Personal stories of myeloma

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Collage of people of different ages and races from the myeloma community

There is no single myeloma experience

Myeloma touches the lives of tens of thousands of Canadians. Whether you are living with the disease, caring for someone who is, or connected another way, your experience and your story are important. We strive to share stories representing the multitude of experiences myeloma can bring.

There is no single myeloma experience

Myeloma touches the lives of tens of thousands of Canadians. Whether you are living with the disease, caring for someone who is, or are connected another way, your experience and your story are important. We strive to share stories representing the multitude of experiences myeloma can bring.

Filter these stories by topic, or scroll through them chronologically.

Personal stories

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Megan and Dwight Gardiner
Spotlight on Megan and Dwight Gardiner

Supporting our loved ones and others is key

January, 2024

Hello. My name is Megan, and I am Dwight’s wife and caregiver. Dwight was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) in February 2018. Confusion and feelings of devastation followed as it was found that he had high risk smoldering myeloma. Then, four months later, Dwight was also diagnosed with AL amyloidosis in his kidneys and heart. He was 53 years old.  

Ashley Dieks
Spotlight on Ashley Dieks

I refuse to stop for myeloma!

December, 2023

Hello, my name is Ashely Dieks.In 2022, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with myeloma. And I was in shock.
 It all started in December of 2021, when I had to lift a patient at work. I felt a pop in my sternum, followed by some pretty intense pain.

dominic jean
Spotlight on Dominic Jean

Honouring Aldo’s legacy

November, 2023

My name is Dominic Jean and my experience with multiple myeloma is a bit different than most of the other experiences you may have read about in previous Spotlight stories. While you may not know me, you may have heard of my late partner. His name was Aldo Del Col and he was the co-founder of Myeloma Canada.

Jean Lelievre
Spotlight on Jean Lelievre

Fulfilling my dreams in spite of multiple myeloma!

October, 2023

My name is Jean Lelievre and I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in June 2021 at the age of 65. In the spring of 2021, following a hike with our dog Charlie, I thought I had pinched the sciatic nerve in my right leg. Unfortunately, even after several physio treatments, the pain was worsening.

Betty Boudreau
Spotlight on Betty Boudreau

Multiple myeloma, you picked the wrong gal to mess with!

September, 2023

My name is Betty Boudreau and I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM) on July 4th, 2018. I was 62 and had never heard of multiple myeloma.Two years into my diagnosis my eldest daughter Misty was also diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

Susan McElwain
Spotlight on Susan McElwain

Soaring and enlightened

August, 2023

My name is Susan McElwain. I was born in Toronto, Ontario, 1960. I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in December 2016. Previous to my assessed illnesses I was an avid sports enthusiast and relished in the idea of worldwide travel. During my twenties I resided in Kailua and Honolulu, Hawaii, and in Porto Ercole and Rome, Italy.

woman
Spotlight on Germaine Nadon

Living solo with myeloma

July, 2023

My name is Germaine Nadon, I live solo and I am a myeloma patient. At the time of my diagnosis, I Iived in Kelowna, in the interior of British Columbia. I had access to a cancer centre that provided some treatments, but no transplant options.

black man
Spotlight on Bayo Oladele

De-stigmatizing cancer for Black Canadians

June, 2023

I would like to share my experiences with you as a Black African cancer patient, the series of battles I fought against cancer, the barrage of treatments I underwent, the notions people in our community still have about cancer, the Art of Caregiving to ca

woman
Spotlight on Alison Walsh

This is my story

May, 2023

What makes some so compelling are their depictions of heroism, struggle, stamina and courage often in the face of impossible odds or dangerous situations. (Think Amelia Earhart flying solo across the Atlantic, the Prophet Moses leading the Exodus of the I

man
Spotlight on Danny Wade

Living life to its fullest!

April, 2023

April 26 will mark 7 years since I first heard the words ‘multiple myeloma’, and the shock that came with it! While it will soon be 7 years since my diagnosis, it still feels like it was yesterday. Fortunately, with time, the first anxieties and fears I