Your wellness

Cancer Awareness: Thank you Moriah Sisters!

Before this month ends I would like to thank the Moriah Sisters for inviting me to speak and share my TESTimony at the Colors of Cancer Awareness Brunch  that took place on October 4th at Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church! It was such a blessed event and I would like to commend and thank them from recognizing ALL cancers at this event. This event was inspirational and also educational as there were also nurses to speak about certain topics and representatives from the American Cancer Society. Lastly, half of the registration money went to the American Cancer Society! Enjoy the pictures below.

You're a survivor!

This speaks to ALL of us, not just Cancer survivors! 

Don't give up, stay encouraged!

"Yesterday I dared to struggle, today I dare to win" Bernadette Delvin

"You can choose to be fearful or fearless. And I choose to be the latter." Robin Roberts

Charlie Brown: Cancer Explained

This link will show you a clip from the cartoon charlie brown. I think this is pretty accurate. The bone marrow test is the most unbearable pain even for those that have a high threshold for pain...BUT the moral of the story, HAVE FAITH, DON'T GIVE UP, AND LIVE YOUR LIFE!

Live your life!

When you are told that you have Cancer, it seems that your world comes crashing down. It is okay to feel that way, it is okay to feel depressed, it is okay to be angry...BUT you shouldn't stay that way. You have to focus on how to win this battle. You may be going through a situation at the moment but you need to remember that God still has a purpose for you!

It is September

September is blood cancer awareness month. Multiple Myeloma, Leukemia, and Lymphoma. There are a lot of challenges out here in effort to raise money for different diseases. I say what is the point of the challenge, just donate the money. Become an advocate, become a mentor to a caregiver or another patient. What are you doing to raise awareness? Don't wait until September to raise awareness!

August Survivor Story: Gwenita

On June 28, 2011, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells. It’s so funny how you think everything is going just RIGHT in your life but God has other plans for you. I was on top of the world; I had just graduated from Columbia College (SC) with my Accounting degree, after a 15 year hiatus.  

On May 10^th, I was playing softball when a pain, like I have never felt, hit me at the top of my head and went down the left side of my body. I was told it was my sciatic nerve by the emergency room doctor, which I knew in my heart of hearts, was not the right diagnosis. In 2008, I had already been given the diagnosis of multiple myeloma but refused to accept that diagnosis from my Hematologist.  At that time it was determined that my diagnosis was of MGUS (monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined specification). After about a couple weeks of continued pain and numbness on my left side, I returned to my PCP, who did an x-ray and sent me straight to my oncologist. I was diagnosed on that Tuesday, June 28^th, and the life that I had taken for granted flashed in my face. I had gone from a MGUS to Stage II Multiple Myeloma with multiple bone lesions in my ribs, my pelvic area and back. I immediately had a port inserted and began several rounds of Velcade and Zometa treatment. I was responding to all treatment well, the pain dissipated and the bone lesions healed.  I was placed on Revlimid and Dex maintenance because I was not mentally or emotionally ready for the stem cell transplant. I refused to have a procedure of that magnitude when my body was not in totally in tune, spiritually, mentally or emotionally. 

I was able to go back to work in March 2012 after the myeloma was under control.  Prior to returning to work, I did not have insurance and was not able to get any assistance because I was not perceived as disable due to my age (yes, my age) and I had not had the stem cell transplant.  This almost wiped me out financially but it’s amazing how awesome God is.  I never went one day without the things I needed including food, shelter, medications and went to each doctor or specialist I was scheduled for.

Fast-forward, I had an autologous stem cell transplant done on October 4, 2013 at Duke University.  The entire process was truly a humbling experience and I can’t thank my family, friends and the entire at staff at Duke, enough, for the support and care I received.  The transplant was a success I am now in complete REMISSION.  I am playing volleyball twice a week and softball on Saturday’s.  Yes, myeloma is a treatable cancer but I EXPECT a MIRACLE.  I am very hopeful they are going to find a cure for this disease. 
I am an active member of Camden Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. I enjoy reading, shopping, traveling and watching or playing any organized sport. I am a die-hard Washington Redskin fan.

“Cancer is not my story, it’s not my life; it’s just an excerpt from a chapter of the many stories I will tell in my life.” ~Gwenita

Thank you for sharing your story. Continue to fight and have faith! 

My radio interview with the "Stupid Cancer Show"

Hello to all the young adults, 18-39, Cancer Survivors and those Patients still fighting. There is an organization out here called StupidCancer that is based in NY. You can visit them at www.stupidcancer.org On this website you will find links to financial resources, remember according to the SAMFund #Cancerisntfree, get legal help, inquire about fertility, are you feeling lonely...you can find a mentor or support group. This organization also does  a live radio show every Monday at 8p EST. I was blessed to have the opportunity to be on their show 7/28/14. I have provided the link below to the entire show; however, my interview starts at 12:45. Thank you.

