Myeloma Patient Stories

Patient stories about Myeloma

February 8, 2021

Husband and Wife Unite in Battling Myeloma

Linda Haymes

“We have been well taken care of at UAMS,” said Jerilee Gott of Sherwood, Arkansas who is a myeloma survivor along with her husband Ken. “The staff has been outstanding, and we feel we are in very good hands. Our future is very encouraging with the treatment options available for those who go into remission.”

When Jerilee and Ken Gott moved to Arkansas from New Mexico in late 2017 to be closer to their two daughters and grandchildren, she knew she would need regular checkups at the UAMS Myeloma Center. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells in the blood, in 2009. But Jerilee Gott,…

December 9, 2020

Myeloma Survivor Grateful for Time with Grandchildren

Linda Haymes

“Growing old with my husband, watching my grandchildren grow up and spending time with my family and friends were some of the things I thought I might miss,” Linda Cancienne of Alabaster, Alabama, said, recalling being diagnosed with myeloma in 2001 when she was 59.

Linda Cancienne of Alabaster, Alabama, and her husband, Mike, recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary by gathering with family around a backyard fire pit, socially distancing and wearing masks. “We went to our daughter’s house and enjoyed being together and recalling good memories,” Cancienne said. “I sure do miss hugging, though.” There was a time…

September 21, 2020

Retired UAMS HR Chief Shares Myeloma Journey through Blog

Linda Haymes

“The staff at the UAMS Myeloma Center has always made me feel like they are concerned about my well-being and that I get the best of medical and bedside care available,” said Hosea Long of Little Rock, former associate vice chancellor and chief human resources officer, and a 20-year survivor of myeloma.

Hosea Long of Little Rock recently turned 70, a milestone that for most may seem unremarkable. After all, it was not the former UAMS employee’s 100th, 90th or even his 80th birthday. But it was inspiring and incredible for him and his loved ones. Long explained why in a recent entry titled “Tomorrow starts a…

May 8, 2020

Myeloma Center, Patient Power Host Webinar for Patients Across Nation and World

Linda Haymes

A recent live online town hall, held in conjunction with Patient Power, featured UAMS Myeloma Center physicians, nurses and social workers who shared information with 340 myeloma patients from across the nation and world.

A recent live online town hall featuring UAMS Myeloma Center physicians, nurses and social workers shared information with 340 myeloma patients from across the nation and world. “Creating Your Own Myeloma Roadmap: From Diagnosis to Survivorship” was originally scheduled to be held both in person and online, but was changed to be held through a…

April 7, 2020

Louisiana Matriarch Leans on Faith, Family, Friends in Fighting Myeloma

Linda Haymes

“I was just so thankful I had a place that I could come to for help,” says Lessie Credeur of Sunset,Louisiana. The mother of six and grandmother 14 diagnosed with myeloma five years ago and is now in remission. The 59-year-old recently celebrated that success with a Seed of Hope ceremony.

Lessie Credeur’s big, Cajun clan is the heart of the home she shares with husband, Clint, near Lafayette, Louisiana. The stay-at-home mother of six, now enjoying the next generation of her extended family, savors time with her 14 grandchildren, ranging from 16 years to 4 months. “We have 11 girls and three boys and we…

March 2, 2020

Arkansan’s Golf Swing Breaks Back, Leads to Myeloma Diagnosis

Linda Haymes

"When you get a diagnosis like that, your world crumbles and you don't know what to expect," said Buffy Bennett, the wife of myeloma patient Wade Bennett of Hackett, Arkansas.

In 2017, Wade Bennett of Hackett, Arkansas, was 50, and physically active, both in his work as the owner of his company, WB Drywall, and in his leisure time. He also thought he was in good health. “I had a golf tournament coming up and I was swinging an eight iron in my yard and…

January 14, 2020

Grateful Cancer Patient Pedals to Promote Myeloma Center

Linda Haymes

David Sutton of St. Petersburg, Florida, recently completed a five-day bike ride to raise $7,000 for the Myeloma Center.

David Sutton of St. Petersburg, Florida, was 42 and had an 18-month-old son when, on New Year’s Eve of 2004, he was diagnosed with myeloma and given a bleak prognosis from a cancer treatment center near his home. In response, his local oncologist sent him to the UAMS Myeloma Center for a second opinion. “I…

November 12, 2019

Drag Racer, Specialty Mechanic Praises Treatment at Myeloma Center

Linda Haymes

"I was determined to find the best place I could go for treatment," said drag racer and specialty mechanic Brian Macy, 49, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, pictured here with wife Heather.

Drag racer and specialty mechanic Brian Macy, 49,was diagnosed with myeloma in June 2016. Just a little more than a year later, he was back on track, literally. Macy, of Lake Havasu City, Arizona, owns Horsepower Connection, an automotive customization shop that specializes in electronic fuel injection programming and conversions of older domestic cars and…

November 5, 2019

International Myeloma Foundation Partners with UAMS for Regional Workshop

Linda Haymes

Carolina Schinke, M.D., of the Myeloma Center and Kelly Cox with the International Myeloma Foundation took part in the recent regional workshop for patients in Little Rock.

UAMS Myeloma Center patients, caregivers and staff from across Arkansas and surrounding states spent a recent Saturday learning more about myeloma, a rare blood disease, and how to live successfully with it. “Knowledge truly is power,” said Kelly Cox, of the International Myeloma Foundation (IMF), in welcoming the crowd of nearly 60 attendees to the…

September 23, 2019

Little Rock Volunteer Uses Love of Knitting to Give to UAMS Cancer Patients

Linda Haymes

“I knew there was a need so I began by making 50 or more hats a year,” said Ferren, 54, a former elementary school teacher who is legally blind.

Carolaina Ferren uses her knitting needles, crochet hooks, and bundles of yarn to share her empathy with those who are battling cancer. “I knew there was a need so I began by making 50 or more hats a year,” said Ferren, 54, a former elementary school teacher who is legally blind. “A lot of knitting…


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