Wow what a story. I too have MM, been thru chemo. Has been a year and a few months. I am receiving the stem cell transplant in 5 days. I am frightened, but I know it is the right thing to do. It has been an emotional rollercoaster like no other, Wish me luck, I will pray for you.

I liked how you said ‘once we were diagnosed…’ ! It really shows that it involves everyone in the family/ friends to get you through the other side. I wish you all the best.

My late fiance started with back pain, too! He had 13 lesions! I'm praying for a recovery..

Yes! Health insurance in the U.S sucks!!!

I hope you have a full and complete remission of your cancer…you and your wife have certainly proven you’re fighters! ✨

I wish people would say who their ins companies are. This is so important!

Insurance companies suck. One day they will have to answer to God for these things.

It's seven years since my diagnosis. Had three or four different chemo courses with not huge remission. Now I'm on Daratumumab and Dexamethazone (15 months) and enjoying the best I've been in the last seven years. Treatment is every four weeks now so I have about three weeks each month when I don't have to think about Myeloma. Still low immunity so have to avoid crowds (and close physical contact with strangers! Lol!). I rely on humor, swearing and praying to keep me from going into a funk. I have some pain but not bad - I have to find the balance. Don't like the bone marrow biopsy, but it gives me a captive audience for my terrible jokes! Good luck and blessings to my fellow sufferers. MM is all part of my life's rich tapestry so it can be lived with. I have a great team here in the UK, who have supported me all the way. I feel very lucky to still be here. ❤

Thank you for talking in detail about how insurance REALLY works.

Thank you for explaining exactly what you went through. You are so young to have to go through such terrible health issues. Thank goodness you are doing well now. I feel so bad that you have to deal with insurance companies. I live in Canada. I know a lot of Americans think that our Canadian health care system is terrible. A few years ago My husband went to the hospital with a bad cough. We did wait a long time in the Emergency Dept., but once we saw the doctor, things moved quickly. They gave him an X-ray. The doctor came to see us shortly after with the results. They saw a mass on his lung. We went home and the hospital called us the next day. He went back for an MRI. Three days later we saw a team of cancer specialists. They explained everything to us. He had a very aggressive lung cancer. They gave him 3 months to live and he lived exactly 3 months. His care was amazing. He had top cancer specialists. We don’t have to find our own doctors and don’t have to worry about how much it costs, and don’t have to worry about any paperwork. Everything is done for us. I can’t imagine the stress it must put on you to be so sick and having to worry about money. And insurance companies. They sent someone to our home to set up home care for when it was needed (no cost to us). We definitely do have some problems with our health care system, but I wouldn’t trade it for yours. My neighbor just had breast cancer. She had very aggressive surgery(all free). She even had free transportation to get her chemo treatments. She received amazing care. Of course we do pay for our health care through our taxes, but we all pay and we don’t feel it as it is deducted out of our paycheques automatically. I am so happy for you that you are doing well and hope you and your family live a long and happy life. Thank you for your very informative video. ❤️🇨🇦

This patient is very detail orientated. You've breaking it down in segments, God. Blessing.

This story is one of many that demonstrates why we need universal health care. These insurance companies are an insatiable hydra. No one should be price gouging or gatekeeping when it comes to people's health.

Thank you for sharing your story. My myeloma journey started in 2008 at age of 46. I remember driving to work one day (after my stem cell transplants) wondering if there will come a day where I feel normal and where I forgot I had C…. Happy to say that day came at least For a few hours. Lame insurance companies!!!

We are supporting several wars at the same time we cannot afford all these medical expenses!!

My husband went through some of those same medications that you mentioned earlier in the video. We are on Medicare. We did speak with a lady from the Financial area and she asked IF we were interested in a Scholarship to help pay for Treatment. A BIG YES. From the time he walked into the Oncology Unit and EVERY TEST, or MRI, biopsy, anything relating to his treatment, we NEVER received one BILL. I am saddened, to hear that your Hospital was going to STOP your Treatment because of INSURANCE. Just today I was told I have to have a Biopsy. After being my husbands SOLE CARE GIVER for 2 years with Multiple Myeloma, I am not really concerned of what it may be. However, IF it is CANCER, I also need a SCHOLARSHIP, because I am now just living on his SS. Also, did you know that MM is hereditary, more likely for a male to have it, but a female can as well. Unfortunately my husband is no longer with us. So for you, you are one of the lucky few. I wish you well, my husband is in a box sitting on my Mantle until our children can get time off from work to send him off.