Keep your head up, God has your back but you have to also fight for yourself too...together that is a great combination!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stupidcancershow/2014/07/29/spotlight-ralph-lauren-center-for-cancer-care-and-prevention

July's Survivor Story:A Mother's Story-Josh

When someone in your family is diagnosed with cancer it affects the whole family and everyone they are loved by. My story of MM is not one actually of my own but of my 16 year old son. Josh. In October of 2011 my then 13 year old came home from school and told me that his shoulder hurt. So I took him to his doctor who said that because Josh played sports he probably just hurt himself. She told me to go home and give him some aspirin. So that's what we did and Josh didn't complain anymore. The pain went away, but looking back of course it did because we were giving him pain meds! Then on November 14th Josh came home and said his shoulder hurt so bad he couldn't even hold his book bag. His dad asked him if he was okay because he looked tired and weak. I feel like such a idiot for not noticing even after his dad said something, I still just thought he was just tired. That day we took him to an urgent care center. They did an X-ray and said they think they see a cyst. That we needed to make an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon. So we did we went there a couple days later. There they said we needed to go to get a MRI so we went there the day before Thanksgiving. I know this may sound crazy but even after all that I wasn't scared. It was just a cyst right? Never in a million trillion years would I ever think that my son would ever have Cancer. It happens to other people but not you. Since it was a holiday we had to wait a couple of days to go back to the docs and get the results. On Dec.1, 2011 at 3:32 p.m they told me that my son had what they thought was leukemia and that I needed to go to children's hospital is Washington, D.C. right away, they are expecting me.
I was in a daze. Both Josh and his little brother were in the room and I didn't know what to do. It was like I was in the twilight zone. During the hour car ride I still some how didn't believe it. Josh never got sick he is a little soldier! He is the oldest of 6 kids. When the house got sick with the stomach virus my Joshie was the only one that didn't get sick. They have to be wrong. The following days were crazy to say the least.No one could figure out what cancer he had. He was 13 so that is what they were looking for, childhood cancers. Everyday they would come in and tell me different cancers. ALL,AML,and Lymphoma. Then on Dec.8 more docs than I had ever seen in my life entered that small little room on the 4th floor. That room was so smushed with people you could hardly move. They said that Josh had stage 3 Multiple Myeloma. That it was everywhere,even his skull.
When they all left I broke down. I know I shouldn't have in front of Josh but I couldn't. I was 5 months pregnant and already overly emotional. My Joshie just held me tight and said, "it's okay mommy I'm gonna be alright," My hero.
The months to follow were rough,11 rounds of chemo(9 chemos),and two BMT's later (one allo, one auto stem cell transplant) my baby is cancer free!!! Almost 2 years 10/19/2014!!! Words cannot describe how blessed I am to be his momma! He wears a bracelet everyday never takes it off it says NEGU (never EVER give up) and he has done just that, and I won't either! F you cancer!

Young people are affected by Cancer too, but it is rare for someone as  young as Josh to be diagnosed with Myeloma. Research shows that less than 1% of cases are diagnosed younger than 35. We will never understand why this happens to those in that 1% bracket let alone a child. However, just remember that God will always be there with you through the good and bad. Keep your eye on him, obey him, let him direct your path, and ALWAYS believe in him. Continue to move forward Josh, keep fighting and know that your story will help someone out here! 

My interview for the kickstarter for HERSTORY local documentary

This is a link to a local documentary that I did here in Austin. This was inspired by a young woman who lost her sister to Cancer. She decided to make a documentary called "HerStory" that has a story line of a young couple and the girlfriend finds out that she has Cancer. I was just one of the few people who shared their story for this project as a kickstarter. Here is my interview.

The interview was over an hour but I knew it would be edited to 4-5 minutes. I mentioned my faith a lot in my interview, but it isn't in the edited version. So, remember that God is the ONLY one who got me through this!

Exercise tips

I know that some of us may have had a very active lifestyle before being diagnosed with Cancer, but there are some of us that may have had a sedentary lifestyle as well. After surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, and even remission with maintenance therapy can cause days of no energy or less energy. However, on the days that our energy is up we have to keep moving such as light to moderate weight training, yoga, pilates, or low or high impact exercises. Depending on your diagnosis you want to be careful when exercising because you do not want to damage your bones. Here is a video that may help you with some ideas especially if you had a sedentary lifestyle.

Check this link on youtube that gives instructions from a certified Cancer exercise trainer:  http://youtu.be/bvEqcc3_Nh4

One step closer to a cure for Multiple Myeloma

Some people may have heard about the Mayo's Clinic recent trial of measles vaccine to cure MM. The trial included 2 individuals. One woman, age 50, was considered CANCER FREE from the incurable MM! However, the second participant relapsed after 9 months. It may not be a treatment option or cure just yet, but with more research, test, and tweaking of the trials we may be steps closer to a cure. People are excited and hopeful! MM is increasing in numbers especially among younger patients, and it also the second most common blood cancer.

Check out the story: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2014/05/15/measles-vaccine-cancer-mayo-clinic/9115363/?csp=fbfanpage

Let's talk Leukemia

When it comes to blood cancers most people have not heard of Multiple Myeloma but typically they have heard of Leukemia or Lymphoma. You may read that these blood cancers will only affect a certain race or age, but the reality is none of these blood cancers attack people of a specific age group. This disease affects people of all ages and races.There are four forms of Leukemia.  Acute Myeloid (AML), Chronic Myeloid (CML), Chronic Lymphocytic (CLL), and Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). 

Leukemia is a cancer of the marrow and the blood. Acute leukemias are rapidly progressing diseases that affect cells that are not fully developed, and they cannot carry out their normal functions. Chronic leukemias usually progress more slowly and some of the cells can carry out normal functions. There is no one triggering event that is linked to Acute Myeloid Leukemia. It has been suggested that repeated exposure to the chemical benzene may be a factor in AML development. Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor. This chemical can be found in certain industrial settings as well as in cigarette smoke. In addition, certain genetic disorders such as Fanconi's anemia, Shwachman syndrome, and Down Syndrome are associated with an increase risk of AML.

