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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![Photo de Glenn Hussey, Président](https://myeloma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/dfd63a04-e0c0-4b80-a711-7602b50208e5.jpg)
Spotlight on Glenn Hussey: My myeloma story
December, 2021
In 2006 at the age of 52, my family doctor sent me for what I thought was routine blood work. When he received the results, he referred me to a hematologistA doctor who specializes in the problems of blood and bone marrow. at The Ottawa Hospital because of what he saw. I subsequently met with the hematologist, had more b
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Spotlight on Jojie Misenas: I am my husband’s caregiver
November, 2021
I am my husband’s caregiver! I am his strength, his courage and his hope…It all started with Catalino napping for too long after work, missing workouts and complaining of a nagging pain in his shoulder. This was seven (7) months prior to hearing the dread
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Spotlight on Frances DelSol: My road now travelled
October, 2021
When I was asked to come into the doctor’s office on August 27, 2020, I knew that the news was not what I expected. As I listened to the oncologistA doctor who specializes in treating cancer. Some oncologists specialize in a particular type of cancer treatment. and the word cancerA term for diseases in which malignant cells divide without control. Cancer cells can invade nearby tissues and spread through the bloodstream and lymphatic system to other parts of the body., I began to spiral but the denial was short-lived as I bolted back to reality hearing t
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Spotlight on Ryan Matches: Becoming a myeloma advocate
September, 2021
When North Vancouver’s Ryan Matches was met with a myeloma diagnosisThe process of identifying a disease by its signs and symptoms. in 2015 at the age of 49, he was left with the feeling that “it’s always supposed to happen to someone else”, a sentiment all too familiar that comes with a cancer diagnosis. Digesting t
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Spotlight on Pierre Laforest: My story
August, 2021
I have twice competed in the Ironman 70.3 World Championship, at Mont-Tremblant in 2014 with my daughter and son-in-law (what a great feeling!), and at Henderson Lake, Nevada in 2013. Before my myeloma diagnosis, I was the Eastern Canada Sales Manager at
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Spotlight on Kerrie Gagne: My AL amyloidosis story
July, 2021
My story began on January 29, 2020, when I went for a cortisone injectionPushing a medication into the body with the use of a syringe and needle. in my elbow for an ongoing issue with my right arm that I am still dealing with. I returned to work after that injection and don’t remember much after that because I was taken by am
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Spotlight on Tanya Zigomanis: Living with an Incurable Cancer
June, 2021
At age 37, in May 2019, I was diagnosed with myeloma. Since then, I’ve undergone a stem cellThe basic unit of any living organism. transplant and remain on maintenance. That June, I raised $10,000 for the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation walk. Then, in September of that same year, I raised
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Spotlight on Rinat Avitzur: My myeloma journey
May, 2021
On a sunny day in September 2019, my phone rang: “Hello Rinat, this is Dr. Gottesman. I am calling to ask you to repeat your blood work. It’s been six months since your last blood work and I am following up since there was a slight abnormality with your h
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Spotlight on Trevor Ives: Staying positive, planning for the future and enjoying the every day.
April, 2021
My myeloma story starts like so many other Canadians: unaware and never having heard of multiple myeloma. At the time I was diagnosed in 2019, I was 53 years old, healthy, and active with the perfect family, great friends, and a good career. Today, with t
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Spotlight on Denise Picard-Stencer: 1-year post stem cell transplant and enjoying life to the fullest
March, 2021
My 1st year anniversary post stem cell transplant!I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer in July 2019, 7 months after many investigations and a lot of acuteA sudden onset of symptoms or disease. pain. I was closely followed by my hematologist, Dr Arleigh McCurdy and the