Jessie Daw

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

I was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma in late 2016, after a few years of having increasing severe respiratory infections every 2-3 months. I live in South Dakota, and see a local onc/hem doctor quarterly, with one of those quarterly visits replaced by a trip to Mayo Rochester to see a specialist. I considered some clinical trials early on in my diagnosis, but haven't entered one. My numbers have remained pretty stable since diagnosis. Recently, I went through full work-up for amyloidosis, and that was negative :-). I changed some things in my life in the year after diagnosis, including leaving my job and focusing on quality of life issues. In that respect, this diagnosis has been a blessing. Of course, I'd rather not have the diagnosis, but it spurred some changes that I don't think I would have made otherwise, and I feel like my life is richer because of those changes. I have become involved in patient advocacy, as I started South Dakota's first myeloma support group. I also have participated in an MMRF Moving Mountains for Multiple Myeloma event, and I really enjoy serving as a Myeloma Coach. I value the time I get to connect with others who have myeloma. We all have our challenges, and connecting with others around those challenges, as well as the good things in our lives, is really meaningful.

Eric Wolf

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

Initially, I attributed my pain and fatigue to the cumulative effects of 28 years of exercise, field work, and combat tours as a U.S. Marine. Yet, as my symptoms grew worse–debilitating back pain, a bout of pneumonia, and severe flu-like symptoms–my tough-it-out attitude gave way. An emergency room x-ray showed a collapsed T-12 vertebra. I'd been working a diplomatic assignment at the US Embassy in Mexico City. I was immediately medevaced to the Naval Hospital in San Diego. It was there, in February of 2012, at the age of 46, that I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. I never returned to Mexico and my life changed forever! After successful surgery to stabilize my spine, followed by months of physical rehabilitation, it was time to tackle multiple myeloma. Fortunately, I had a good healthcare team and they recommended the standard approach at the time: autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) followed by consolidation therapy. I struggled over the course of the next six years to keep my disease in check. I was on and off nearly every combination of proteasome inhibitor (PI) and immunomodulatory (IMiD) drug; multiple lines of therapy. Even two clinical trials. By mid 2018 I was very sick. Three times a week, I was in the cancer center, often receiving blood or plasma to keep me alive. Fortunately, I was seeing a myeloma specialist and going to a research hospital. We decided that the best approach was another transplant even though my first one never put me into remission. Using stem cells collected back in 2012, I went in for a second ASCT in Nov 2018. I am overjoyed to report that this treatment, with maintenance therapy including a monoclonal antibody, has kept driven me deeper and deeper into remission over time; at of June 2023, after 11 years, I'm Minimal Residual Disease Negative (MRD-)! In April of 2014, I retired from the Marines, and the following month my youngest son graduated from college. The month following his graduation, we started a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, from Maine to Georgia, about 2,200 miles. We hiked for five months. Who would have thought that as a myeloma survivor, I could through hike the AT!!? I don't have the strength and stamina to hike and backpack anymore, so I've taken up motorcycle touring and camping. And if I'm being honest, there are days when I struggle with identity: who am I now that I'm not the active, fit, Marine anymore? My wife and I have been married for 38 years and have four adult children and one grandchild, a seven year-old girl. My passion though, is peer mentoring myeloma patients; praying with them, sharing my experiences, and helping them navigate cancer. I have been blessed with great support over the years from my church, my family, my healthcare team, and my myeloma support group. I just hope to give a little back. This disease is tough, and riddled with decision points. There are no clear answers but what we do know is that we can live long and full lives. Myeloma does not define who we are!

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 .