Multiple Myeloma- Dancing In the Rain with MyelomaTeacher

Helen Keller's quote, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much" seemed to be the resonating theme of the Cancer Moonshot 2016 Summit in Washington, DC. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to sit side by side with hundreds of researchers, oncologists, nurses, government officials, data scientists, technology experts, advocates, care partners and fellow patients at the first ever Cancer Moonshot Summit held at Howard University in Washington, DC. #CanServe was the appropriate conference hashtag.  I left yesterday's summit invigorated, inspired, hopeful and valued. I believe EVERYONE in the United States can help with the Cancer Moonshot Initiative thus becoming a source of national pride. Cancer Moonshot was first announced in President's Obama's final State of the Union Address in January and has become Vice President Biden's personal mission. He vows to stick with this initiative even after he leaves office. Moonshot aims to make more t

Seven years ago I was diagnosed with Stage 3 IgG kappa multiple myeloma. I started the recommended treatment protocol immediately without asking my hematologist any questions. Unfortunately, I stopped responding to my induction therapy after only 3 months. A third drug was added to my chemo cocktail as a prepared to have a stem cell transplant. The stem cell transplant failed to put me into any kind of remission. I was devastated and hopeless. I retired from my teaching profession to focus on getting my myeloma under control. Fortunately consolidation therapy after my stem cell transplant and ongoing maintenance therapy has kept me in a very good partial remission for the past several years.  Since my diagnosis I learned how important it is to educate yourself about your myeloma, find support and make sure you are actively engaged on your healthcare team. My learning and support began right here at the Philadelphia Multiple Myeloma Networking Group. The PMMNG gave me the foundation I n