Stand with Dyan: Overcoming Myeloma Together

Our mom Dyan was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in May 2023 after continued pain on her ribs. She did the grueling stem cell transplant prep including several tests, chemo, and many many appointments. We were told that she would have many years of remission if she proceeded with the transplant. Stem Cell Transplant took place in October 2023. In April 2024 she began having the same rib pain that led to her diagnosis and finally in June 2024, she was told that she had relapsed. This was a huge punch in the gut for us all as this was so unexpected. She then proceeded with radiation and several other treatments that gave her either a very short remission or she didn’t respond to the treatment at all.

In April 2025, she did collection of the T-Cells for Car-T transplant to hopefully do many months down the road. Then in May 2025, she was advised by her specialist that she had to do a “salvage chemo” because of how far advanced the cancer was and then proceed with Car-T shortly after. This chemotherapy is one of the worst regimens and she had to then take FMLA due to how sick it made her. At one time, a rapid response had to be called at one of her appointments due to stroke like symptoms.

Knowing Dyan, you know that she is a fighter and will not give up and is fighting to be here for her grandchildren. After recovery of 2-3 weeks from the horrible chemo she had a 3 week break until Car-T.

Car-T took place outpatient on June 30, 2025. She had daily appointments and very close monitoring by Taylor and myself. Vital signs and a questionnaire had to be done around the clock every 4 hours. We were made aware of increase risk of infection and neurological side effects. She ended up spiking a fever of 100.4 which is a direct admission to the hospital. There was no infection found and she was sent home several days later. We then noticed some changes in mood and then had another admission to the hospital a few days after being home. She didn’t know the date, couldn’t write sentences, didn’t know where she was at, and could not count backwards by 10’s from 100 to 0. She was then found to have HLH, PRES, encephalopathy, on top of neurotoxicity. This is all related to the Car-T and the little T-Cells (immune cells) expanding TOO much. She is currently in the hospital now and her FMLA will end in 2 weeks. One day she’s back to her normal self, the next day is the opposite. When they say this is a day-to-day thing, they truly mean that.

Unfortunately, the unknown of when she can go back to work is weighing heavy on my mom. Bills do not stop when you’re hospitalized. She is expected to make a full recovery, but there is no telling if that will be a week or 90 days.

My mom does not ask for help, she has always figured out a way and is tough as nails. If you feel inclined to donate, we would be so incredibly grateful.

We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts for all the thoughts and prayers. We can feel all the love.

With love,

Dyan, Nicole, and Taylor