In 2003, Kathy Wilson, a former high school French teacher, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at the age of 55. Six months later, she was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare disease that can occur in some multiple myeloma patients.

“Back in 2003, very few doctors knew what amyloidosis was, had ever seen it, or treated it. I dare say that a lot of doctors had never even seen the word or read anything about it,” stated Wilson.

Amyloidosis is a disease that affects organs such as the heart, liver and kidneys. It …

Kay Cromie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2003 and is a firm believer that every myeloma patient needs to be their own advocate.

“It’s important to know enough about the disease so that when you start treatments, you can track your progress…Some people say their doctor will tell them everything they need to know, but you have to be your own advocate,” said Cromie.

Based on her own experiences with myeloma as well as experiences of other myeloma patients, she has developed a set of tips for being your own advocate. …

Kay Cromie, a bookkeeper and office manager from Burlington, Vermont, led a relatively normal and healthy life, until she was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on November 1, 2003.

Cromie was never prone to getting sick, and she worked out regularly at the gym to stay in shape. However, after turning 50, she noticed that she was getting tired during her workouts and could no longer lift weights with as much ease as before, prompting her to see a doctor.

“They ran some blood tests. All my numbers were dangerously low,” said Cromie. …

This article describes a myeloma patient’s experience participating in a clinical trial. It is part of a series of articles intended to help clarify the clinical trial process.

In August 2008, Phil Brabbs was diagnosed with smoldering myeloma, which most physicians do not treat until symptoms begin and the disease progresses to multiple myeloma. After more than a year of physicians carefully reviewing his blood work, Phil’s smoldering myeloma progressed to multiple myeloma, and his physicians wanted to begin treatment.

Phil’s doctor suggested that he participate in a clinical trial that would …

This article describes a myeloma patient’s experience participating in a clinical trial. It is part of a series of articles intended to help clarify the clinical trial process.

Don was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2004. At the age of 69 and despite living with a cancer that attacks his bones, Don inspires fellow myeloma patients by running in marathons. He has completed three marathons so far this year, is running in one tomorrow, and plans on participating in three to four more marathons just this year. Additionally, Don maintains a blog …

Pat Killingsworth, a former social studies teacher and real estate agent from Wisconsin, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma three years ago. “You try to find meaning when you’re 51 years old and somebody says you have cancer and are going to die in three to four years,” said Killingsworth.

“What are you going to do with three to four years? I decided I wanted to write two or three books to help cancer patients. I wanted to help them speed up that learning curve so they could make better treatment decisions.”

Killingsworth …

Phil Brabbs, a software product manager and former kicker for the University of Michigan football team, was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma the day after his 28th birthday. “At 28, looking at my son who was two, you think, ‘Will this kid ever remember me?’ It was really frightening,” he said.

“To get a cancer diagnosis when it seems like you’re doing everything right – you don’t smoke, you drink modestly, you exercise – it was quite shocking. But I don’t think it took more than a week or two for me …