Coffee with All4Cure - Gloria

In 2002 my back began bothering me. I was in the process of moving and also played golf, so I thought between those two things something was causing my back pain. I went to see a chiropractor but unfortunately, it only made my back worse. I went to the hospital for the pain and it was there that I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. After my diagnosis, my daughter brought me to Washington where I began treatment. That was 19 years ago and I've been in remission for 18 years after my stem cell transplant. I'm now 84 and I could still mow my own lawn if I wanted to! That being said, my great-granddaughter needs the money so I let her mow it for me. I feel very fortunate about my remission because I have not had a relapse. My glass is always half-full. For me, having a good and positive attitude is so important.

Although my back sometimes limits me, I am still able to do everything myself. I love to travel. In 1995, I bought a motorhome and I traveled around the US. I visited the Grand Canyon and Utah. I was proud of myself for doing it alone, I only had two situations I can remember where I asked for help from another person. Usually, it was when I didn’t have enough muscle. Since selling the motorhome I really enjoy going on cruises with my friends. We’ve done the Panama Canal, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean to name a few. Unfortunately, the Coronavirus put a stop to that and most of my social activities. I really miss getting lunch with my friends and meeting with my book club. On nice days we can meet outside and stay a ways apart but I am still pretty leery. As long as my remission has been, as a myeloma patient I can still get very sick. These days I often stay home with my little Havanese dog.

As someone with a long remission, I want to provide people some solace with my story. Myeloma is scary, but it's not unconquerable.