Personal stories of myeloma

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 hematologistA doctor who specializes in the problems of blood and bone marrow., Dr Arleigh McCurdy and the

For several months, I noticed that I was feeling very tired. My appetite had reduced, and I was losing weight. I was having night sweats and bone pain. I thought this was due to stress at work or menopause. My family doctor ordered blood tests, which indi

As a multiple myeloma patient diagnosed in 2009, I have been involved with Myeloma Canada for the last eleven years. I have followed their growth and development with interest in all of that time.