Diane Deming’s Battle with Cancer

My mother Diane Deming was diagnosed with multiple myeloma on August 1st, 2018. As many of you know, she’s a kind, caring, and loving individual who always puts her family and friends first -  willing to help anyone close to her.

My mom's story begins back in Dec. 2016 when she suffered a compression fracture in her spine. She received five more fractures, with the last being in June of 2018, at which time she went to see a specialist. Upon evaluation she was referred to a hematologist, Dr. Amy Spomer, and on August 1st Mom & I went to see Dr. Spomer for the final results – a day we will never forget.

We arrived to the doctor’s office and sat patiently, waiting for Dr. Spomer. When she arrived, she wasted no time in sharing the results of all the testing. It was a difficult moment as Mom and I held hands, and then the doctor said the words that still ring in my head to this day: “You have multiple myeloma.”

Once the initial shock wore off, we started talking about treatment. We were told that Mom would start treatment the following week; she wouldn’t have to do a drip IV hookup-based chemo, but rather a once-a-week treatment with a chemo shot, along with pills and steroids.

In November, Dr. Spomer referred Mom to a specialist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. Mayo is known for their myeloma treatment program, so we went to Rochester to meet with myeloma specialist Dr. Gertz. He reviewed her progress and concluded that she would be a candidate for a stem cell transplant with the goal of putting the cancer into remission. 

As of right now – February, 2019 – we've just begun her stem cell transplant journey, which will take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks to complete, depending on her body’s reaction to the treatment.

This page has been created to assist Mom with this journey through the transplant process, as well as post-transplant recovery. She will be spending the next 6 to 8 weeks away from home in a rental apartment near Mayo Clinic in Rochester MN. We have been fortunate enough to find people to come stay with her and be her caretakers during the coming weeks.

Unfortunately, her short-term disability recently ran out, and with each day something new in relation to her transplant is being added to the treatment plan – which is not covered by insurance. She does have long-term disability (which helps her retain 60% of her income), however even with this disability, the bills and costs associated with the transplant have started to accumulate.

Mom is truly the last person who would ever want to ask anyone for money, but this awful cancer has been one heck of a rollercoaster – physically, emotionally and financially. So, my close family members and I have decided to create a GoFundMe campaign to help with the increasing expenses, so that Mom can focus on getting though this grueling process without worrying about how she’s going to pay for everything.

If you are able to give, any size donation is deeply appreciated! All funds raised will be used exclusively to pay for Mom's Rochester living expenses, medical expenses that are not covered by insurance, and other expenses associated with her post-transplant recovery. At this point it is still unclear when she would be able to return to work.

We really appreciate you visiting this page and reading about her story. I’ll be posting updates as the transplant process moves forward, and I’ve also created a CaringBridge site that will be updated regularly as well, so please head over and check it out when you have a chance: https://caringbridge.org/visit/dianedeming2 

Please spread the word! And from the bottom of our hearts: THANK YOU. 

#cancersucks #cancerfighter #MyelomaWarrior



Brent J. Lindquist