Ana Rocha

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

Hello I'm a Portuguese woman. I'm 53 years old and I was diagnosed with myeloma (non-secretory) in July 2021. I went to the hospital with a lot of back pain and I couldn't move my right arm anymore and I could barely walk. As soon as I was diagnosed, I started doing the 1st chemotherapy on my birthday, 08/30/2021. I was hospitalized for 8 months. 3 of which I couldn't move and then I went to the long term care and started physical therapy and started walking. I've already had 2 autologous transplants and I'm currently in remission with suspected MRD+. In Portugal, MRD is not evaluated.

Kenny Capps

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2015. After decades as an athlete of questionable ability (and a writer and business owner of dubious intelligence), cancer changed my perspective. I focused on quality-of-life solutions. After a bone marrow transplant, I focused on distance running, cycling, and swimming once again. I discovered a coping mechanism and a way to combat pain, fatigue, and treatment side effects through purposeful movement and (mostly) focused nutrition. In 2018 I ran across North Carolina on the Mountains to Sea trail. I ran 1,175 miles in 54 days averaging 22 miles a day while undergoing maintenance chemotherapy. Today, I am still fighting cancer with daily chemotherapy and still training for ultramarathons and epic adventures. I am the Executive Director for Cancer Active, Inc. (throwing-bones.org), whose mission is to encourage all blood cancer patients to stay healthy and active through treatment. I was educated at the University of Georgia (AB), the University of Denver (JD) and I am currently a candidate for Masters at of Public Health at the University of North Carolina. I have three children, ages 23, 20, and 11 (as of 2024). I advocate for all individuals living with cancer, and want to encourage you all to keep moving forward. Every day is another opportunity to take a step. Being active is one of the ways to stay ahead of life and to enjoy it more.

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.