My Multiple Myeloma Story: I Ignored My Symptoms at First | Jenny Ahlstrom's Story

After moving to Mexico with her husband and kids, Jenny Ahlstrom started getting rib pain and felt extreme fatigue, but she chalked it up to exhaustion from the move and adjusting to her new life. Months later, more symptoms started to appear including blood in her urine. She was then diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
In this story, she shares how she searched for the best treatment options, underwent three clinical trials and launched her organization, HealthTree to help other patients.
The interview has only been edited for clarity.
Full story & transcript → www.thepatient...
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[@lindafish2789]

Diagnosed at age 73 after surviving polio at the age of 3 yrs. Now 1 1/2 years into my 3 year treatment. Living well.

[@samanthaenglish1675]

I was diagnosed with MULTIPLE MYELOMA also in 2010. I had tandem autogolous stem cell transplants in 2011. I’ve been in remission since. It was a completely insane experience. My kids were 2,4 and six when I was diagnosed. I have terrible ptsd every year as I’m getting my yearly blood tests.

[@samanthaenglish1675]

Ps….. I was 38….now I’m 50.

[@bohochic2459]

Samantha English - I am so thankful that you are here with us to share your story. Bravo to you for being in remission! It is so understandable that you have PTSD, each time you go for your yearly bloodwork. I hope you have a good support system, and have different coping "tools" to help guide you through your PTSD. I am holding you in my heart, thoughts, and prayers (or whatever speaks to you). I am sending heartfelt healing hugs and loads of love your way! 🦋👼🕯✨️🙏💙

[@briandowning9979]

Samantha English where did you get the stem cell transplants done? So happy you’re doing well 😊

[@kimbok5971]

Wishing you continued good health.

[@johnsonjohnson4811]

Just got diagnosed with this bad MM and am only 34 .... Am losing it because the pain in my spine is insane, i can't walk nor sleep right

[@hydie0079]

My dad was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma on July 1st and he died the next day 💔 He didn't complain of pain and I seen him every day! My heart is absolutely broken...I don't understand why or how this happened...The Dr said it had spread everywhere absolutely everywhere! I feel so angry! We buried him Friday 😭 Thank you so much for sharing your story...I've been trying to figure out what this multiple myeloma is... 💔 I'm so happy you are doing so well...Bless you ❤️

[@valcollins4943]

so so sorry for your loss ❤

[@fay791]

God bless so sorry for your loss ❤

[@ATebbs1]

I am so sorry for your loss ❤

[@ryantuttle7551]

Some people prefer to not burden others with their misfortune. Your dad suffered so that you all could live normally. That’s what I think.

[@davisholman8149]

That father did not want to burden his family - I agree. Bless him & his family.🙏🏼

[@randypandolini6506]

This is really interesting. Thank you for sharing. I am now being checked due to the fact that I gave the marker for myloma

[@amyjenkins9187]

What did your blood work look like?

[@jennifertombaugh1744]

Can I have MM if my immunoglobulins and light chains aren’t out of range?

[@Elizabeth_Parsons_327]

I was diagnosed with SMM in 2020. FISH showed genetic markers for a high probability for progression to MM with poor prognosis. We are a higher-income household and I still have no idea how we'll be able to afford transplants and treatment even with insurance. At this point, I'm not sure I'm willing to rack up enormous amounts of debt to even attempt treatment with my markers. I think I'd prefer to enjoy as many healthy days as possible and give my family the gift of no debt to worry about and pay for long after I'm gone anyway. With all the wealth in this world, that any of us has to consider the financial ramifications of treatment in the slightest is very sad.

[@Jay-qh1cu]

In almost every, if not every other developed country in the world this is not a choice you would have to make. Suggestion. India, has medical tech every bit as advanced as Western countries and I remember reading that stem cell transplants are around 20 or 30k or close to that amount.

[@susannaa8401]

I am sure you have good insurance. It pays for transplant.

