How I Found Hope After Being Diagnosed with an Incurable Cancer

How I Found Hope After Being Diagnosed with an Incurable Cancer | Valarie's Multiple Myeloma Story

Рет қаралды 34,245

Күн бұрын

Valarie has always been a down-to-earth person, finding joy in her family, friends and church. But after getting severe nosebleeds, feeling extreme fatigue and unable to recover from the flu, she knew something was wrong. She was then diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer that begins in the bone marrow, and fear overwhelmed her.
As a cancer survivor, her goal is to learn more about the disease, educate others and bring light to health inequity. She wants to use her voice for those who cannot speak up for themselves to ensure that they receive equitable access to good healthcare, clinical trials and proper treatment.
Full story & transcript → www.thepatientstory.com/patie...
The interview has only been edited for clarity.
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Contents of the Video:
00:00 - Intro
01:57 - Describe your first symptoms
09:00 - Getting the diagnosis
10:58 - How did you process the diagnosis?
12:42 - Learning about multiple myeloma
13:48 - Deciding to get a second opinion
21:17 - Treatment
25:04 - Induction therapy
25:37 - Describe your side effects
30:24 - Expectation setting
32:24 - Dealing with insurance issues'
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#cancerstories #cancerpatient #cancersurvivor #patientstories #thepatientstory #mmsm #multiplemyeloma #myeloma #advocate #stemcelltransplant

Пікірлер: 65

@ThePatientStory Жыл бұрын

We’d love to hear from you: what was the biggest lesson you learned in your own cancer diagnosis? Leave us a comment below 👇

@user-uv2pf4sc6t 6 ай бұрын

My Son has painful arms feels like it's broken ..loss weight weakness I feel so helpless I n😢 need help

@saffloweroyl3663 Жыл бұрын

My husband was given a 2 year prognosis and lived 15. Have faith in the doctors and new drugs in development. My best best best to you.

@ThePatientStory Жыл бұрын

We are so sorry to hear that. Thinking about you

@charlottekluever180 Жыл бұрын

My dear brother passed away in 2013 after being diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1998. So glad to know there are new treatments out there. He was only 65. Cancer is a cruel disease.

@ThePatientStory Жыл бұрын

I am so sorry to hear this. Cancer is such a cruel disease. It is very inspiring to see the new treatments and research that is happening in the cancer space, specifically with multiple myeloma. Thank you for so much for watching and sharing your story.

@leece_6702 Жыл бұрын

There must be different forms of it, as my mother-in-law has had it for years (low level not needing treatment) And only now in her 70s has she needed treatment, oral chemo with few side effects

@charlottekluever180 Жыл бұрын

@@leece_6702 my brothers cancer was slow burning too. He got sick with pneumonia and died very quickly.

@michelsooriah692 Жыл бұрын

After 15 years

@annettehenry2083 Жыл бұрын

@@leece_6702 I believe its called smoldering myeloma, as I recall its a watch and wait situation until it changes into fully blown multiple myeloma.

@paulmader 2 ай бұрын

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in the summer of 2023. I fell down the stairs and they took a cat scan at the ER. That is how I found out that I had cancer. I had lytic lesions all over my body. Also, a few days before, I had been using a weed wacker, and it broke my L2 vertebrae. It had become brittle and just shattered. Later, I got vertebro plasty for it. That is how I found out. God bless this beautiful lady for sharing her story! I hope I share mine someday.

@bobs1356 Жыл бұрын

Shirley here, there are quite a lot of people on you tube who have your type of cancer and survived. Don't give up at all.

@cheriedewald914 Жыл бұрын

You are so gentle spirited and speak so calmly and openly. I really hope and pray for the best for you. You would make a good inspirational speaker of maintaining calm in the midst of a storm. ❤️🙏

@nadifouldi3131 6 ай бұрын

What a lovely and sweet lady, going through her predicament with courage and grace!

@linda.p.8540 Жыл бұрын

Thank you Valarie. My husband, 75 and in good shape, was diagnosed with MM and kidney failure along with one heart attack in July 2022. We got no good news at all until November when we were told his cancer count was way down. Of course he has dialysis three times a week too. He is treated at a nearby VA facility and we have much help from doctors at the VA in Durham, NC and Duke. We have been very lucky with treatment and costs. Otherwise it has been a STRUGGLE. He is not a candidate for a stemcell transplant. Thank you for your report of personal experience with MM. I wish you the BEST! Love to you from Virginia.

