The Power of Mindset: A Myeloma Patient Story

David Perez was shocked when, after a routine physical, abnormal blood lab results were discovered. At only forty years old, and with no known cancer diagnoses within his family history, David knew this was life-changing information. 

His original hematologist had no idea what it could be. When she suggested further investigation from a specialist, David's wife Casandra immediately set up an appointment at the Sylvester Cancer Comprehensive Center with Dr. James Hoffman, who promptly diagnosed David with multiple myeloma after a bone marrow biopsy and standard myeloma labs. 

It was then that David found out myeloma is considered an occupational cancer, meaning that first responders (such as firefighters that responded to 9/11) are being diagnosed at higher rates than other careers. Having been a firefighter for over 15 years, David wondered why this hadn't ever been spoken about before. 

David realized the fatigue that he had been experiencing wasn't just due to 100-hour work weeks (on top of being a firefighter, he was also helping with the family landscaping business), or the fact that he had two young kids. He had cancer, and now decisions needed to be made. 

He began to make significant lifestyle changes. David did research on the best diet and decided to go entirely plant-based. He increased his fruit and vegetable intake, incorporating sauna use, and joined a Facebook group of myeloma patients trying naturopathic approaches to help fight the myeloma. His physical fitness also increased. 

Not only did David improve his physical habits through diet and exercise, but he also worked to change his mental and emotional wellness through meditation, visualizations, and changing his mindset. 

David reminded himself that he was still relatively healthy, despite his myeloma diagnosis. He was willing to control what was in his control and listen to his physicians about the best treatments. 

He started with 12 months of KRd (carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone). After two rough days of side effects, David would then exercise on the third day. Health and fitness were at the forefront of his mind every single day. He knew that mindset was the key to dealing with not only the symptoms but also the psychological burdens of the diagnosis. 

After his year of continuous therapy, he began maintenance therapy. Up until this point, he had kept his diagnosis a secret. Even those close to David (including his children and fellow firefighters) didn't know the battle he had been facing for the last twelve months.

It wasn't until the Miami Dolphins hosted their Dolphins Challenge Cancer Fundraiser, in which his firefighter squad dressed in their gear and walked the 5k course, that David realized he wasn't alone. The experience was life-changing and made him realize that as he told people who loved him about his diagnosis, the more support he had in his community. Perhaps more importantly, the wider his impact would be to help others. 

Since that day, David has been publicly sharing the power of a positive mindset with a cancer diagnosis. 

While this doesn't mean that every moment along your myeloma journey is going to be butterflies and rainbows, it does mean that you build the mental resilience to "face death" and take control of that which you can control. 

This mental power has allowed David to start a nonprofit called the Tiny Hero Foundation, an organization that raises funds for the children of fallen first responders and is starting a mentoring program. It also has allowed him to speak publicly about his cancer, including a social media account in which he shares about getting physically and mentally fit with a terminal diagnosis. 

It also prepared him for the unexpected, a second cancer diagnosis in addition to the multiple myeloma. Two years after his initial myeloma diagnosis, David was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma. He had to stop all myeloma treatment to start mantle cell treatment, which began tolerably but later became brutal. His lymphoma specialists are now recommending he have an allo transplant, with his sister as a perfect-match donor. 

While life isn't easy for David and his family, they remain grateful. David's smile is bright, and he tells everyone he feels better than before he was diagnosed (apart from those initial days of treatment side effects each cycle). 

When I asked David what advice he would give the myeloma community, he shared, 

"Believe in yourself! Believe in the power of the mind. Set it in your head that you feel good. Live your life the best you can because none of this knows when it could be over."

David has accepted a new position in which he coordinates with firefighters and hospitals in his region to spread awareness about occupational cancers for firefighters and encourages them not to take their health for granted. What a way to share this newfound power with others!

If you are looking for emotional or mental support, join our HealthTree Coach program. 

Want to read more myeloma patient experiences? Check them out here: Myeloma Patient Stories

If you're ready to make significant changes in your life, read this article for tips to help make it happen: Finding Strength in Positive Thinking