markers are now in range and she is able to say she is in a clinical remission - this is her year to move about more freely (although still cautiously) and enjoy a few more activities not afforded when her blood work showed progression. Mary is also trained in Hospice and grief support (since 2004). Mary welcomes any who might need Hospice Support for their journey or their loved ones. This work is done remotely and can include FaceTime or phone calls or any other modality as needed/desired. It is an honor to walk this journey with you during this challenging time.