@ThePatientStory Жыл бұрын

Linda, thank you for your well wishes to Valarie and sharing some of your own experience. Sending you and your husband hugs! -Stephanie

@josephtyson4228 8 ай бұрын

Thanks Valerie for that very informative and inspiring message. You have truly given me some faith and hope. I too have been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and my symptoms are very similar to yours. I am 71 years old and was told 20 years ago that I had anemia but wasn’t severe. No I am taking infusions treatments at Emory in Atlanta. I have severe shortness of breath, some edema in legs, neuropathy in feet, A fib, and very slight mucus of blood coming out of nose each day. I have had to have on three separate occasions, Exploratory Laparotomy surgeries in which my doctors informed my wife and I that due my age and underlying conditions that I may not make. Oh but God seen us through. All the praise and thanksgiving goes to him. My devoted wife and caregiver has been in nursing for over 40 years and she has been very supportive and instrumental in every effort! If you read this comment, please let me know if your breathing significantly improved after the Stem Cell Transplant surgery. Again, thanks for all that you do because God is still blessing you for helping others!

@joannaspieszna6863 Жыл бұрын

Hello Valarie, how are you? Thank you for sharing your story. I love how calm, gently and eloquently you’re able to describe your experiences. Wishing you all the best and a healthy future ❤

@nibeam9251 7 ай бұрын

What an incredibly strong and inspirational Woman.

@fernemcallister6774 Жыл бұрын

There’s something about you I like. If you were next door, we’d be friends. ❤

@Lisa_BisaRN Жыл бұрын

Such a beautiful lady with helpful advice. ❤

@colorcreatively Жыл бұрын

Thank you for sharing your story, Valerie....very beautiful calming voice......

@snowartmom 4 ай бұрын

Yes, you need help. the people from church have been so much help. They amazed me with in measurable love and service, and prayers always. My family helped a lot and I received service and love from everyone at my husband’s work. Also, love and help from wonderful friends. The healthcare workers epitomized what care meant. Let people help. They really want to. I am overwhelmed and heartened when I take a minute to count my blessings from these angels in my journey. If you don’t know what to do for someone prayers and visits are always welcome. I had to learn not to hold back when I needed help, and just ask. Everyone was happy to help. Best wishes to Valarie on her treatment. Thanks for sharing.

@djvan1695 Ай бұрын

I'm sorry to read about your diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma 😢 You must have a very good primary care doctor. She suspected the problem very early! I was diagnosed in 2014, but had been to my PC, a nephrologist for kidney issues, an orthopedic Dr. for the unbearable back pain, a holistic Dr. and not one of them recognized the myeloma. Even the orthopedic Dr. missed the two very large lytic lesions in my iliac that were staring in his face. It wasn't until I had another CT scan for the kidney stones (they are the scourge of my life) that my urologist told me I likely had myeloma. It turned out to be stage 3, and there is no stage 4. And then it was off to the races. Chemo (Revlimid, Velcade and Dex) for 4 months and a stem cell transplant there after. I was in remission until 2 years ago, now it's back on the chemo. The bone damage by now is significant. The Oncologist loads me up with pain meds, and sees me once every 4 months. Also, blood work is not helpful since I am a "non-secretor" which means my numbers on labs do not accurately reflect the picture of my progress or lack thereof. I feel badly sharing all of this, I don't mean to hijack this precious lady's story, but I am old now, I live alone and my children are very busy with their own lives. It just feels good to share with others who understand!

@iloveshaakah 3 ай бұрын

Excellent informative down to earth video.

@lisa_the160 Жыл бұрын

My mom had this nasty disease,she had some good treatment but the chomo give her another cancer,this month she would be 76 rip joyce ferguson

@ladybugwest909 Жыл бұрын

Awesome lady!

@sstringa Жыл бұрын

My uncle survived Multiple Myeloma after being sent home to die. He tried chemo, steroid treatments and stem cell replacements which all failed him. I am not gonna push alternative treatments as people within the medical system seems to believe the failed system will help them.

@audreyquinn73 6 ай бұрын

Thank you so much for sharing your story. In the last month, my mother (aged 71), my best friend's husband (55 y.o.), and my neighbour's sister(56 y.o) have all been diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. It's heart-wrenching to have so many people suffering from this little known cancer. I'm trying to learn as much as I can so that I can understand this disease better and learn about treatment options. The crazy thing is, as you said, nobody talks about Myeloma. We've all heard of Leukemia, which is another type of blood cancer, but until very recently, I had never heard of this disease before. Your video is so important. Thank you and God bless you! Sending you all my love from Ireland. ❤❤❤

@DanielNotDeadYetThomas 5 ай бұрын

It may be because it is also known as bone cancer. Years ago people mostly found out when their back broke. I was diagnosed in 2008, have had about 11 years of chemo now, (they just watched it for 5 years or so) but am still going. After all this time they are saying I am in remission finally. I'm turning 60 this summer. This cancer is a long term battle, but they are getting better every year, I know from personal experience.

