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FAQ for Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients
FAQ for Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients  image
Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Chapter
event Jan 21, 2021 / 11:00AM - 12:00PM MST

Event Description

Were you diagnosed with multiple myeloma in the years 2020 or 2021? If so, join us for the launch of our Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patients Chapter. Hear from a panel of veteran multiple myeloma patients about their experience and let them answer the questions you have. While everyone's experience with myeloma is different, we can help each other through the journey. This is a Google Meet Meeting. This means that we will have a virtual face to face discussion. You can still join even if you don't have a Gmail account if you use a laptop or desktop computer. If you have a Gmail account and are joining by Ipad or laptop, please make sure you have downloaded the Google Meet App from the App Store. If at any point you run into problems, please email audrey@healthtree.org and we will try to help you troubleshoot and join our meeting! Thank you.

Schedule & Agenda

person
Introductions
11:00AM
Audrey Burton-Bethke
The purpose of the Newly Diagnosed Myeloma Patient Chapter will be introduced, as well as Myeloma Community Manager, Audrey Burton-Bethke. 
person
Myeloma Patient Panel Introductions
11:05AM
Sally, Marty, and Jeff
Each member of our Myeloma Patient Panel will introduce themselves and share their myeloma journey with us.   
person
Questions and Answers
11:20AM
Audience
Ask questions to our panel, share experiences, and let's learn from one another.   

Speakers & Moderators

The panelist Audrey Burton-Bethke
Audrey Burton-Bethke

Audrey joined the Myeloma Crowd as the Community Manager in 2020 after previously working in the nonprofit field for 4 years as a director of Fundraising and Development. She graduated from BYU with a major in Spanish and Nonprofit Management. Audrey is passionate about serving others, loves learning, and enjoys a nice mug of hot chocolate no matter the weather.

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The panelist Sally Torgeson
Sally Torgeson

Luckily, I was diagnosed with lambda light chain MM almost by accident. My orthopedic surgeon discovered bone “nibbling” after a CT scan after complaining of shin splints for over two months. I am a 75-year-old widow living in Santa Barbara. After induction and an SCT, I am in stringent complete response (SCR) and MRD. In my previous life, after college and a dual degree in biology and chemistry, I have been an IBM programmer, purchasing agent for a government contractor, Director of Materiel of a large international manufacturing company, and later Vice President of Operations for same. I thrive on information and research. I want to know why, how, and when for most problems presented to me. I enjoy charts, graphs, and writing project directed articles. For fun, especially now during my second year in lockdown, I enjoy reading and baking (new love) and preparing things I have never tried before. My neighbors and friends now ask what’s next as I don’t usually eat what I bake – I’d be as big as an elephant. I’ve enjoyed my introduction to the Myeloma Crowd (or Care Hub) as it is a vehicle for my own advocacy as well as education.

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The panelist Marty Singer
Marty Singer

I was diagnosed with MM in Nov of 2015. Lesions had formed on my spine and I fractured a vertebra along with spinal compression. I had my stem cells harvested in December of the same year in preparation for my 1st SCT which took place in June of 2016. I went into remission and my Oncologist had recommended that I have a 2nd SCT.  Since I was already in remission, I did not want to have a second one. After many discussions with him and members of my medical team, I had my 2nd SCT in January of 2017. The 2nd SCT was much easier to tolerate and it drove me into deep remission which is where I've been ever since. I follow all the instructions set forth by my medical team and I'm feeling great! I do suffer from neuropathy which is a common side effect of chemo and I have constant pain from the cracked vertebrae. I am able to get around without any assistance but I do keep a cane in my car.

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The panelist Jeff Adamson
Jeff Adamson

Soon to be 66 years old. Diagnosed with MM and Chronic Kidney Disease in July of 2016. I went through induction therapy starting in August of 2016, then had my stem cells harvested in early December of that year. I had a successful Stem Cell Transplant at Dana Farber in January of 2017. I have been on Revlimid and Velcade maintenance since May of 2017 but recently switched out Velcade for Ninlaro. I am currently MRD negative. Prior to getting MM I was sales manager for a small tooling distributor and enjoyed traveling around the country working with customers. I retired in the fall of 2018 to care for my wife who had been diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer. I have 2 adult sons, one is a student and lives at home, the other is an underwriter and lives about 90 minutes away. I enjoy making music, playing golf, and hiking with my dog Moose. I got involved with the coaching program a couple of years ago because I really wanted to give back to the Myeloma Community. When I was first diagnosed I was so overwhelmed and didn’t know where to turn to for information or support. Eventually I found The Myeloma Crowd by HealthTree and got the information and support I so needed. I want to make sure anyone with Multiple Myeloma has someone to turn to for help and guidance or just to talk about their journey.

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Have Any Questions?

Thank you for your interest in the event. If you have any questions, we would love to help!

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