AML is the most common acute leukemia affecting adults, and it is also the most common type of leukemia diagnosed during infancy. At least 15% to 20% of cases of leukemia are childhood and 82% are adulthood.
Some signs and symptoms of AML may include tiredness, a pale complextion from anemia, weight loss, discomfort in bones and joints, mild fevers, black and blue bruises occurring for no reason or a minor injury, swollen gums, and frequent minor infections.

Chronic Myeloid Leukemia is known to be less severe than AML. The CML cells grows and survive better than normal cells, but if they are left untreated there will be uncontrolled growth of CML cells. There is a gene, BCR-ABL, that will develop into CML. Researchers do not understand why this gene only forms in some people and not in others. It has also been reported that a small number of patients, CML can be caused be exposure to radiation. Most cases of CML occur in adults. Some of the signs and symptoms include tiredness, shortness of breath while doing everyday activities, enlarged spleen, paleness from anemia (decrease in red cells), night sweats, weight loss, and an inability to tolerate warm temperatures.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia results from an acquired change to the DNA of a single marrow cell that develops into a lymphocyte. At this time researchers still don't know what causes this change. CLL cells are known to survive better than normal cells too, but the uncontrolled growth will result in CLL cells in the blood.  CLL has two different forms: slow growing and fast growing. CLL has not been linked to any environmental or external factors and more common in people who are 60 years old and older. Symptoms of CLL typically develop over time and some people may not have any symptoms at all. Those who do experience symptoms may deal with tiredness, weight loss, or swollen lymph nodes.

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia results from an acquired or genetic injury to the DNA of a single cell in the marrow. The effects of ALL include uncontrollable growth and accumulation of cells called lymphoblasts or leukemic blasts, which fail to function as a normal blood cell. High doses of radiation are known to possibly increase the chances of ALL; however, researchers continue to look into lifestyle and environmental causes too. Signs and symptoms are the same as others such as pale skin, fever, weight loss, etc.

Pay attention to your body and if you feel something is wrong be proactive and seek medical attention. Stay on the medical staff and be sure to ask for a blood test because some of these blood cancers can only be detected through a blood test.


This post is dedicated to this little angel below, Paisley, who battled AML, and at 6 months old she is now sitting comfortably in God's arms. I thank her mother, Alexis, and aunt, Candace, for allowing me to post her picture and the shirt in her honor.

Please help support research for childhood cancer and blood cancers. There are lots of things you can do, donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society to help create funds to help cure blood cancers...Leukemia, Lymphoma, and Myeloma. Check out the volunteer opportunities on www.lls.org. No one is exempt from Cancer. What if it was your family, your children, your close friend, or you? Wouldn't you do what you can to help advocate and find answers for the cure!

Remember with any Cancer diagnosis you will have your good days and bad days but keep God in your life and don't give up hope! 

Blood Cancer Survivor of the Month (May): Sarah

The summer of 2006 I did not feel well.  I was tired all the time and often slightly queasy.   At Thanksgiving in 2005 I had broken a rib, and a few months later another one on the other side, and they weren’t healing well.  Finally at the end of August 2006 I went to my primary care physician, and she ordered tests, including a CAT scan.  A couple of days later she called me.  The CAT scan had shown lytic lesions on the bones of my ribs and spine.  That meant one of three things: metastatic breast cancer, metastatic lung cancer, or multiple myeloma.  She didn’t think I had multiple myeloma because I didn’t meet the demographic (she was a young doctor just out of residency with not a lot of experience).  She ordered another CAT scan, this one with contrast dye.  A couple of days after that CAT scan I started throwing up. I couldn’t keep anything down.  She ordered more blood tests. A mammogram had shown no sign of a breast tumor, and the CAT scan had shown no sign of a lung tumor.  Early in September 2006 she called and said the blood tests indicated my kidneys were failing, and I should come to the ER right away.  We were in the ER about 36 hours before they moved me to a room.  The nephrologist the FP doc called in thought it was myeloma.  They did a kidney biopsy and placed a dialysis catheter and I had my first dialysis treatment on September 9, 2006.  The next day an oncologist visited and told me I had multiple myeloma. She gave me a treatment to draw the calcium back into my bones, and gave me plasmaphoresis to remove some of the myeloma protein.

We were living in the New Orleans area at the time, and this was only a year after Katrina.  Medical care was still in disarray.  My oncologist told me she was sending me to the Myeloma Institute  for Research and Treatment (MIRT) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Science (UAMS) in Little Rock.  My first visit I was there for 3 weeks.  I had MRI, PET scan, bone marrow biopsy, and blood tests (25 vials of blood that first trip!), and I still had to have dialysis 3 times a week.  The MRI showed a tumor had just about taken over my C4 vertebra in my neck.  A surgeon removed the vertebra and put a plate between C3 and C5 vertebrae.  I was in a neck brace for 10 weeks. The bone marrow biopsy revealed I had high risk, stage 3, kappa light chain myeloma.  The MRI revealed over 100 lesions on ribs, spine, shoulder blades, and pelvis.  I had compression fractures in my spine, and I was now 2 inches shorter than I had been before myeloma.  At the end of that first trip to MIRT I signed up for a clinical study. Because I had kidney failure some of MIRT’s standard treatments were out.  My protocol called for 3 months of thalidomide and dexamethasone, followed by light chemo, then collection of stem cells, and tandem stem cell bone marrow transplants.  I was sent home on October 1. 

