Margo Holleran

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

I was diagnosed with MM IgG Kappa on October 12th 2017 after 6 months of numerous sinus and bladder infections. A knowledgable nurse practitioner and radiologist took the time to understand my issues and infections. I followed their advice of a CT scan to rule out kidney stones and acquired additional blood work. My PCP ruled out multiple myeloma, had additional blood work suggested by the radiologist that viewed my scans. I went to see a hematologist-oncologist who suggested a 24 hour urine test and additional MM panel. Bloodwork came back, Mspike of 3.14, I had a bone marrow biopsy on September 29th, 2017. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with IgG Kappa MM. Started RVd right away, went into complete remission, although the Velcade gave me horrible neuropathy. I am being treated at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, second opinion Dana Farber. I still continued to work full time in medical device cardiac surgery sales and finally took off 3 months to become a patient and sought additional treatment for my neuropathy. Took one year off of treatment to give my neuropathy a rest, it came back with a vengeance. I went back on Revlimid and dexamethasone, neuropathy continued to get worse, switched to Pomalyst and Darzalex, went back into complete remission. Currently on maintenance Darzalex every 6 weeks as a monotherapy. COVID vaccines X5 I worked full time for 6 yrs. I was a sales Director for a Vascular & Cardiac Surgery. Now semi-retired except for my advocacy work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and The International Myeloma Foundation, and HealthTree Foundation. Current Status: MRD negative I am now a Board Certified patient Advocate and have my certification in non profit management. I also have a certification in cannabis horticulture & business. I believe humor is the cure for all that ails. I started an irreverent cancer blog called www.cathychemo.org Please feel free to contact me at margoholleran@gmail.com

Susana Vivares

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma in 2019. After much reading and research, I decided to go for ASCT on 10/2022; all went well. Currently, I am under maintenance with Pomalyst low dose. I continue to educate myself about everything concerning MM. It is an endless task, but one I embrace with optimism because of all the medical progress in treating MM.

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.