I was diagnosed with MM (multiple myeloma) in March 2005. Throughout 2004 I was suffering from severe back issues. Beginning around November I was getting sick and losing energy. In March I was thought I had a flu and went to the doctor. He immediately sent me to the hospital and it took about 2 weeks of tests to diagnose I had MM. I was in kidney failure (not the flu). Through the summer I was in chemotherapy and in the fall had a stem cell bone marrow transplant. After about 4 years of dialysis it was found my kidney function returned. In 2013 my MM relapsed. This time tumors were found on my spine and resulted in my legs becoming paralyzed. I had another transplant plus radiation to shrink the tumors. It took about 18 months, but I finally got to the place where I could walk again. So far that second transplant is still holding. It's 2024 and in April I celebrated my 72 birthday. I'm still able to work effectively. I'm a piano teacher. I thank my doctors most certainly but also to the Good Lord who isn't finished with me yet. One can survive, and even thrive with MM. I pray for more and more survivors.