After a month on thalidomide-dex, blood tests showed the drugs were working.  My free light chains were reduced.  In January 2007 I went back to MIRT.  I was given melphalan, and about 10 days later I did stem cell collection.  They got enough stem cells for 5 transplants. They sent me home to get some strength back, and I came back to MIRTI star in March 2007 for chemo (cytoxin) followed by stem cell transplant. I got bad mucositis and could barely force myself to eat.  I started losing weight.  I was still on dialysis.  After a bout of pneumonia my white count started rising, and they released me to go home at the end of March. 

In June 2007 I went back to MIRT for the second transplant.  However, testing prior to the transplant showed I had pneumonia, so I had to wait for a month until it was gone.  The second transplant took place on July 1, 2007.  Again I got mucusitis, pneumonia again, and a full body rash.  I was also anorexic and couldn’t eat.  My white count finally recovered and I was sent home in remission. 

My first checkup back at MIRT was in October 2007.  My research protocol had called for being put back on thalidomide when my platelets went up to 150000, but they hadn’t by that October visit, so my doctor took me off the study and put me on thalidomide.  He told me I was in complete remission.  But I was still on dialysis.

The two years after the treatment I returned to MIRT every 3 months.  After that I sent blood and urine samples in every 2 months, and visited every 6 months.  Finally, at 5 years the visit interval was once a year, with samples sent every 2 months.  When I moved to Oregon in November 2012, I stopped going back to MIRT.  I see my hematologist/oncologist here ever 6 months, and I do blood tests every 3 months.  I’m still in remission after  6 1/2 years.  I’m still on dialysis, but now I’m being evaluated for a kidney transplant. 

That’s my survivor story.

Sarah Lingle

To All My Survivors!

Who am I...Timeka and this is My Story & TESTimony

*Disclaimer: There is some graphic content and I apologize for the length*

Who is this person that started this blog and why?

Background: I was born in 1979 in Maryland and moved to Virginia with my mother on my 1^st birthday. I was very close with my mother’s side of the family and a few cousins on my father’s side. At the age of 14, my freshman year, my mother passed away and my grandmother and aunt raised me. A week prior to my senior prom at age 17 my grandmother passed away. I went on to college on a band scholarship in 1997. I ended up living with my mother’s best friend from the age of 18-20, whom I am still close with until this day as she treated me like her own child. I began to venture into the world as she encouraged me to and moved out and have been on my own since I was 20. I graduated with honors and my B.S. in Psychology in 2001. I worked in the Mental Health/Mental Retardation field beginning in 2002. While I was working full-time, I eventually went back to graduate school in 2006, and earned my M.S. in Clinical Psychology in 2009.

The move: I moved to Texas after praying on which job offer to take. I ended up working for a Juvenile Prison System beginning in 2010 as an Associate Psychologist. As the time went by I changed my mind about getting my Ph.D. and in 2011 I decided on changing my career. I ended up enrolling into a 2^nd Masters program in Cybersecurity with a concentration in Computer Forensics/Intelligence.

Problems arise: After a year into my graduate program I started getting really ill. I had non-stop headaches, 7 days a week, and nothing would give me relief. I began going to doctor after doctor. I went to my primary care, she sent me to my ENT due to the thumping in my ear, he sent me to a neurologist and he sent me to physical therapy. They all said the same thing, “You are stressed” because they literally saw and felt knots in my shoulders. The doctors said with being in a stressful work environment due to a micromanager who thought she could talk and treat me (and others) any way, being on-call for our department in a rotation schedule, being on-call for the facility as one of our new found duties, and being in graduate school full-time was the problem. So, my primary care thought it was best to put me on FMLA. It helped to decrease the headaches and some of the tension. However, that was short lived and I began to get worse. It got to the point where I would get sick on the way to work during my hour commute. I would have to pull my car over on the side of the road and vomit. I was calling out sick and my sick time was dwindling down; it was too the point a colleague, our Chaplain, said I needed to go home because I had no color. She insisted and said she would tell my supervisor she sent me home. People said I was losing weight but I know that I had gone back to healthy eating and would stop eating once I was full so it didn’t dawn on me anything was wrong.

In August 2012, I went to NY for 3 days for my classes and on that last day I was sick as a dog. A good classmate of mine mentioned that I didn’t look well and I told her I felt horrible and I was up all night dealing with nausea/vomiting. Once I was back in TX I was on-call for my job and I had no energy. I couldn’t do my homework and I prayed to God that no one from work called me with any emergency because that Saturday I slept for 12+hours on the floor and was still exhausted when I woke up. Once I was back at work I talked to a colleague who is a nurse. She suggested that I get a blood test because I sounded anemic, which I told her that I have been borderline anemic since I was 18.  I went back to see my primary care and told them the problem. After going to all these doctors over a 9 month period they called me within the day and said “Well, we figured out why you are so tired…your blood count is a 5.”  Ok, what does that mean? I need to take some more Iron?  “No, you need to get a blood transfusion.” The normal blood count for women is 12. I had an old colleague of mine to drive me and pick up the orders the next day and went to the hospital. I thought I was just there for a blood transfusion and to my surprise they admitted me and slapped a “Fall Risk” bracelet on my arm. I asked “why?!”  especially when the nurse began walking right behind me all in my personal space. The nurse said, “We don’t know how you are walking around and neither do we know how long you have been walking around like this. People typically would have passed out by now especially with all that you have going on and been doing, you must be really strong and have angels around you.”

The diagnosis: After a week in the hospital and many tests including a bone marrow biopsy (BMB) I was told I had Hemolytic Anemia (Autoimmune disorder) and Stage 3 Multiple Myeloma, a blood cancer, which was over 90% of my body two weeks before my 33rd  birthday. Normally stage 4 is the highest but for MM Stage 3 is the highest. My first reaction, I will not lie, I did not cry, I said “I’m used to bad things happening, it is just one more thing. Let’s just knock out this chemo.”

