Defining Herself By Her Cancer? Terry Glassman’s Journey with Myeloma and Plasma Cell Leukemia

When Terry Glassman was diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia (PCL) in November 2022, her life turned upside down in an instant. PCL is a rare and aggressive form of multiple myeloma, and Terry's initial internet searches only amplified the fear and uncertainty. 

Words like “prognosis without treatment is two months” stuck with her, leaving her paralyzed with dread. But Terry’s story isn’t about despair—it’s about seeking learning and finding purpose even in the darkest moments.

Could This Really Be Happening? 

Terry’s diagnosis came at a time when she was already emotionally drained. She had just returned from helping provide hospice care for and mourn the loss of her mother, an excruciatingly painful experience when Terry received the plasma cell leukemia diagnosis. The lab results appeared on her phone before her doctor even called her. She still remembers standing in her kitchen, looking at her phone, unable to believe what she saw. 

The news felt unbearable. And then, after a memorial service for her mother, she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

There she found herself, processing a grim diagnosis, completely isolated and feeling physically drained and depleted. Those first days were filled with fear, necessary isolation, and overwhelming anxiety. Fragmented healthcare communication also added to the difficulty of navigating her new reality.

As a nurse, Terry had the knowledge and resources to advocate for herself, but even then, the process was a struggle. She found solace when she connected with specialists at Mount Sinai, like Dr. Sundar Jagannath, who offered her not just expertise but a sense of empowerment and hope.

Defining Herself Through Cancer

They say “don’t let your cancer define you”, but how can it not? 

It is life-changing, especially if you have a serious cancer that (for now) is considered incurable. So for now, I let my cancer define me. 

~it defines me as a warrior~

~it defines me as a student with much to learn~

~it defines me as empathetic~ 

~it defines me as tenacious~ 

~it defines me as caring, and loving, and giving~ 

You can let cancer define you, just don’t let it destroy you! 

That poem, written by Terry, came one year after that initial diagnosis and period of fear. During these formative years, Terry has transformed her experience into one of strength and purpose. 

She has found a caring medical team that can stay on top of the latest trends in PCL and myeloma care and explain treatment options to her. She has thrown herself into education, learning all she can about PCL and meeting others who were experiencing the same thing. She also recently started a support group for others with multiple myeloma, helping patients in her community and beyond feel less alone. She is also a Coach for fellow myeloma patients and a patient advocate for clinical trials.

The advice she shares with others as they begin this impossible journey, and live with their diagnoses, is simple but powerful:

• See a specialist. Expertise can (and will) make all the difference.
• Reach out. When you’re ready, connecting with others who have walked the same road can bring clarity and comfort.
• Advocate for yourself. The healthcare system can be difficult to navigate, but being informed and persistent can improve your experience.
• Keep living. “You learn to live with cancer, not die from it,” she emphasizes.

For healthcare providers, Terry offers this perspective at appointment time: “Remember, for you, it might be another day; for us, it’s the most important 15 minutes of our year. To you, we are patients; to us, you are our lifeline.”

The Journey of Care

Terry’s treatment journey reflects the complexities of living with a rare and aggressive cancer. From induction therapy (Dara-RVD) to MRD-negative results in June 2023, her path has been anything but linear. She experienced complications, adjusted medications, and faced the emotional toll of difficult decisions—such as forgoing a stem cell transplant in favor of drug therapy.

Through it all, Terry credits her care team, particularly Dr. Jagannath and Dr. Chad Robertson, for providing her with not just treatment but hope. “Having the right care team matters,” she explains. “It’s not always sunshine and rainbows, but their expertise gives me the strength to believe I can get through this.”

Getting Honest About Living with Cancer 

As expressed in the earlier poem, for Terry, living with cancer isn’t about ignoring its presence—it’s about learning to coexist with it. She still wakes up every morning, wishing it would get easier. She focuses on what she can control, like empowering herself with knowledge, and accepts what she cannot. Her family, friends, work, and hobbies—like photography and travel—help her stay grounded.

Terry is also deeply honest about the emotional toll cancer takes. “The diagnosis took the light-heartedness from me,” she shares. “It’s hard not to compare my life to what it might have been without this disease.” Despite this, she finds purpose in helping others and imagining a future where she continues to make a difference.

Continuing with Courage 

Terry’s ongoing story is a testament to the power of community and knowledge. 

By sharing her story, she hopes to inspire others to find their own strength and to remind healthcare providers of the human stories behind the diagnoses. 

As Terry continues her fight, she remains a beacon of hope for others, proving that even in the face of the most aggressive challenges, there is room for light, learning, and love.

To read more patient experiences like Terry’s, explore our Myeloma Patient Stories and Experiences articles.