Jackie's Journey (Beating Multiple Myeloma)

Hi, My name is Beverly and I fundraising for my cousin. Read her story and consider donating.

Jackie’s Journey

(Beating Multiple Myeloma one day at a time!)

Family, and friends, please keep me lifted up in prayer as I embark upon this journey that God has set before me. I gladly accept the challenge and the opportunity to prove that God is still in charge and in control over my life.

On November 9, 2021, I received a frantic phone call from my physician pleading with me to go to the hospital. He told me to tell them that he ran labs, and my creatinine was 7.5 and needed them to be re-run as he believed it was an error, especially since I had no symptoms. The hospital re-ran my labs, and my creatinine level was 6.8, and of course, I was immediately admitted, with kidney failure. My kidneys were only functioning at 8% (normal creatinine is 0.4-1.0). On November 15, 2021, I was diagnosed by a team of doctors at Duke Raleigh Hospital with Multiple Myeloma. I received my first dose of chemotherapy on November 18, 2021, and was released the following day, November 19, 2021, for a total of ten days in the hospital.

Multiple Myeloma is a type of cancer that begins in the bone marrow which can cause the bone to weaken and lead to fractures. That’s exactly what happened to me. I could barely walk, let alone stand up straight. I had fractures in my L1, L2, and L3 discs due to myeloma. On December 21, 2021, I had a procedure called Lumbar Kyphoplasty. The procedure consisted of a paste-like substance injected by radiologists between each area, which hardened like cement. When the anesthesia wore off, the pain in my L1, L2, and L3 was gone, and I have been pain and fracture-free ever since.

While Multiple Myeloma is not curable, it is TREATABLE! I’ve completed four cycles of chemotherapy; I’m currently preparing for a stem cell transplant in mid-May, wherein I will be in the hospital for a minimum of three weeks as I journey through the stem cell transplant process.

April 11, 2022, was my last chemotherapy treatment before the stem cell transplant. I’m excited and yet nervous at the same time. My kidneys are back to normal, as my creatinine levels have been fluctuating from 1.1.-to 1.5. My faith in God is what has brought me through thus far, and I know that He will continue to do so.

Not being able to work has been challenging during this time, because the bills don’t stop coming because you are sick, in fact, you end up with more bills. Being a single woman living alone has also been challenging during this time. I thank God for my family how they have been here for me during my journey thus far. I try not to overwhelm them as they have lives of their own, but I do love and appreciate them enormously.

Unfortunately, it costs to be sick, and co-pays and medications are on the rise more than ever before, just look at the news. I will be traveling from Raleigh to Durham for tests about every day in preparation for a stem cell transplant in May. I will be at Duke University Hospital as mentioned above, but so much has to be done prior to admission. Various tests to make certain that my organs are strong enough to withstand the high dosage chemotherapy that’s part of the stem cell transplant process have to be performed. Medications are expensive, and copays stack up weekly.

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has been extremely instrumental in assisting me in covering medication co-pay costs. I was blessed to receive a grant in the amount of $13,000 for the medication Revlimid, which I have to take for the rest of my life. I will have to reapply each year for this grant, but I am grateful to be a recipient of the grant and the work that the LLS does to help cancer patients.

Stay tuned as I will be documenting my stem cell transplant journey for several reasons: 1) as a constant reminder to me that God is who He says He is 2) to help others who may have to go through this same process, and 3) to help the medical profession document the process along with symptoms and side effects of my specific disease and treatment.

If any of you or a friend or family member has experienced multiple myeloma or any other type of cancer, you know what the physical and emotional challenges are like. It’s not easy, but we overcome because our survival instincts kick in and take over. People ask me how I can be so positive, and I respond by saying “what’s the alternative?” God has me wrapped in His loving arms, and I don’t intend to let go until He says my time is up. Enjoy life to the fullest while you can because this afternoon isn’t promised to us, let alone tomorrow!