I was diagnosed with MM on march 10 /23 suffering for back pain 5 years I’m into treatment for 4 months my oncologist wants me to get a BMT I’m in that process right now hoping my insurance cover this new treatment praying 🙏🏻 every moment .but I went yesterday for a hip biopsy it was painful in my case too😢wishing you a incredible recovery full of healing keep be strong 💪 it’s my mental state right now for the beginning of have been diagnosed it was awful 😢 took time for me to accepted this is a new day we are going to be better believe

First they make you find your own oncologist rather than referring you to someone which is what they should have done and then they say pay or die instead of helping you fight that miserable health insurance company! After all the money we pay for health insurance this is unacceptable!!!

My grandfather suffered Multiple myeloma in his elderly years. Watching him suffer was painful.

excellent presentation. Very well explained. May God be with you.

Thank you. You’re the first person I’ve heard that mentioned the rib, bone pain. Your story resonates with me. To help others I’ll say that my bone marrow biopsy was not as bad as yours. So others, please don’t be afraid. It might not be too bad for you. I’m now going to watch your other videos. Thanks again.

Thank you for sharing! I was diagnosed with MM IgM kappa June/July 2022 at the age of 40. I have a very similar story. Bless you!

I’m so sorry you had to go through so much stress in dealing with insurance. Hoping you have a complete recovery and can put worry and expense behind you for good!

THANK YOU FOR SHARING

really glad you're not in pain and recovered, nice job w/ the trials & tribulations.

Thank you so much for sharing your story! Blessings to you and your wife! ❤

Wow, so sorry you had to endure so much pain and frustration. Praying for complete healing. May God bless you and your wife.🙏🏽

What a wonderful smile! Blessings and long healthy life to you and yours!

That pain was crazy.. I was Sleep the first time, but the second time I was awake. And it's unbelievable

2021 my Son was out of breath weakness couldn't work went t doctor into hospital a year ..now doing kemo an now the cancer is in his arm they went into his back ..he's in so much pain.

So grateful and very thankful for your story Mr. Proctor!! God bless and stay golden :)

You have given a very specific presentation!! God Bless you and prayers for a full recovery

Oh my gosh, terrible story but loved loved your attitude and words of encouragement for others. May God continue healing you and keeping your family safe. ❤🙏

Absolutely shameful the insurance situation in the USA. Speaking from Australia, really so sad that what we used to think was a great country now makes you turn circles just trying to get your health insurance to cover what you need, it is really atrocious. You pay a fortune, then wait and fight to get your cover. I'm very sorry you need to go through this, Australia, NZ and the UK have excellent national health. It seems you have to fight for treatment even when you have expensive insurance. I hope as I write this you are getting the proper expert care you need.

Several members of my family, all women are living with multiple myeloma. Thank you for bravely posting this information. My dearest Mum was the first to be diagnosed. My sister and my second mum also has it. Live well daily and again thank you for sharing this information. I live in Canada. My sister was young enough to get a stem cell transplant. My Mum and a woman I adopted as my second mum were given an drug regiment. It costs between $5,000 - $15000 monthly but we have coverage through our current health system. They all had chemo as well. I get screened yearly for various forms of cancer as my Dad who is 93 now, had stomach cancer 26 years ago. I pray that you have the best possible journey as you continue to live with this change in your life. I'm happy that you have a living wife by your side. That is the strongest of medicines. Take care. I'm subscribing to your channel. Thanks again for sharing your experience

God bless you. 🙏💕 Thank you so much for sharing your myeloma story.

I appreciate your video. Thank you.

Good luck to you and good health

thanks for sharing your story. I love being in nature too! 🌲🌳🌲🌳

Here in New Zealand we just don’t have to worry about the cost, if we need treatment we get sent to the appropriate Consultant, who provides the care needed. It’s bad enough being sick without having to worry about cost, it’s appalling that you have to spend hours on the phone, stressing about money, when you need to rest. To me, this sounds cruel, I just don’t understand why the American people put up with this, especially the cost of medication. My Husband is diabetic, he pays nothing for his prescription drugs, and has excellent care, including diabetic monitoring from the practice nurse, regular doctor meetings, even free Optical and Foot care. My friend gets regular treatment for skin cancer lesions, she even gets help with transport costs!

Thank you, brother, for this video my sister has that same cancer.

