Eve’s Story

In early 2003 at the age of 38, I noticed that my blood pressure was slightly elevated and that I was constantly tired. Because I’m a mom who works full-time, I didn’t think much about it, and certainly never thought that cancer might be the cause. In February of that same year a urine test revealed an elevated protein level, and soon I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.

My initial treatment was taking dexamethasone for four months. Then in August 2003, I had an autologous stem cell transplant. My doctor suggested I take a six month leave from work, but I was back full-time within six weeks of my transplant. In April 2004, I underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplant with my brother as a donor. Again my doctor suggested a long leave absence from work, but once more was back in the office working full-time within six weeks of the transplant.

My myeloma remained stable until March 2006. At that time, with a recurrence of the myeloma, I began a Phase III Clinical Trial taking a combination of Revlimid and dexamethasone. So far, I have had tremendous results with this course of treatment.

From the time of my initial diagnosis, rather than ask “Why is this happening to us?”, my husband and I have always asked “What lessons are we supposed to learn from this?” Instead of just focusing on raising our two children, my husband and I have gotten involved in making a contribution to a larger community.

I consider cancer a call to action, and have tried to recognize the opportunities that myeloma has brought to my life. I have met many amazing people, those that are also patients, and those that are friends, family members, caregivers, and professionals dealing with myeloma patients.

Oddly, since being diagnosed with myeloma, I have finally felt a genuine and meaningful purpose to my life. I am proud to have founded the MMCF, and look forward to many years of successful fundraising to support awareness and research of multiple myeloma and other blood cancers.

Read Eve’s message about blood donation at http://www.mayoclinic.org/donateblood/evefriedli.html.