When Sherrie was diagnosed with multiple myeloma 11 years ago, she thought, “There’s just no way. The doctors are mistaken.” She felt fine. Her kids were teenagers, and she was working at a job she was passionate about.

Unfortunately, since beginning treatment for multiple myeloma, Sherrie has relapsed (her cancer has returned) at least 14 times. “Fourteen times I’ve had to hear those words: ‘The myeloma is going back up.’ When you hear it, your heart sinks,” she said.

Over time, Sherrie has learned how to deal with myeloma relapses. She gets regular monitoring and promptly reports any symptoms or side effects she notices. She also sticks with each treatment for as long as possible to keep her future options open. “Sometimes you want to jump out of a treatment quickly because it’s causing problems for you, but you learn that you don’t want to burn through treatments,” she explained. “As long as it’s tamping down the myeloma, you should try your best to stay on it. But if you can’t, then it’s time to move on.”

Sherrie noted that it’s important to stay engaged with your cancer care team, let them know how you’re feeling, and ask questions about treatment decisions. Many newer treatment options are available, and it’s a good idea to educate yourself about them. “I always ask every time I see my doctor, ‘What is on the horizon? What are they looking at now? What is coming out?’” she said.

Sherrie summed up her experience: “One of the biggest things I’ve learned on this journey is that it’s a marathon. It’s not a sprint. You’re not going to cure it in one go. It’s a lifetime of fighting the disease.”

Overall, Sherrie stays focused on what’s most important to her — her children, grandchildren, and husband. “When I look at them, I see the future,” she explained. “And I want to be a part of that future.”

Watch the video to learn all of Sherrie’s tips for coping with relapsed multiple myeloma.

Talk With Others Who Understand

MyMyelomaTeam is the social network for people living with multiple myeloma and their loved ones. On MyMyelomaTeam, more than 27,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their stories with others who understand life with myeloma.

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