Brice Davis was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in his early thirties. Today, he is sharing his story with HealthTree to highlight that blood cancers can affect people at many different stages of life. He hopes to raise awareness of myeloma and encourage others facing a diagnosis to keep moving forward.
Multiple myeloma can affect younger adults
Multiple myeloma is a blood cancer that begins in plasma cells, a type of white blood cell found in the bone marrow. It is often thought of as a disease that affects older adults, but it can also occur in younger people.
As myeloma cells grow, they crowd out healthy blood cells and can damage the bones, kidneys, and immune system. Symptoms may develop gradually. This along with the fact that it is most common in older people can make myeloma difficult to recognize at first. Being diagnosed with cancer at a young age also creates unique challenges such as interruption to careers, family life, and plans for the future.
Brice’s symptoms became impossible to ignore
For years, Brice had experienced bone pain and fatigue, weight loss, poor appetite, and difficulty breathing. At first, he did not realize these symptoms were signs of blood cancer.
As his condition worsened, everyday tasks became increasingly difficult. Eventually, he became so weak that he could no longer hold his one-year-old daughter.
In November 2021, after bloodwork and additional testing, Brice was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Like many patients, Brice had never even heard of myeloma before learning he had it himself.
Treatment helped Brice regain strength
Brice began treatment with chemotherapy to control the cancer. Later, he underwent an autologous stem cell transplant, an important treatment option for many that can help achieve a deeper response. Since his transplant, Brice’s myeloma has been controlled with maintenance therapy with lenalidomide (Revlimid).
Family support made a difference
During treatment, Brice’s family stepped in to help care for his young daughter. Their support allowed him to focus on his recovery while knowing his family was being cared for.
Looking back, Brice says his diagnosis also changed how he viewed himself. Before cancer, he didn’t realize how strong he could be. Going through treatment showed him a different side of himself. He discovered a level of resilience he never knew he had.
Turning his experience into hope for others
Writing became an important outlet throughout Brice’s cancer journey. For Brice, it was a way to process difficult emotions, reflect on his experiences, and share hope with others.
His passion for writing eventually led him to publish a book inspired by his journey called Rise Anyway: A Memoir of Survival, Fatherhood, and Becoming.
Today, Brice continues to share his story to help others facing myeloma. He wants people who are newly diagnosed to know they are stronger than they may realize and that, even during the hardest moments, it is possible to overcome challenges and continue moving forward.
Through sharing his experience, Brice hopes to raise awareness of multiple myeloma so that more people recognize the disease and feel less alone after diagnosis.
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