Navigating Myeloma in a World Moving on from COVID
Whether we are ready or not, as the world moves on from the last two years of COVID restrictions, life becomes a little more complicated for multiple myeloma patients and their families. Let's talk about how to balance safety precautions with quality of life. This will be a patient to patient (or caregiver to caregiver) discussion and not one size will fit all when it comes to different safety approaches. However, we hope this event will serve to validate feelings and acknowledge how complicated this time might be for immunocompromised patients and their families.
Audrey Burton-Bethke
Audrey joined the HealthTree Foundation as the Myeloma Community Program Director in 2020. While not knowing much about myeloma at the start, she has since worked hard to educate herself, empathize and learn from others' experiences. She loves this job. Audrey is passionate about serving others, loves learning, and enjoys a nice mug of hot chocolate no matter the weather.
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.
Novlette Griffin
She was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2016, also had her stem cell transplant the same year, so far she is still in remission and has been on Revlimid 10mg as maintenance. She has a very supportive husband and family which makes her journey much easier. She loves helping others while on their journey. She can support you with emotional, spiritual, or just someone to talk to. She continues to educate herself with information regarding MM, "we cannot have too much information regarding this disease". She believes the mind and having faith is half the battle, which has helped her on this five-year journey. She will do whatever she can to help others, so you can reach out to her.
Jennifer Littke
In February 2012 (at the age of 56), She was hospitalized with multiple compression fractures which lead to her diagnosis of kappa light chain MM. Initial treatment included Revlimid, IV-Velcade and dex, an autologous stem cell transplant followed by maintenance chemo; 14 months later she relapsed. Now what? It turned out, she was a candidate for an allogeneic stem cell transplant and by the grace of God a donor match was found. Four years after her second transplant, her myeloma returned. She is currently on Daratumumab, SQ-Velcade and methylpred - the journey continues! She is blessed and grateful for the dynamic support system she has. Her family, friends, cancer support group and medical team are the best! They continue to give her the strength and hope she need to keep moving forward.