[@Elizabeth_Parsons_327]

We have a $12,000 deductible and then responsible for 20% of charges after that. Not great at all. @@susannaa8401

[@barbaradw9969]

@@Elizabeth_Parsons_327 We are lower Income household. My husband received a scholarship for ALL of his Treatments for 4 years. The ONLY thing we paid for were his every day drugs, not related to the Cancer. Thank the Lord, because he didn’t want me to be in Debt, when he was gone.

[@nista4ever]

My mom had multiple myeloma and her pain was in her leg and she was told the same thing. You have lesions all over your skeleton. she was devastated. I never saw my mom cry like that. She was scared and she even said I wish I didn't know. That was 18 years ago and there really wasnt a lot of choices for her. Glad to hear this woman had a better outcome.

[@storiedtbh]

I'm so sorry

[@katinabotten]

I have MM, but with a twist, mine started out as weird skin sores, itching and the ER doctors would dismiss my sores and tell me I was causing them by scratching and to follow up with dermatology. Dermatology told me to stop itching. At one point I developed a staph infection and I knew something wasn’t right and kept sending my pcp photos and she then restricted my access to secure messaging. I developed a sore on my right foot and was told by the ER it was from my shoe! Finally I had a specific test done by a allergist and it confirmed MM

[@LaLadybug2011]

Can you give us the name of the specific test please. And I'm glad finally a Dr took it seriously

[@chrisomoding9890]

Similar to my late mum's story. She too had a weird skin scar that the dermatologist said was a skin infection but it never responded to treatment. My lesson from that experience: doctors should listen to their patients - if a patient insists that they are not feeling well, do not dismiss their feelings.

[@sheriwilson9387]

I was diagnosed with M/M 12/27/23 , I had no previous symptoms. Just in November I woke up and felt terrible couldn't even speak or a whisper; my spouse checked my BP and it was high. All day and evening my BP kept raising higher and higher . Went to emergency thru tested for a stroke; instead they found a mass on my skull

[@Smooshes786]

I’m being diagnosed as I watch this. My MM was held in my “feelings”, seems I needed mental health help, not an oncologist. I pushed until they wanted me gone from our clinic. I was correct, not my feelings!

[@barbaradw9969]

My husband died from Multiple Myeloma 6/29/22, after 2 years of Treatment, every week. Every week he was told he was getting better, although my husband felt he was getting sicker. Finally on June 19 he went on Hospice Care, he said he had had enough and couldn’t continue. He was in to much pain.

[@marshajones8958]

Sorry for your loss. Pray that you find peace through this trial

[@marimarxuach7180]

My dad denied treatment for his cancer too. I am so sorry. Praying for you.

[@barbaradw9969]

@@marimarxuach7180 Thank you. Time is moving on. This summer I was able to visit our daughter, son in law and Grandchildren. They have lived in a different country for many years. My husband didn’t like to fly, so we never visited. I made myself a promise when he passed, that I would never keep a flight from keeping my family together. I had a wonderful time & am already preparing for next year. That want me to come back 😊. It just gives me so much hope for the future.

[@barbaradw9969]

@@marshajones8958 Thank you, Marsha. God has been very good to me. I thank everyone that has prayed for me. We were married 37 years before he passed, so becoming a widow, is a new road for me.

[@barbaradw9969]

@@marimarxuach7180 Thank you.

[@marshajones8958]

my daughter ALL passed away. Felt like I let her down by trusting only one facility

[@mendyhoffman1464]

I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma to and it’s in my ribs as well I’m doing chemo and radiation

[@Smooshes786]

In your ribs? Did the imaging show it at all?

[@Codydoggy]

Do oncologists believe in metabolic therapy, seems to be out there

[@suziedennis]

You are an amazing person. What a truly unselfish and enviable attitude.

[@bobs1356]

My cousin had the same cancer and treatments still didn't make it. It kept coming back.