Hard to imagine the doctor threatening to stop treatment without more money. It’s like Pay more or just die. Cruel and greedy.

I am currently on year 46 working in health insurance. The companies are soul sucking vats of greed. But everyone can contact the insurance commission dept in their state and lodge a complaint against the company. Also you usually get a customer service person usually based in another country who doesn't know or care. They run from a script and are annoying as hell. You need to get ahold of a case manager or the manager and deal with them. So sorry the world has to deal with them.

Wow. I just saw your story. First and foremost, I hope you are well and happy. The diagnosis, scary as hell. The insurance, an absolute unnecessary nightmare. I love how you speak of you and your wife. What an asset for your well being. I wish you both the very best. You both are so strong, resilient and smart. God bless both of you.

OMG! WISHING YOU THE BEST. AND HOPING I DONT HAVE THAT ALTHOUGH THE SYMPTOMS SEEM TO BE SIMULAR.

God bless you and your family. I wish I got to see the rest of your story. It cut off at you wondering how your stem cell transplant was going to be financed. Is there a Part 2?

I'm so sorry about the trouble you went through with your insurance. I thought it was kind of odd also that you said the spine Dr. told you that you needed to find an oncologist asap. I thought the Dr's office would refer you to an oncologist or two and help you navigate the administrative side. It's a good thing you are an intelligent and articulate person but how stressful to have to figure out the system while trying to beat this awful disease. I wish you a very successful journey and outcome.

I have stage 3 multiple myeloma 2 years now with 3 tumors on my spine from the cancer. I decided to do the shots in my stomach instead of the port. And I also take revlimid pills 3 times a week.

Insurance is such a rip off...so sorry you had to go thru this. We need universal GOOD health care. None of us have catastrophic insurance only rich people. Crazy

Universal free, healthcare should be a guaranteed right EVERYWHERE!

My Cousin passed on today, he fought so hard. He was only 37 , it's do sad. He was still working in April.

Thank you for sharing God bless you and yours.. Dr's really don't care. I'm dealing with alot and seems like I don't have a voice..

I have back pain too , its not severe . I can walk freely right now but its been 2 years since i have that . I am quite obese too

Very much a waste of your precious time and money not to have an MRI Wo/W Contrast! When iI was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2021. I had to wait months to complete MRI, CT and PET SCAN! You are very brave to go through a bone marrow biopsy. How could anyone go through this w/o going under anesthesia? When you were already in severe pain. How are you doing at this time?

3:27 I have 4 sisters and I’m the baby’s, although I’m 54yrs old. My second older sister was diagnosed August 2023 with Multiple Myeloma 3rd stage, and it was recommended that my sisters and I be tested. My older sister was negative, my 3rd older sister was positive January 2024 2nd stage and then it there was myself and my tests came back positive, I will find out what stage 3/26/2024. I am so nervous scared however be it that we are experiencing life changing situations we will be each other’s support system. Thank you for sharing! God Bless you!!

Insurance is ridiculous and unacceptable.

The oncologist cared about money more than this poor gentleman suffering because of MM.

I had no symptoms. Mine was found on an MRI for abdominal pain (non related). Bless you.

WOW this makes me so grateful for our NHS in the UK. We all contribute through our tax deductions, it was set up after WW2 to ensure everyone had access to health care ❤ wishing you well 😘

Thank You so much for sharing,Such A help. XXXXXXXXX

Hello! Gregory Proctor. He relates his health struggles, treatment, and financial burden so well. He reminds me of Ben Carson, the retired neurosurgeon, academic, author, and politician. Health Care. I really dont know what the best solution is to our failing system but I realize we are in a desperate need of an overhaul. Our present health care is unsustainable. The patient has to jump through hoops in order to get any care. It is like a monster that is out of control. I dont like the Canadian system either where the medical profession tries to play God deciding who is worthy of attention n who isn't.

I was diagnosed mm in 2018. ,Firstly gave me chemotherapy 16 . Then went to a transplant of born marrow . Since then two years I was given thelidomide and after stop ed the treatment when reports S. PROTEEN ELETROPOROCISE...nomal. Thank you for explaining .

Your doctor should have given you the referral.

Totally agree with the bone marrow biopsy OUCH

Exactly how my son in laws symptoms started.

