3 Great things about being diagnosed with cancer this year

A year ago today I heard the words that everyone dreads coming out of the mouth of a doctor:  “We think it might be cancer.” And sure enough, on New Year’s Eve 2024, results of a bone marrow biopsy confirmed I have multiple myeloma. Some pretty wonderful things have happened since.

I am not saying I am GLAD I have cancer.

However, Mom always told me to look for the silver lining in every cloud.  Routinely asking myself, “What’s good about this?” has in fact dulled disappointments and made life a heck of a lot more fun.

But a fast-growing, incurable cancer of the blood plasma? Where’s the jolly in that?

I put forth my best effort. So that I wouldn’t get pulled too far down into sick person doldrums, I fashion-styled myself for every one of my 24 immunotherapy appointments in aggressively colorful Desigual or Anna Sui.  I made a Bad Bi**h Energy playlist to set the right vibe for my chemo and stem cell transplant. I chose to do my treatment at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, where I could retreat to the healing environment of the Red Rocks and energy vortices of Sedona between infusions.

I kept my energy high and my attitude on fleek, but that’s not what was great about this past year.

Over the past 12 months:

1. I got to experience the best, most powerful aspects of the human spirit.

   
   

   I have been absolutely floored and humbled by all the love and support poured out over me. Hundreds of people – from a former 5th grade classmate to second cousins; hiking buddies to college roommates – sent prayers, cards, good vibes, calls, texts, DMs, and generous, thoughtful gifties. That was my daily news feed this year. I was sustained by nothing but love.

    

   Last month, my husband organized a surprise Cancer Remission party for me (yes! There is a happy ending). Forty people cared so much to come from all parts of the country – and abroad -  to celebrate this day with me in person.

    

   This culminating event was a celebration of the human spirit, a demonstration of the caring and love that is part of our very nature. I am grateful that in this case so much of this energy was directed at me, but in the end it felt like everyone came away feeling more connected and supported and hopeful.
   

2. I learned that I don’t have to walk any path alone.

   
   

   I take pride in being able to organize and manage – projects, events, travel

   -and in being a strong, self-sufficient individual. When news like a cancer diagnosis travels the grapevine, people show up to help. I was smart enough to realize that I was not going to be able to manage this project on my own. From my husband who drove me to every appointment and created a pivot table to lord over the insurance admins, to my team at EME who kept things running while I was out on six weeks of medical leave for my transplant – a whole village enabled me to get through my treatment and keep my life rolling. My sister, my daughter, my parents all came out to Arizona at different times to cook for me and keep me company.
   

   It felt good to accept all the help that was offered. And in the end, we did it! We got me to the other side – feeling strong again and looking forward to more projects and adventures.
   

3. I honed my manifestation skills.

   
   

   I am ALL IN on science and medicine. But not wanting to leave anything to chance, I threw everything at my healing. Crystals, Virgin of Guadeloupe candles, guided meditations, Wonder Woman statuettes, temporary butterfly tattoos, passcodes changed to MRD-6 (no myeloma detected). These rituals complemented my weekly visits to the Mayo Clinic infusion suite.

   
   

   A few months into treatment I learned that the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation – which has played a crucial role in advancing research that has led to dozens of new treatments that have vastly improved the prognosis for myeloma patients – was holding a 5K Walk/Run fundraiser in Scottsdale on November 22^nd.  That date also marked 100 days post-Stem Cell Transplant and the official end of my recovery from the procedure. I pictured myself running across that finish line, strong and fit, and free of cancer. I played the scene out in my mind so often that I felt that no other outcome would be possible.

   
   

   And last month – lights, camera, action! – it all played out. Together with more than a dozen dear friends and family members, we finished the last leg of this journey. I ran across the finish line on the 100th day after my transplant having recently received the news that I achieved MRD-6 – no evidence of myeloma.

   
   

   Elaine’s 100 Day Comeback Squad had the greatest number of contributors for this event, and had the second highest fundraising total. Thankfully! Not only are we in need of the interventions that will get us to a cure, but I do represent that I am a professional fundraiser.

Why am I posting this on my work site and LinkedIn? 

Well, life lessons are work lessons and work lessons are fundraising lessons.  As I think about it…

• When times are tough, we can tap into the best and most powerful aspects of our humanity – love, kindness, caring – and achieve phenomenal things. Support your colleagues; share the powerful stories about your work with the world.

• People genuinely WANT to help. It feels good to help. They like being needed! Ask.

• Goal setting and visualization are foundational to success in any endeavor. From winning a sports championship to becoming the healthiest version of yourself to achieving a fundraising campaign – keep the end result in technicolor in your mind and act as if it has already come to pass.  

Finally, for those in my professional world who have heard of my diagnosis, I wanted to share the good news that I have achieved remission this year.  I want to thank all my wonderful colleagues, team members, and clients who have been so generous and thoughtful.

I look ahead to 2026 with an open heart, a more connected team, and a drive to carry forward what I experienced this year into our work telling the stories and raising funds for the human service heroes of our society.   

Let Love Rule.