@tracywilliams61 Жыл бұрын

That was almost identical to my diagnosis of myeloma

@dawnanngallagher6389 Жыл бұрын

Valerie looks so healthy and beautiful and full of spunk it’s hard to believe she has the diagnosis she has. Perhaps because of her faith, family and personality. I’m glad the GP didn’t write off her back pain and bloody nose as typical z I’m glad blood work was done immediately and doctors were proactive. It is shocking to me that Black women in the 21 st Century are losing when it comes to cancer because they aren’t taken as seriously as I would be as a White woman, Black women in many cases don’t have access to proper medical care and they can’t miss work or they lose their job, no rent, food, daycare, etc and may not know how to navigate. Besides doctors telling us it’s stress come back in a few months, exercise, deep breathing exercises. My prayers are with you Valerie and you are incredibly inspiring. You lose love, sweetness and kindness.

@jennifer6922 10 ай бұрын

My mom was a white women who was ignored and then two years ago told she had lung liver and bone cancer. She was 59 She died 11 days later. She did at home hospice and I stayed there with her the last 4 days of her life. She was asleep the entire time. I never really got to say goodbye. I am now 40 with two adult children of my own and am in complete fear that I have esophageal cancer. It runs in the family. Also my step father had it and beat it. Then it takes his wife brother and both sisters.

@jennifer6922 10 ай бұрын

And we are all white. They were on disability. I have multiple health issues and pain rules my every waking moment to some level or another. Pills run my day n dictate what I can or can't do that day or that hour. I am a single mother after spending 19 years with their father who was very toxic and very abusive and cheated stole from me and used me. Now I'm poor and I live with my disabled father and my step mother and it's another type of hell here. I have no money, no car, no home. And I had all those things just 5 years ago. Yet the abusing cheating walk away dead beat dad(he hasn't been in our kids lives since the day he walked out my door and moved in with her the same day. It's been 4 years. And I struggled with all those health issues for years before I finally kicked his cheating ass out after forgiving him twice already. So he knew how bad off we would be. We were just free rent for 17 years from living in a home my dad owned. He got to drive all my cards and fuck up my health and home and kids childhood. He didn't care. So now all I have is my daughter too and yet I don't want to be what holds her back trying to take care of me if I have cancer on top of everything else I struggle everyday with. But she's also scared to death to lose me as I'm really all the family she's got other than my son. So yeah as you can see it's not Jusy a black woman problem.

@pamelaholden9576 4 ай бұрын

❤❤😢 You’ve had a very rough go, and my heart breaks for you. Sometime we get the very shortest end of the stick 😂. My prayers are with you that the Son would shine on your life and restore all that the enemy has stolen from you. That your health would be restored, your pain demenished, and finances would be righted. Forgiveness was very difficult for me, but holding on to and being bitter about all the dirty dealings my ex did to me and our son caused added stresses to an already horrible existence. Health issues that kept pain at the forefront of my life were worse. Internal stress caused strife with all those who did love and care for us. Honey I could go on for days…. But because I actually heard and then understood the gospel I realized how could I not forgive him when I had been forgiven of SO MUCH more wrongs (sin) I had done. Don’t get me wrong this didn’t happen overnight, it was a process. Let the forgiveness of God through Jesus Christ become a reality in your life. Let God implant His peace in your life. 🙏🏽🙏🏽❤

@maxinebellows741 11 ай бұрын

My fiance was diagnosed and lived only 5 years as his dr predicted. But, thank God not everyone is alike! 😊

@3Davy 8 күн бұрын

How old was she,my father also died.

@maxinebellows741 8 күн бұрын

58@@3Davy

@3Davy 8 күн бұрын

@@maxinebellows741 My father was 81 after 3 mounts of diagnose.The cancer was better but he was in fected by the flu and i think my brother has infected him.I feel verry depressed almost more than a year and half.

@californiadoll6273 Жыл бұрын

All these stories are so interesting. I also love that these video's aren't sponsored. Never stop. (Only suggestion is do more male interviews)

@ThePatientStory Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much watching! Please let us know if there are any topics that would be helpful for us to cover!

