I have always loved to travel and to go on adventures. When I was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in September 2018, some of my first thoughts were I would never be able to do these adventures again. After many months of labs, multiple types of tests and doctors visits, it was decided that I would need a stem cell transplant. The transplant was performed March 6, 2019. During my hospitalization, I picked up a magazine that had an ad about the Moving Mountains for Myeloma hikes. It put me in tears because I thought I might never be able to do something like these hikes. In another way, it gave me a smile because it had stories of people who had Multiple Myeloma doing the hikes, so there was hope.

The transplant took many months of recuperation and even walking a mile was very difficult. As the months went by, I have gotten stronger and stronger. Fortunately, I have an incredibly supportive husband, family and friends. Always in the back of my mind were these hikes for MMRF; would I be able to accomplish one of these hikes. When I applied to be a member of the hike, I felt such joy and hope in my heart. My friend from Texas Christian University Nursing school has signed up to do the hike with me. We graduated from Nursing school over 30 years ago and she has been a great support. It has been a difficult transition for me to go from caregiver to patient. We are hiking to raise money for research and to inspire others with Multiple Myeloma.

As I train for the Grand Canyon hike, I am thankful to be in remission and living life to its fullest and looking forward to adventures and travel. I am committed to raising awareness of the contributions the MMRF has made to the progress of Multiple Myeloma treatment and to raising funds for their mission to find a cure.