Joanne had never had any major health issues, until suddenly, she began to experience some very strange symptoms. The active figure skating coach was experiencing extreme fatigue, sudden weight loss and tachycardia. Joanne reached out to her doctor, who soon directed her to Joseph Brant Hospital.
After a series of tests were run, doctors began to believe it was Myeloma. Joanne met with Dr. Kang quickly, where she was told she needed to get a bone marrow biopsy done immediately.
“I was so impressed with the urgency, the attention, the listening – consciously listening to me and being attentive,” says Joanne.
Joanne was diagnosed with high-risk multiple myeloma ( T(4,14)) and soon began chemotherapy treatments.
“It was awful, it was shocking, and it was frightening. Cancer is one thing, but I’d never heard of multiple Myeloma which created more fear in me,” says Joanne. “The staff in Oncology were superior. They knew that I was emotionally struggling and immediately set me up with one of the social workers in Oncology.”
Joanne was called back to see Dr. Kang where he informed her that they needed to perform, two, back to back, stem-cell transplants – also known as a tandem transplant.
“The doctors and staff were so prompt with these tests – everything was urgent and immediate,” remembers Joanne.
Joanne continues to return to Joseph Brant Hospital lovingly and warmly for indefinite, bi-weekly chemotherapy.
“I have never been so grateful to be alive for every second of my every day. It’s no doubt this diagnosis has dramatically changed the person I am. I feel like my cancer has now empowered me as a person, and I owe it to Joseph Brant Hospital,” says Joanne.
For Joanne, she can’t help but be full of hope because of the staff at Joseph Brant Hospital.
“To this day, I find absolute strength in knowing that the staff have my life in their hands. I have absolute trust and faith in them,” says Joanne, “When I walk into Oncology, I feel empowered – I no longer feel scared. I feel that I’m beating cancer.”