Thank you lord 🙌

I lost my beloved doctor to this sneaky disease. Hang tight and blessings ❤🙏🙏🙏

We’d love to hear from you: what stories do you want us to cover? Leave us a comment below 👇 Want to share your story 👉 www.thepatientstory.com/share-your-story/?KZfaq&

I have had MGUS for 20 years. I am 76 yrs old and my fear is that this will flare its head up and my insurance won’t cover me due to my age s this affects more elderly than young.

Do you mind sharing where you were treated and if you recommend them? I’m in San Antonio as well. Thank you!

My sister also had MM. Unfortunately she passed away on the 23May 2023😢

Wait, wait, wait, isn't illegal to refuse medical treatment because of lack of payment?

It becomes a very real issue of paying for Private Health when on an Aged Pension. The premiums have double since we retired, we are holding in there but for how long I don't really know. Considering I personally havehad private health insurance since birth, without fail over my 70 years.

I have severe pain in my low back exactly where you did. It won't subside. Nothing helps, stretching or physical therapy. I have pain at the right low back/right hip or buttocks, inner groin, and it feels like the bony area where I sit on my right cheek is tender. Sitting makes it severe. Moving seems to help it for a while. I have lost weight to the tune of 30 pounds since last april. My bowels have been different ... hard to evacuate or fully go. I am all out of whack. Any suggestions? TY for your story!! God Bless.

I pray God heels you.

Damn insurance, that's why if I ever become terminally ill or whatever, just give me something for pain and let me go. I'm not gonna pay them thousands of dollars to live. I'm gonna get Jesus' life assurance.

Sorry the radiologist presented this to you. Indeed the possible malignancy should have been shared, but the conversations needed to be with the primary, an appointment set up with a cancer center if possible and primary can get you into an oncologist asap. Any health issue requiring long term treatments is financial devastating. I am experiencing cancer number two. Discussing your experience is really helpful for folks going through this; there are hard decisions to be made, and one just has to put on the warrior suit and just do it.

This is just heartbreaking!!! If i were to get sick like this, i have no extra money, limited income, or a very good insurance....they will let me DIE!!!😢😢

How was your experience with the bone marrow biopsy?

You dont need fruits and sugars. Prlong fasting and kito, what you need.

They started doing epidurals on me my lower back, I was diagnosed Multiple MYELOMA on 1-12-2024 from a bone marrow biopsy

I too have multipl myeloma. It seems to me that the variant of multiple myeloma that has afflicted Greg is particularly virulent.

Wow! This makes me scared! It also makes me even more sure that only God can cure the ills of mankind.

I have a lytic lesion and just had a bone biopsy today . This all sucks !

His chemotherapy medication was $22,500 per week!? In lieu of universal healthcare, the costs of medication, treatment, tests and hospital stays need to be brought down to reasonable levels!

What a story!!!! What about the stem cell did your insurance pay??

Did your lab work show anything?

I would never never do a bone biopsy never!

I am horrified regarding your treatment from both the Insurance company and your Oncologist.

I’m sooooo sorry for the money tragedy , thank god I live in Australia where this doesn’t happen Your country needs to become empathetic I’m so very very sorry 💔💔💔

What did your blood work look like?

Any outcome???

I have this and I have multiple fractures in my vertebrae it started in my lower back to. I found out I have developed six more this year how do you stop the fractures?

❤

Insurance companies are the worst

Losing weight ..taking 12 pills. I feel so helpless

Why can't everybody in America can't get free health insurance? Why he didn't get the government insurance like lots of people have? This poor man has to go through while he is fighting cancer smh. Why can you all vote for someone who will give everyone free insurance? It's different in Europe, especially in France. It's shameful. I hope that you are doing well

It's hard to really grasp what Americans go through when it comes to healthcare. It's bizarre and awful that you have to hunt down your own specialists, hospitals, and treatments. And if that wasn't bad enough, you then have to haggle to have it all paid for. It's like a nightmare. Truly dystopian. Where I live, you go to a general practitioner - any one will do, doesn't have to be some kind of personal physician - and they refer you to the specialists at your local public hospital for further investigation. Those specialists then organises everything. Blood tests, scans, surgeries, tests, treatments, etc. All of that is done in that same local hospital, and the patient doesn't have to plan or think about any of it. It's all done for you - and it's all free. I feel incredibly sorry for Americans, having to live with such a barbaric system 😢

That’s American insurance, delay, delay, delay until you’re dead.

Your story about the financial impact is shocking to someone who lives in a country where there is universal health care (Australia). I cannot understand how a first world country can not have universal health care.

M-spike of >6000?