[@valcollins4943]

so sorry ❤

[@venusserafico1161]

I mean what treatment have they done?

[@terreablankenship5851]

My doctor said after my body scan that my entire skeleton appeared to be motheaten.😢

[@EC-yd9yv]

🌺🙏✨✨

[@michelles9897]

Thank you Jenny for all that you do for multiple myeloma. I watch your KZbin channel Healthree and you are appreciated! 🌟

[@tomkrymkowski3936]

Diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2020. Treatment velcade with dexamethasone and the abnormal proteins became undetectable. Now they are back and are high. I was on revlemid velcade dexamethasone. Then stopped revlimed. Still on velcade and dexamethasone. Should i go back on revlimed?

[@susanmann5286]

I think I missed something(?) What was transplanted?

[@tomkrymkowski3936]

No holes in my bone. Crab is good. Calcium low. Kidneys look good.

[@AS-yz2iz]

My son had AML in 2019. He was 19 at the time.

[@TraceyMariexx]

I hope he's doing OK 💜

[@Kelly-qc9wc]

What was the thing in your virus that the pharma person told you? I can not hear it...

[@b25mech]

What were the transplants?

[@tamiewert808]

I had same question, but I'm assuming bone marrow?

[@venusserafico1161]

Stem cell transplant

[@gracietilert8952]

This is so amazingly helpful and informative. Thank you so much for sharing this.

[@ThePatientStory]

So glad to hear it was helpful! Thank you so much for watching!

[@marthalongfellow6142]

I was diagnosed at the beginning of 2023 with multiple myeloma. Thank you for sharing. What is your foundation and how do I find through Google? I need a good support group that understands. Do you have a site with contact us field? Thank you. Martha Longfellow

[@splash6427]

🙏 ❤️ 🙏

[@arleneportsmouth1263]

So far, I am on my 3rd evening of watching this video and 14 hours of commercials PREVENTING ME from getting NOT EVEN 15 minutes of this ACTUAL STORY. MY 9th ATTEMPT to watch one of these and have to UNSUBSCRIBE due to ENDLESS HOURS of ads and I CANNOT MOVE MY ARMS WITHOUT 3XTREME PAIN to hit SKIP BUTTON. 🤬

[@flowergirlabc123]

Most are monetized now, unfortunately and I agree, they are challenging. Unless we spend upwards of $5/month, sadly it is like this now. 😢

[@bohochic2459]

This lovely woman has endured so much and is using her time to help in a proactive way through the organization she built, etc., and all you can do is leave a disrespectful, rude and unnecessary comment. How is that even possible as to what you complained about...I had no concerns with watching this incredible interview with ads. There is a "Skip Ad" button. You have behaved like an ungrateful child throwing a tantrum because things weren't going your way. I am embarrassed for you. You had the opportunity to take the higher path and provide respectful feedback, yet you chose to take the lower road. No one was forcing you to subject yourself to unnecessary stress and frustration (more like rage). You did this to yourself. I am just so weary and fed up with people such as yourself who take away from the good that others are doing, instead of being appreciative of the hard work, determination, and good others are doing to help people survive such a cruel and devastating disease such as cancer. Life is about being part of the solution, not the problem...🙄

[@sensimania]

Watch it on your laptop/PC and make sure you have an ad blocker installed. You're welcome

[@Jumboo364]

@@bohochic2459you legit sound like a PEPSI COLA… MMMM REFRESHING!!! scary individual

[@doctork1708]

@@bohochic2459Who the flock MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS I’m fed up with you holier than though hypocrites. You weren’t part of a solution for her.

[@marioncannon9924]

"acclimated"😂 it's "acclimatised"

[@AS-yz2iz]

Both words have the same meaning.

[@blueridgerunner1]

@marioncannon9924 This was a very informative video, and that's the best comment you can come up with? Wow. You must be very proud of yourself.

[@susie2251]

Acclimated is used far more often. There is nothing to laugh about except your own ignorance of the English language.