The struggle and fight:  I began chemotherapy in October 2012. I didn’t have many side effects other than the change in my taste buds. Well on October 16^th I received Zometa, a medication that is supposed to help strengthen the bones. This is necessary because MM can cause lytic lesions on the bones, which I do have a few of now. Zometa didn’t work well with me and I called off every day after that dose. By that Sunday I barely could move, I was moving so slow I didn’t make it to church until the sermon. I made it to Wal-mart after that and a customer who was a nurse came to me and asked if I needed help because I didn’t look well and she offered to come back to take me home. I made it home by myself and I remember being really tired. I ate half my food and talked to a few people on the phone and my cousin said the phone went dead. I remember hitting the wall. I was so tired I couldn’t take my dog outside. I went to sleep and I don’t remember much after that.

The next thing I remember was hearing people leaving messages on my answering machine, but the medication had me paralyzed and I couldn’t get up to answer the phone. My job, friends, and family were calling but no response and my cell was dead. On October 24^th I heard a knock at the door, my aunt called my colleague who helped the most at the time and he called a neighbor of mine. She sent her son to knock on the door and I responded. So once my neighbor got home she went to the rental office and told them that I was sick and someone need to get in there. They contacted the fire marshal down stairs and he dispatched his team to drill me out. I was told that I had been missing for 3 days. I was found unclothed with a fever of 104.4, very low blood pressure, a blood count of 4.2, dehydrated and hungry in a very hot apartment. They were not sure if I had hit my head because the shower curtain and shower rod were found pulled down in the bathroom but I was found on my sofa. I didn’t remember if I had tried to take a shower to go to work that first day I was missing or not. My neighbor told me that they told her to hurry up and gather some things because had I not been found I would have been dead within the next 12 hours. This was only 3 or 4 weeks after starting chemo and it wasn’t even the chemo med that caused all this. After being in the ER and ICU I was told I didn’t open my eyes until two days later.

On top of all of that I had to begin dialysis on October 31^st because I had no kidney function anymore. I felt hopeless and helpless because I couldn’t do anything on my own. I felt ashamed because I had to have nurses to clean my body. Friends had to help feed me, the little bit I would eat because everything tasted like burnt dirt.  I had to learn how to walk all over again. I had to do breathing exercises because I had a partially collapsed lung. I had gone from being the helper to the one needing help, which was difficult for me to accept.

My father flew down from MD for a week during the time I was in ICU. Over the next few weeks in between all the phone calls, texts, and visits, I participated in OT, PT, and my breathing exercises. I continued chemo and dialysis in the hospital, and I ended up with neuropathy for a few weeks but it went away when the oncologist switched my medication. I had re-learned everything and was released within a month.  I will never forget a student nephrologist (kidney doctor) asked could he pray with me because he had never seen someone go from one extreme to another so fast. That touched my heart.

Once I was released from the hospital I was a wreck because so much had happened so quickly before I could even wrap my head around the Cancer diagnosis. In addition, I couldn’t do simple things and I was so frustrated and embarrassed…these were the same things I used to do when I had clients! I was often confused and wasn’t sure how to order food due to my kidney issues, and I broke down crying right there in McDonald's trying to order a chicken sandwich. I couldn’t separate my medicines, drive myself around, or stand for long periods of time. So I had home health and PT once a week at home. Again I wasn’t use to depending on others. In order to get around I had to depend on people as well but at some point they were not available anymore. So, the second or third week I was home from the hospital I asked my neighbor to back my car out of my parking space. I drove slowly to the vacant parking lot down the street and re-taught myself how to drive. I didn’t remember where a lot of things were but I used my GPS to get to where I had to go until I was comfortable again.

I resumed dialysis and chemo with my oncologist. I ended up with a different kidney doctor and he was very negative. He told me he didn’t expect me to ever get off of dialysis. In order to get off dialysis your creatinine (kidney function) must be a 2. I just looked at him, as my face tells a story, and said “oh ok.” In my head I really said, “We will see.” Ironically dialysis didn’t drain me like most people. I went MWF and I had chemo and dialysis on Friday. I walked every day for 30 minutes to an hour even on Friday’s. I was taken off of dialysis 2 weeks before Christmas 2012.

I stopped worrying: After I made it through all of that I stopped worrying. No nervousness when I went for certain tests or anything! I knew that God had it all under control. My local oncologist finally got me in to see a doctor at MD Anderson in Houston.  When I met the oncologist there he wasn’t happy with my progress on my current medication so they changed it. That helped and my cancer cells started to decrease at a faster pace. However, MDA oncologist said he may admit me for high dose chemo then and there because the numbers were not where he wanted them to be for my upcoming transplant. Well when my results came he was satisfied with the numbers and said, “You are lucky.” I said, “Nope, I am blessed!”

I was able to finally meet with my stem cell transplant doctor. After a few more rounds of chemo I was able to start harvesting my cells for my stem cell transplant (SCT) in September 2013. The process began at the end of August. I had prepared myself for the worst as I heard so many things from people and their experiences regarding SCT. After all the testing I was admitted in the hospital for my stem cell transplant. Remember in 2012 I had over 90% of myeloma over my body by the time transplant rolled around I was down to 15%! I had my transplant on the 13^th, yes, Friday the 13^th! In the world of stem cell transplants, you are said to have a new birthday on the day you have your transplant. It was successful and thank God I didn’t experience some of what others had just the occasional nausea, vomiting, of course hair loss, and I did hate the mucusitis. I had to stay in the Houston area for two weeks after they released me, and my caregiver said she felt useless because I could do everything for myself. I thank God for that strength he gave me. I reached my 34^th birthday while in Houston and I was blessed to see it because most people die within a year that is diagnosed with Stage 3 MM and it is rare for younger people to develop this. Once I was released to go home in October, I was asked and blessed to share my story with some of the women at my church, Abundant Life Community Baptist Church.   

