• LLS
  • Team In Training
  • Light The Night
  • Man & Woman of the Year
  • Leukemia Cup Regatta
  • Student Series
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Careers at LLS
  • Donate
  • Menu
  • About LLS

    Who We Are

    • Mission
    • Leadership
    • Financials
    • History
    • News Network
    • Our Partners

    What We Do

    • Research
    • Policy & Advocacy
    • Patient Support
    • Beat AML

    Why We Need Your Help

    • Inspirational Stories

    Contact Us

    • My Chapter
    • All Chapters
    • Work at LLS
  • Researchers &
    Healthcare Professionals

    Academic Grants

    • Academic Grant Programs
    • Apply for a Grant
    • Grant Finder

    Therapy Acceleration Program

    • Academic Concierge
    • Biotechnology Accelerator
    • Clinical Trials Division

    Resources for HCPs

    • Continuing Education Programs
    • Continuing Medical Education Programs
    • Free Publications
    • Video Education Programs
    • Patient Referral Form
    • On Demand Education About MPNs
    • Trish Greene Back to School Program
  • Patients
    & caregivers

    Disease Information

    • Leukemia
    • Lymphoma
    • Myeloma
    • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
    • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
    • Childhood Blood Cancer
    • Newly Diagnosed
    • Managing Your Cancer
    • Treatment
    • Clinical Trials
    • Facts & Statistics
    • Beat AML

    Support Resources

    • Contact an Information Specialist
    • Financial Support
    • Online Chats
    • Support Groups
    • Peer-to-Peer Support
    • Blogs
    • Patient Community
    • Podcast
    • Caregiver Support
    • Other Helpful Organizations
    • Suggested Reading
    • Discussion Boards

    Education Resources

    • Free Information Booklets
    • Webcasts
    • Videos
    • Drug Listings
    • Blood Cancer Conferences
  • How to help

    Fundraise for LLS

    • Team In Training
    • Light The Night Walk
    • Student Series
    • Leukemia Cup Regatta
    • Man & Woman of the Year
    • Students of the Year
    • Create Your Fundraiser
    • Big Climb

    Be an Advocate

    • Take Action
    • Sign Up to Be an Advocate

    Ways to Help

    • Ways to Donate
    • Volunteer
    • Wills, Annuities & Planned Gifts
    • Become a Social Ambassador
  • Donate
  • About LLS
    • Who We Are
      • Mission
      • Leadership
      • Financials
      • History
      • News Network
      • Our Partners
    • What We Do
      • Research
      • Policy & Advocacy
      • Patient Support
      • Beat AML
    • Why We Need Your Help
      • Inspirational Stories
    • Contact Us
      • My Chapter
      • All Chapters
      • Work at LLS
  • Researchers & Healthcare Professionals
    • Academic Grants
      • Academic Grant Programs
      • Apply for a Grant
      • Grant Finder
    • Therapy Acceleration Program
      • Academic Concierge
      • Biotechnology Accelerator
      • Clinical Trials Division
    • Resources for HCPs
      • Continuing Education Programs
      • Continuing Medical Education Programs
      • Free Publications
      • Video Education Programs
      • Patient Referral Form
      • On Demand Education About MPNs
      • Trish Greene Back to School Program
  • Patients & caregivers
    • Disease Information
      • Leukemia
      • Lymphoma
      • Myeloma
      • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
      • Myeloproliferative Neoplasms
      • Childhood Blood Cancer
      • Newly Diagnosed
      • Managing Your Cancer
      • Treatment
      • Clinical Trials
      • Facts & Statistics
      • Beat AML
    • Support Resources
      • Contact an Information Specialist
      • Financial Support
      • Online Chats
      • Support Groups
      • Peer-to-Peer Support
      • Blogs
      • Patient Community
      • Podcast
      • Caregiver Support
      • Other Helpful Organizations
      • Suggested Reading
      • Discussion Boards
    • Education Resources
      • Free Information Booklets
      • Webcasts
      • Videos
      • Drug Listings
      • Blood Cancer Conferences
  • How to help
    • Fundraise for LLS
      • Team In Training
      • Light The Night Walk
      • Student Series
      • Leukemia Cup Regatta
      • Man & Woman of the Year
      • Students of the Year
      • Create Your Fundraiser
      • Big Climb
    • Be an Advocate
      • Take Action
      • Sign Up to Be an Advocate
    • Ways to Help
      • Ways to Donate
      • Volunteer
      • Wills, Annuities & Planned Gifts
      • Become a Social Ambassador
  • Partners
    • LLS
    • Team In Training
    • Light The Night
    • Man & Woman of the Year
    • Leukemia Cup Regatta
    • Student Series
    • Lifestyle
    Community Careers at LLS Language
    • English
    • Spanish
    • Canadian English
    • French Canadian

I am a Patient looking for Disease/Treatment Information related to

  • Who We Are All Survivor Stories Jane

Jane

Myeloma Survivor

Mount Laurel, NJ

  • Print

In 2008, I retired from teaching art, mostly because I was feeling tired all the time and didn’t want the program I was running to suffer because I couldn’t keep up. I figured it was old age. I was enjoying my first full year of retirement when I woke up with a backache. After two months of tests, in July 2010, I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a treatable but not yet curable blood cancer in the plasma cells of the bone marrow. 

Since 2010, I've gone through many treatments, including induction therapy, two kyphoplasty surgeries repairing four vertebrae, and two tandem autologous stem cell transplants. I relapsed in 2012 and have been in treatment since then, getting close to our favorite word…remission!

Art has been a strong influence in my life. I picked up watercolors more than 30 years ago.  Painting has been very therapeutic for me; the sound of the water and the movement of the paint over the paper soothe me.  I love to get lost in a watercolor and focus on the details; it takes me away from the aches and pains. 

Through The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), I have found a support group of wonderful people living with myeloma.  We share our stories, our good and bad news. One of our founding members is a 99-year-old woman who we call our “cheerleader.”  She has wonderful insights and encouraging words. Our group is supportive and lead by a warm, compassionate facilitator. I also enjoy volunteering with the LLS First Connect Program, talking with patients one on one and giving them information and encouragement.

Every myeloma patient I know hopes for a cure.  In the mean time, many treatments have been developed since I have been diagnosed. Seven in the past year!

Previous StorySteve
Next StoryDaniel
Previous StorySteve
Next StoryDaniel

Follow us

Sign up for latest news

This field is required

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) is the world's largest voluntary health agency dedicated to blood cancer. The LLS mission: Cure leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families. LLS funds lifesaving blood cancer research around the world and provides free information and support services.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Security
  • Copyright
  • Link Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Public Disclosure
  • Fundraising Disclosure
  • Refund Policy
  • Work for LLS
  • Contact Us
  • LLS Subscription Center