@eileenwatt8283 9 ай бұрын

@@ThePatientStory pl Please have a oncologist on to explain the difference between myloma and melanoma. I thought she had skin cancer at first

@udayadiasnagahawatte8442 Жыл бұрын

Thanks your explanation .I suffered from multiple myloma and after diagnosed it 16 chemotherapy given to me . Then planed to make stem cell transplant . In 2021 made the transplant at Maharagama Apeksha hospital SriLanka ,transplant unit by Dr. Prasad Abeysingha and his kind staff . Now I m not having treatment became usual possession .

@roxinebolling6398 Жыл бұрын

Hi Valerie, I have MM and now in remission. Your story is similar to mind really. The only difference is am 71. I was very active and now I can’t do much. Can you tell me how do I get my strength back. All I hear is it takes time.

@audreyquinn73 6 ай бұрын

My mom has just been diagnosed with MM and she is 71. I live in Ireland and she's at the home place in California. It's so difficult to be so far away. I'm praying for your and her swift recovery. God bless you. ❤

@lisa_the160 Жыл бұрын

As for me i had breast cancer dr lewis at kings county hospital in new york had me with lump in my breast for years telling me i was too young till one day i he told me you are stage 4, i take my papers and went too mount sinie in manhattan god bless them turn out i am not stage 4, its been 8 years now, they help me at sinie but after 2 years i it the road, i take mushroom d3 turmeric b17 500mg selenium, zinc and the list goes on

@eileenwatt8283 9 ай бұрын

You should sue him for fraud. Ask for all your medical records from you been going there. Going forward keep a record of every labwork in your file at home

@audreyquinn73 6 ай бұрын

How devastating! I'm so sorry to hear what you've been through. Thank you for listing vitamins that may help. So appreciate your sharing this information. God bless you! Sending love and prayers from Ireland. ❤

@Katie-vy5rd Жыл бұрын

How long did those flu like symptoms last?

@michelles9897 Жыл бұрын

💖

@alrahbimom Жыл бұрын

I am struggling. I have non secretory MM. meaning it doesn’t show up in a bone marrow sample. Only way is to do MRI to see the growth of my tumors. It’s a hassle and insurance denies my request. My doctors hardly understand this non traditional myeloma. I moved to another state to be closer to my family for a stem cell transplant. I had just finished chemo before my move. I moved near my parents and found doctors and I regret moving to Louisiana! The cancer health care here is a joke! I’m on my four Dr. many tell me I’m remission. I do not have cancer. To get anything approved takes me constantly nagging the Office. I can deal with the cancer if my insurance just behaved!

@lenoragardner4947 11 ай бұрын

I also have secretory and it took so long to be diagnosed and also I feel afraid just was told I am in remission but I don’t feel like it real , I will be looking into a second opinion

@lenoragardner4947 11 ай бұрын

If you mind me asking are in remission! I am in so much pain

@MrsTuckermp 5 ай бұрын

I’m from Louisiana the health care is a joke. Ochsner is the worst 3 years of multiple misdiagnoses. Recently 5 doctors quit in 3 days. I’m having to start all over. Trying to find doctors who will take me out of state.

@annaxium4780 Жыл бұрын

I’d love to talk with you. I just am about to start

@biancadesousa Жыл бұрын

Jesus has the interviewer ever dealt with a family member who had cancer or even know what cancer patients go through? She’s very insensitive at times. Interrupting her, smiling while she asks about someone’s incurable cancer

@ThePatientStory Жыл бұрын

I had cancer, myself, yes. I’m lucky to be able to call Valarie a friend. I appreciate the feedback. The good news is you are free to watch other channels if my style doesn’t resonate with you. Take care. -Stephanie

@Katie-vy5rd Жыл бұрын

@@ThePatientStory i thought you were absolutely fantastic. Take good care ❣

@audreyquinn73 6 ай бұрын

@@ThePatientStory Thank you for posting this interview. We need this information. My mother has just been diagnosed and I found this interview very helpful. I especially think it's important to mention getting counselling whilst going through this disease as a means to help with the mental health issues that can arise. Just prior to her diagnosis of MM, my mother was also diagnosed with Depression. She's dealing with a double blow now, and I live 8000 kms away in Ireland so there's very little I can do except learn as much as possible about treatment options so that I can pass onto her that knowledge. God bless you. Both Valerie and you are so inspirational. I'm so scared. I cannot even begin to imagine what my mom is going through right now. I don't want to burden her with my fears, so I'm putting on a brave face (and so is she!). Thank you. Knowledge is power in this situation. ❤