Mark Bastian

multiple myeloma coach since 2023

My name is Mark, I am 65 years old. My husband Rodd & I live in San Miguel de Allende MX. In April 2022 I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma by my doctor here in Mexico. Went through 4 months of treatment. In August of 2022, we traveled to Nashville TN to the Sarah Cannon Cancer Institute to begin the process of Stem Cell Transplant. September 2nd I had my transplant. We stayed in Nashville to the beginning of October. We then traveled back to San Miguel. I am happy to report my transplant was a success. I am cancer cell free & myeloma free. Back at the gym, back to cooking & baking that I love so much. My background is in the baking industry. My life today is better than I could have imagined a year ago. Yes, I am a bit slower, do experience some back issues but it's nothing compared to where I was. I am so grateful for today. My husband Rodd just came back from a 6 week, 7,635 mile tour of the US. We called it "Remission Tour 2023". We visited family, my children & our grandsons. It was truly wonderful and beat expectation. Plus, I felt great on this trip. We met with my doctors in Nashville as well for a follow up great lab results. Having Multiple Myeloma was not easy, some of the worst days in my life. I am so grateful for the great doctors, nurses who treated me, the love and support I received from friends & family, mostly from the care I received from my husband Rodd. Could not have walked through this without him. When I found out I had Multiple Myeloma I void I would remain positive as possible, take this serious, ask for help, keep a sense of humor. All this help me in so many ways.

Lisa Hatfield

multiple myeloma coach since 2024

Radiation, surgery, chemo. In that order. It was decided while we sat in a sterile room at MD Anderson with my radiation oncologist who was speaking with my neurosurgeon, while both examined the images of my spine. Damaged by myeloma. A blood cancer. I was numb. A plasmacytoma was asserting itself and growing dangerously close to my spinal cord. The debate: radiation first vs surgery first. Chemo wasn’t even on the table. My spine had to be stabilized. I wanted to talk about the cancer and all the other lesions and malignant cells in my bone marrow. But that would have to wait. That was May of 2018. We left our daughters with family, on Mother’s Day. MD Anderson asked us to commit to being there a week. We were there a month. I returned home with a walker, a lot of pain, some fear, and a chemo cocktail recipe written by my medical oncologist (who I was finally able to meet). My chemo was administered in my hometown. Kyprolis, Revlimid, and dex. Kyprolis was not approved at that time for first-line therapy, but my myeloma specialist at MDA was able to get approval for me to receive it at my local cancer center. 6 months of KRd followed, while still recovering from major spine surgery. With a short break from KRD, I had stem cells harvested. And frozen. I opted to delay autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT), as I was still recovering from surgery and did not want to be away from our kids for another extended period. Revlimid was not my friend. Following the 6 months of KRD, I continued Revlimid maintenance for 4 years until the cumulative effects altered by quality of life. (Still dealing with those, even after discontinuing Rev almost two years ago). Most recent Clonoseq bone marrow biopsy showed 572 cells per million (my daughters’ birthdays and my anniversary date used to be the most important numbers to me… this “572” has crept a little too close to the space of those important numbers…I guess that’s how myeloma is). All of my decisions have been made with the two myeloma specialists I see on a regular basis. I am a HUGE advocate for expert opinions with myeloma. And… I believe that myeloma specialists are extraordinary people (mine are incredible human beings). I love good coffee, good chocolate, good books, good conversations, and good, genuine connections. I believe that connecting with others is a critical piece in our myeloma journey and enhancing our quality of life. Not every day will be good, but every day can have hope. I hope I can be a soft but strong support for others and a giver of hope.

Todd Cook

multiple myeloma coach since 2025

I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in Apr. 2023 and had a stem cell transplant in Sept. 2023. I am on Lenalidomide 10 Mg maintenance medication. Born in 1956. I am a pastor of a Baptist Church and was a hospice chaplain for over five years and crisis counselor for 13 years.