The light at the end of the tunnel: I knew my immune system was low so I had to wear a mask in most places. I never stopped thanking Jesus (even when I went through all that in 2012), I never stopped believing, I never became inactive at church, and I never stopped or will stop sharing my story.

Let’s rejoice: People constantly asked me about remission and the answer was I don’t know. I told them that in my heart and mind I do believe that I am. They asked how do you know and my answer “I just do.” Remember I left it in God’s hand! On March 18, 2014, I received the “official” word that I WAS IN REMISSION!  Although it is said that you are never really in remission with myeloma, your numbers are just low enough where it isn't a problem...remember this is an incurable cancer. However, this journey is what you make it positive thoughts brings on longevity and negative thoughts brings on quick deterioration. So, to me and with God by my side...I WAS AND AM IN REMISSION! 

It was nothing but the blood of Jesus that covered me those three days in that apartment. This isn’t just because I survived all of this but three represents the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. In that apartment, it was just me, my dog (Lenny), and God! You can see the hole in the wall where Lenny tried to get help, but he sat right by my side the rest of the time. God knew what he was doing when he matched us up in July 2012. While I was in here passed out I literally felt myself dying; I felt the film developing on my teeth, my body shutting down. I had haters; one of the kidney doctors, that supervisor, she told others I wouldn’t make it and when I did she changed it to I wouldn’t make it to Christmas 2013.

I still see a kidney doctor and luckily I was able to change to the initial one I had in the hospital…the one that was supportive of me from day one. I was told by the other kidney doctor that I would never get off of dialysis and get to a creatinine (kidney) function of a 2 but my creatinine continues to drop lower and hopefully it will be back to 0 one day. When this all began the lowest my blood count was 4.2 and I had several transfusions…today my blood is holding strong at a 12.5! I have my good days and bad days because of my current maintenance therapy medication, Revlimid…side effects. Trust and believe the days I feel great I take advantage of that by participating in cardiovascular exercise at least 5x a week and strength training 3x a week although I have to be careful because of my bones.

No one determines my fate but God and this testimony shows he has more work for me to do. God has directed me on a different path: to raise awareness about blood cancer, sign up to be an advocate, share my story by way of being on a panel at the blood cancer conference, speaking to the women at my church, testifying in front of my church, being in a local documentary that highlighted young adults who survived terminal illnesses, and whatever else God tells me to do.

Don’t feel sorry for me, I don’t share this for sympathy. I do it for the non-believers, I do it for those that are in a situation especially something similar and they don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel…they have faith but it has diminished, and I do it for those that have strong faith and are believers so they can always have strong faith.

If I could go back the day of my diagnosis I would tell myself: God gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. This has made me see myself the same way people have always said they seen me as strong and an inspiration. Praise God because if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be here to share any of this and my story out of millions just shows people how God works and moves in life. Sometimes God sets you on a path but he may redirect that path at times. Remember that everyone has a purpose; just consult with the Lord to make sure that you are on the path HE has set for you!

Below is a timeline of pictures. I have shared privately with some people, but I was struggling on whether or not to reveal these publicly but God has been tugging at my heart and I can't let it go. So I'm sharing these pictures to show where I was and where I am now…thanks to God. 

Picture 1: the day I was admitted for a week and got my diagnosis, September 2012. Picture 2 & 3: the day they found me. Picture 4: On oxygen. Picture 5: Walking the hallways in my walker. Picture 6: A few weeks after release. 

Picture 1: At MD Anderson the week of my stem cell transplant (Yes, I made that wig), September 2013. Picture 2: On the way to church a month after transplant, October 2013. *women: don't be ashamed of your bald head, ROCK IT BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT YOUR HAIR!* Picture 3: Lenny! Picture 4: 5 months post-transplant at the blood cancer conference in Dallas. Picture 5: Present day...6 months post-transplant!

All I can say is that these really speak to my favorite gospel song, “It’s only a test!” I am so glad that I don’t look like what I have been through, God restored me!

National Young Adult Cancer Awareness Week

April 7-11th is National Young Adult (19-39) Cancer Awareness Week. Since you all are aware that young adults can get Cancer, I want to recognize those that have been affected by Cancer at a young age. Thank you all for your strength, your courage, and your willingness to help others. Take the time out to acknowledge these people. Have a wonderful and blessed week everyone!

You can kick cancer's butt! #BELIEVE #FAITH

A random fact

Remember that your situation may look blurry, but there is someone out here in a worse situation than you. Multiple myeloma isn't know to affect those that are younger but these days this blood cancer is plaguing those that are young. I met a woman at the 9th annual blood cancer conference in Dallas and she said that she thought she was young, at 40, when she was diagnosed. She said this after she found out I was diagnosed at 31 right before my 32nd birthday. I met another guy that was diagnosed right before his 32nd birthday. Today I have learned of a young man that was 13 years old when he was diagnosed with stage 3 MM 2 years ago.

Regardless what age your diagnosed or what blood cancer you are diagnosed with. Never give up, fight the good fight, believe and have faith. Hopefully someone's story will give you that inspiration to just do that!

