Mary Sage

multiple myeloma coach since 2020

Let's Chat! One time or more, I am here for you at whatever level needed. I enjoy texting and email and if desired a phone call or we can set up a FaceTime call. Mary Sage lives with her husband Michael who is her primary caregiver and is also himself a coach, her adult son Raymond, who is a secondary caregiver in the home, and 2 dogs, Stella and Jake. She lives in the Pacific Northwest region on an island accessible only by a ferry. She was diagnosed with Stage 2 IgG Lambda in November 2015 and placed on immediate disability due to spinal fractures, severe pain, and limited mobility. Like many others, prior to diagnosis, she experienced years of bizarre blood results and chronic back pain that was becoming increasingly debilitating. Mary had a stem cell harvest in 2016 and a stem cell transplant in 2019 and received 2 years of a strong response until her second relapse. In the past year she has become non-secretory, so her team uses new pain levels or increased pain levels to indicate tests that need to be run. PET scan and BMB are the primary tests used to track changes to her MM. Mary has been on 5 different protocols and treatments, has become refractory to 2 treatments and her record for using any one protocol seems to be 2 years then a change is investigated. Currently, her bloodwork shows standard risk MM; her MRD is positive with 5 parts per million. Her present maintenance treatment is Pomalyst (May, 2022). After 1 year on KPd, Mary's MM markers are now in range and she is able to say she is in a clinical remission - this is her year to move about more freely (although still cautiously) and enjoy a few more activities not afforded when her blood work showed progression. Mary is also trained in Hospice and grief support (since 2004). Mary welcomes any who might need Hospice Support for their journey or their loved ones. This work is done remotely and can include FaceTime or phone calls or any other modality as needed/desired. It is an honor to walk this journey with you during this challenging time.

Margo Holleran

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

I was diagnosed with MM IgG Kappa on October 12th 2017 after 6 months of numerous sinus and bladder infections. A knowledgable nurse practitioner and radiologist took the time to understand my issues and infections. I followed their advice of a CT scan to rule out kidney stones and acquired additional blood work. My PCP ruled out multiple myeloma, had additional blood work suggested by the radiologist that viewed my scans. I went to see a hematologist-oncologist who suggested a 24 hour urine test and additional MM panel. Bloodwork came back, Mspike of 3.14, I had a bone marrow biopsy on September 29th, 2017. Two weeks later I was diagnosed with IgG Kappa MM. Started RVd right away, went into complete remission, although the Velcade gave me horrible neuropathy. I am being treated at UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, second opinion Dana Farber. I still continued to work full time in medical device cardiac surgery sales and finally took off 3 months to become a patient and sought additional treatment for my neuropathy. Took one year off of treatment to give my neuropathy a rest, it came back with a vengeance. I went back on Revlimid and dexamethasone, neuropathy continued to get worse, switched to Pomalyst and Darzalex, went back into complete remission. Currently on maintenance Darzalex every 6 weeks as a monotherapy. COVID vaccines X5 I worked full time for 6 yrs. I was a sales Director for a Vascular & Cardiac Surgery. Now semi-retired except for my advocacy work with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and The International Myeloma Foundation, and HealthTree Foundation. Current Status: MRD negative I am now a Board Certified patient Advocate and have my certification in non profit management. I also have a certification in cannabis horticulture & business. I believe humor is the cure for all that ails. I started an irreverent cancer blog called www.cathychemo.org Please feel free to contact me at margoholleran@gmail.com

Ann Chenoweth

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I was diagnosed at 64 years old in August, 2022 after my primary care physician ordered a urinalysis during my annual physical. It was abnormal and she quickly referred me to a Myeloma specialist/hematologist. I had no symptoms at all and was very active. I was surprised to say the least! I am stage 3 with high LDH and have ALL amyloidosis. I had between 50-100 bone lesions at diagnosis. My induction therapy was D-Vrd and I had to FIGHT my insurance company to pay for the Dara. They kept denying it. I worked in the healthcare industry my entire career and fortunately understand the concept of medical necessity and the denial process. My hematologist and I each wrote a letter and I appealed to the state insurance board. They overturned the denial and I was reimbursed for the entire amount I paid for Dara out-of-pocket (which was not cheap!). Now I'm on Medicare so there are different challenges to navigate! My ASCT (inpatient) was in January 2023 (MRD- after transplant) and now doing 10 mg Revlimed maintenance 28/28. Three months after starting Revlimed, I developed a horrible rash (head to toe) and discontinued Revlimed for 5 weeks which was pretty stressful. It was slowly reintroduced and I was back to my normal dose after 4 months with no side effects. My hematologist added Dara in Feb. 2024 because perivascular amyloids were present on bone marrow biopsy 1/24 (1 year post transplant) though I remain MRD-. In 12/24, my hematologist reduced my Revlimed dose to 5mg 28/28 due to consistently low ANC (I feel fine!). As of January, 2026, I am still MRD-. I’ve continued to be very active - hiking in the mountains, tennis, reformer pilates - all at the same intensity/frequency as before my diagnosis. It was important for me to stay active and I was playing tennis 5-6 weeks after ASCT. Back to league play after 2 months. I also love to travel and received approval by my hematologist to go on a planned trip to France 3 1/2 months after ASCT. I traveled to Europe three times in the first year after transplant (2023) and had 3 additional European trips in 2024 and 4 international trips in 2025 plus a few domestic trips to visit family and friends. Of course I wear an N95 mask on planes and trains. I eat out often (I hate to cook) and have had 3 instances of food poisoning since being diagnosed and was actually hospitalized 3 days in 2025 with salmonella (from poke bowl). I prefer to eat outside but when dining indoors, I ask for a table with a little extra space around it du to me being very immunocompromised. I find restaurants are very accommodating. I've received tremendous value from HealthTree coaches and I am passionate about paying it forward and want to help/support you anyway that I can in your myeloma journey. If the times I posted don’t work for you just let me know. I’m very flexible!