Melissa Rosenbauer

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

HOLA! I am Melissa Rosenbauer, an American living in Spain with my German husband, Thomas Bossert, who has multiple myeloma. Together, we have made it through the toughest year of our lives when Thomas (55) was diagnosed with MM in February 2022. But now we are on the other side and I am excited to help guide YOU through all that we've learned so you too can get to the other side of this. As a caretaker, I can speak to some specific areas of MM: - navigating care outside the US (specifically in the Spanish public system) - kidney failure and dialysis (Thomas was on dialysis for 4 months at diagnosis) - quad induction therapy (VRD plus Daratumamab) - strange side effects like hiccups - stem cell transplant - how to seek out and ask for help from friends & neighbors I am a happy, upbeat, positive person who chose to take this journey with love, understanding & acceptance. Yes, I've been through all the stages of grief at Thomas's diagnosis, but I've always tried to stay optimistic throughout. And this was in part with the help of HealthTree's coach program. Thomas & I connected with our coaches, Tad & Maci, very early on and they were with us every step of the way. I'd like to be with YOU every step of the way. From our experience, we know it's important to connect with people who are in similar circumstances, so I'll tell you a little bit more about me: I'm 45 years old, we do not have children (but one 4-legged fur baby, Lola!!) and I work as a textile & interior designer. I speak English, Spanish and German (I prefer English as my native tongue, but can help guide you in Spanish as well). I hope with my experience, we can find a connection and I can help you in YOUR journey. Let's get started and through this together!!

Richard Armstrong

multiple myeloma coach since 2022

Great Glorious Day! My name is Richard Armstrong. Some have nicknamed me "Riccardo". I wish that you have wellness, safety, joy, strength, fortitude, plus resolve, such to live awesome, happy, fulfilling days: despite any challenges faced. I'm incredibly fortunate to have survived a high level of Kappa MM after a very delayed diagnosed in May 2021. For several months previous to my diagnosis, I'd had increasing spinal discomfort after daily activities. This escalated to literally 'wanting to jump out of a window to make it stop' level pain. Because I'd suffered a back injury that required a body cast back in 1991, I assumed the combination of old injury, plus age to be the cause. However increasingly, I'd also developed concurrent increasing symptoms of shortness of breath, fatigue, plus urinary distress. Unfortunately difficulty obtaining treatment during the height of the Covid pandemic, plus especially my decade of neglect to get annual physicals with bloodwork manifested a very late diagnosis and circumstance that I almost did not survive. When finally diagnosed in the Emergency Room, I had Kappa Lightchains over 43,000... that caused near fatal kidney damage... which required an 8-day admission to save my life, plus kidneys. Thanks to excellent treatment since May 2021... including emergency Plasmapheresis, Velcade, Dexamethazone, Revlimid, Daratumamab, Cyclophosphamide, an Auto Stem Cell Transplant, Spine Surgery, plus currently undergoing a two-Year Clinical Trial Maintenance Therapy -w- Dara + Revlimid... I'm now in remission and able to live comfortably well. Something that I definitely could have never imagined on the day of my diagnosis: after being advised of my maladies. I'm so glad to be alive, grateful for an amazing care team, unwavering support from family and friends, plus wonderful coaches, thankful for the awesome HealthTree... along with the International Myeloma Foundation... and am here to assist in any way... 😇 The takeaways that I hope come from my story, plus experiences are: 1) Commit to obtaining annual physicals with bloodwork. Doing so can allow for early diagnosis, early treatment + a better outcome! 2) If diagnosed with any disease... but especially Myeloma... seek a specialist and the best ones possible. Tremendously skilled Kidney + Myeloma Specialists are the only reason why I'm living to write this. Great care teams first saved me & my kidneys, then "threaded the needle" to get me into remission... as quickly, but gently... as was possible. Miracles can happen! 3) I find it helpful to connect with others as much as possible. I'm forever grateful for / to some fantastic HealthTree Coaches! Just fantastic people who've informed me, supported me & modeled how to live courageously, optimally well + plus with high spirits: despite our tough diagnosis, circumstances & challenges. Lastly: This day we have. Let's focus such to make the very most of each one: to the best of our capabilities. THEN do it again tomorrow! Feel free to reach out... 😉

Laurie C

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

I am a 60 year old female who was diagnosed with high risk [t(4,14)] IgG Lambda light chain Multiple Myeloma on Nov 1, 2021 after a tumor in my spine cracked my T4. I had 4 cycles of KRd, then an autologous stem cell transplant mid June 2022. I resumed treatment September '22: on Revlimid 10 mg daily and Velcade 100 mg 2 x per month. I am just changing to Revlimid 5 mg + Velcade 2x monthly due to bad headaches and blurry vision. I also got shots of Xgeva once every 3 months for bone strength, this is now being changed to every month. I can talk to people about life hacks for a successful autologous stem cell transplant. I can talk about life after the transplant and the many dietary changes and lifestyle that I have made since being diagnosed. I read all of the Myeloma Research that I can find. I am still working. I would like to bring kindness and support to the lives of those diagnosed with Myeloma. WAYS I CAN BE HELPFUL: tips on having a great bone marrow transplant; how to prepare questions to discuss with your doctor, how to help yourself heal through diet, music, exercise, reading and love. Understanding blood test changes. I can support patients in English and in French. I AM A FINANCIAL COACH FOR ALL BLOOD CANCER PATIENTS. My email is HEALINGMYELOMA@GMAIL.com I AM NOT THE BEST RESOURCE FOR: discussing issues related to end of life, grief management, palliative care, prognosis, etc. I am not knowledgeable about anything related to insurance issues and or the health insurance appeal process. healingmyeloma@gmail.com IS MY EMAIL healingmyeloma.blogspot.com IS MY BLOG I love coaching, so please reach out. Wishing peace and love to all.