Be who you be

Never stop believing!

Let's beat it!

Blood Cancer Survivor of the Month (March): Madelon's Story

I was born (1957) with severe asthma and allergies. I had part of my right lung removed when I was 19. There were not as many drugs on the market then. I was blessed as I got married and had two children. I tell people that get a cold or flu now and that is how I felt most of my life. I was able to finally complete school and I became a respiratory therapist. When I first started my career as a RT my patients were cystic fibrosis patients. I couldn't imagine knowing you had a disease that was terminal. I had a respiratory arrest and the physicians thought that I was brain dead. Almost two years to the day it happened again. Around 2000 many more drugs were on the market and lots of prayer my symptoms drastically improved. Now this is where the big sipped bumps come into play. In 2002, I was still getting infection after infection but was able to work etc. Routine blood work showed anemia which my primary care physician could not identify . She referred me to a hematologist/oncologist which diganosed me with Monoclonal gammopathy of underdetermined significance (MGUS), which is a paraprotein found in the blood and it resembles Multiple Myeloma. My m-spike at that time was like 1. It was monitored every 3 months for about 5 years . The number increased slightly but not by much so my a ppts were moved to every 6 mo. I had a couple of bm bx during this period. M-spike increased to 1.6 around 2008 . So more BMB and bone survey. Moved check ups back to every 3 months. During this time I was stared on iVIG for the infections. Feeling tired and run down from work, home life and I play organ at our church. In Feb of 2010 my M-spike jumped to almost 5. That is when I got the dreaded news. It was all like a dream or should I say nightmare. I was stared on velcade and steroids. Well steroids had already been in my life steadily because of my past history. The plan was to bring the m-spike down to 0 and get SCT. Well the dosage of velcade was making my fingertips and toes turn blue so it was decreased. This caused the numbers not to decrease as rapidly as my transplant physician wanted. They tried adding revlimid. Still the M-spike was being stubborn. My docs decided to hit me hard with a combination of chemo in which I was constantly hooked up to this back pack for a week. I had four rounds of this and this is when THE HAIR FELL OUT!. I was admitted the first week of nov 2010 for my line for the transplant and was given more intense chemo. Went home for 2 weeks and then I was admitted for the big day and my dose of melphalan. I received my SCT Nov 24,2010. By the way ,the harvesting of my cells went well. They were able to harvest enough for two SCT if needed. So to speed the story up , m-spike was .6 and fell to .3. First BMB post SCT was 10% . Second BMB showed 35% and her we go again. I begged my transplant physician to do another one. He told me I had to wait either 2or3 wks. He had began processing paper work for another transplant. I am an only child so he began looking for a donor. So, when he repeated the BMB ,it was back down to 10%. In the meantime they did find a match for me. We had lots of meetings with both docs and decided to watch and wait. Everything seemed to be holding steady with my partial remission until Feb 2012. My m-spike increased form .3 to 1.5. Again here we go working up for the allo. I was placed on Revlimid 10mg and pred 40mg M,W,F. I felt better than I had felt in a long time, so the decision was made again to watch and wait while being on the maintenance drugs. The steroids make you crazy!!! With side effects so they have been lowered to 10mg. I have had 2 bone surveys and 2 pet scans and I have no tumors or lesions. I still receive IVIG every 4 wks and I am almost due for my pet scan etc. Docs say I look really good and they can't explain it even with the numbers being slightly elevated so they really don't want to put me through all that at this time. My quality of life is good for now. One of my maintenance meds also include cyclophosphamide 50 mg daily.

Yes there are days of fatigue and slight nausea along with neuropathy which seems to be my biggest issue right now. I know that God is keeping me and this really has made me learn how to lean totally on him. I have to take each day at a time. Every time I wake up I thank God and try to live that day to its fullest as though it was my last! WAITING!! And Living!


#KEEPPUSHING MADELON! Thank you for sharing. May God continue to bless you on this journey and in your life!

Take care of you!

What can you do to take care of you when you going through any Cancer treatment? Yes,chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplant can cause all kinds of side effects especially fatigue, nausea and vomiting. Just know there are days that will be better than others. When you have those good days take advantage of them. These treatments and diseases wreck havoc on our bodies but try to do what you can to make it stronger.

It is recommended that after surgery or other phases of treatment one should engage in 180 minutes of moderate exercise a week. In addition, add strength training 3 times a week. for those that have to be careful with your bones lessen your weights or use resistance bands. You can also engage in water aerobics. DON'T forget to stretch!

Are there other options? Yes there are. Integrative medicine which focuses on the whole person from a physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental perspective. These alternatives include mind body techniques, manipulative & body techniques, and energy therapies.

Mind body techniques: art therapy, meditation, hypnosis, and Tai chi. These alternatives help with mood, nausea, vomiting, pain, and knowledge.

Manipulative & body techniques: massage therapy, healing touch, reflexology, and qigong.

Energy therapies: healing touch, cranialsacral therapy, and acupunture. Before you engage in any of these intergrative therapies medicines please consult your physician! At least 38-60% of people are using these techniques without telling their doctor.

Lastly, diet and nutrition are important. You should be eating meals made up of whole and fresh fruits and vegetables, high  in fiber, high in omega-3 and try to decrease your intake of animal products. Regarding omega-3, it is best to eat fish rather than using flax seed.

Remember to take care of you and stay prayed up! It is known that a spiritual connection give a person a greater quality of life going through Cancer treatment! #Stayencouraged

Why is this important?

Some may want to know why increasing the awareness of blood cancers is important to me. Well because I have Multiple Myeloma. Understand that every 4 minutes someone is diagnosed with a blood cancer and every 10 minutes someone dies from a blood cancer. Nothing can get done if we all just sit down and be quiet. Well who is we? We- those that are diagnosed with any blood cancer, those who have a family member diagnosed with any blood cancer, or those who may have a friend that has a blood cancer. With the limited funding and no preventative tests for blood cancers, by the time a person goes to the doctor with symptoms they have Cancer.

These blood cancers could be Multiple Myeloma, Hodgkins-Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), and Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML)

For your healing or your loved one: According to information that I gathered at the 9^th Annual LLS Blood Cancer Conference it has been noted that a person with Cancer is known to do better if they have any type of spiritual connection. 

A prayer

A pastor recently diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma wrote this prayer: 

"Strong and Tender God, you are the source of all wholeness. Fill my heart with trust in your love, my mind with thoughts of your goodness, my spirit with hope, and my heart with joy. Give me courage to face pain, strength to carry weakness, and help, from you and other whom you send, to bear what I cannot bear alone. Use the drugs I take as agents of your; cause my body to receive them as good news of liberation from illness. Set my blood cells free from the burden of disease they carry and let them flow with energy and vitality. Make it possible for my bone marrow to work under conditions of freedom and for the sake of life, rather than under the tyranny of destruction and for the cause of death. Give me everything I need to live the life you are calling me to live; through Jesus, my Lord and Friend, Amen." 

Rev. Dr. Guy Sayles 

When things are looking down...remember

March is Myeloma Awareness Month

Been busy

I have been busy lately trying to do my part in raising awareness of blood cancers. I recently attended the 9th Annual Blood Cancer Conference give by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Dallas, TX. I received a lot of great information and took some free pamphlets as well. I am also proud to say that my friend that went in support of me signed up for the bone marrow registry! Not only did I attend the conference I sat on the panel for the age group 19-39. I also signed up to be an advocate with LLS in hopes that they contact me. Lastly, I finally emailed and submitted a story to Good Morning America, Robin Roberts. I have been in touch with the Sr. Director of the International Myeloma Foundation and with the information she provided in collaboration with my story, I hope and pray that GMA picks up this story in order to spread more awareness of all blood cancers.

Speak up

A little bit of inspiration

Let the awareness begin

September is a busy month for cancer awareness, 8 cancers are recognized. Out of those 3 of them are blood cancers (red ribbon): lymphoma (lime green ribbon), leukemia (orange ribbon), and myeloma (burgundy ribbon). I believe that all cancers deserve the same recognition and that is what I am setting out to do. Most people know that October is breast cancer awareness month. You will not be able to turn on the television, surf the internet, go to an NFL game, or even shop at a store without seeing pink ribbons or buying products that will contribute the proceeds to breast cancer research. Blood cancer awareness activities do not measure up. So, it is up to us that suffer from this disease and up to others that have friends or loved one that suffer from a blood cancer to push for more awareness and to raise money for research! The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is the organization over all blood cancers and International Myeloma Foundation is over only myeloma.

The American Cancer Society, estimated that 229,000 cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed in America in 2012 and 39,920 will die from breast cancer in 2012. As of 2008, there were 2.8 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S. By comparison, there are approximately 1 million blood cancers in the U.S. In 2012, it was estimated that 148,000 people were diagnosed with blood cancer (79, 192 lymphoma, 44,150 leukemia, and 21.700 myeloma), and 54.381 will die from blood cancer in the U.S.

As you see more people die from blood cancer annually. Blood cancer is grossly underpublicized and far too little money is spent on blood cancer research. The National Cancer Institute funded $635 million in research on breast cancer in 2011 but only $421.5 million  in combined blood cancer research ($227 million for leukemia, $13.3 million for Hodgkin lymphoma, $126.3 million for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and $54.9 million for myeloma).

Awareness is critically important to saving lives and to invoking the people and assets needed for better treatments and the cure. Awareness and education about symptoms helps save lives. Awareness is also to elicit people, companies, and resources into action to fund education and research. For almost every type of cancer there are organizations led by volunteers impacted by cancer. At the margin, your time, leadership, and fundraising contributions are likely to have more impact and be more appreciated.

You do not have to form an organization. You do not have to give away all your money to find a cure. But at some point make a small contribution or whatever you can to help others battling cancer. Whether it is assisting in the advancement of public awareness or knowledge, funding the search for better treatments, or talking to or mentoring people suffering from cancer. Do not do it just because it is the noble thing to do, but also do it if your own cancer returns or someone you love get diagnosed down the road there will be more effective or less toxic treatments available or even a cure. Do it because it is a way to be empowered and to lose the feeling of being victimized by cancer. Do it because you will be so many wonderful people and you will be given so many meaningful gifts that money cannot buy.

Cancer survivors in general and blood cancer survivors are too stoic and quiet. We need to make more noise and have our voices heard. Step out your comfort zone, call organizations to see what you can do to help it to increase awareness, start a blog, write a book, contact the media, whatever you want to do! Lymphoma, leukemia, and myeloma are underpublicized diseases. This must change and WE must change it!

I know what I am going to do to try to put the word out, what about you?

This post was an edited/paraphrased version of Scott Seaman's article on www.examiner.com

Thank you and acknowledgments

I would like to thank Minister Michelle Goodwine, from my church (Abundant Life Church-ALC) for helping me set up my blog and I would also like to thank my friend Tiffancy Barnes for coming up with the name "Blood Line" for the blog.