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Spotlight on Ashley Dieks:
I refuse to stop for myeloma!
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A beautiful moment captured
once all my hair was gone.
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Hello, my name is Ashely Dieks.
In 2022, at the age of 36, I was diagnosed with myeloma. And I
was in shock.
For over 16 years, I was a paramedic with the Manitoulin Sudbury Emergency Medical Services in Ontario. I have always been a fitness enthusiast and in pretty good shape.
I especially love cycling and weightlifting.
Being a paramedic, my job was often physically strenuous which ironically is a good thing as it led to my learning about my diagnosis.
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It all started in December of 2021,
when I had to lift a patient at work. I felt a pop in my sternum, followed by some pretty intense pain.
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When the pain didn’t lessen, I went to a walk-in clinic after finishing my night shift. I was misdiagnosed with costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breastbone (sternum) and was told it would heal on its own. It didn’t.
Four weeks later, when the pain was definitely not getting better, I went to see my GP who ordered a series of x-rays to be taken. When I finally got my x-ray results, I was told that I actually didn’t have costochondritis, but that I had fractured 7 of my ribs!
A few months later, in March 2022, I fractured 2 vertebrae just getting out of my vehicle. This prompted my general practitioner (GP) to send me for some tests. He also gave me a referral to a hematologist who ordered a bone marrow biopsy.
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Two days later, on May 18, 2022,
I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
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Being told I had an incurable cancer over the phone was a really tough pill to swallow. I remember going through the motions that day, and feeling a sense of loss, sadness, anger, and guilt all at once. It’s been tough to deal with. | | |
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Shaving off my hair with my mom
before I went in for the stem cell transplant.
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I started CYBORD 3 weeks after my diagnosis and underwent a stem cell transplant a few months later in October 2022.
I started experiencing some hair loss during the induction phase of treatment and knew that Melphalan would make my hair fall out completely.
You lose a sense of control
after a cancer diagnosis
and I wanted to gain back
some power.
A local photographer and I came up with the idea of shaving my head surrounded by family and friends. It’s hard to put into words what I felt at that moment but it’ll forever be ingrained in my mind.
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I’m on maintenance chemotherapy and it’s going well. I’m now in partial remission. | | |
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I've never let this diagnosis stop me for maintaining my active lifestyle.
I refuse to have myeloma stop me
from doing the physical activities I enjoy.
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I've been fortunate enough to have years of training under my belt so I know what my body is capable of doing. Over this winter, I’ll be training with my cycling team, The Rolling Circus, to prepare for a gravel race in April. This past summer I continued to cycle and participated in some century rides (a ride of 100km+) and a few races. | |
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The owner of Sessions Ride Co (also
for whom I cycle) brought my bike into the hospital!
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My 1st gravel race. My partner and I
placed 5th in the women's duo!
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Despite what my body has gone through,
the aches and pains I feel daily,
I’m grateful for the moments and the freedom
biking brings me.
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I've also been fortunate enough to attend 2 conferences this year, Health eMatters (an event for online cancer advocates sponsored by Myeloma Canada) and Myeloma Canada’s Support Group Leaders’ Summit.
I hope to continue participating in these events to be a better support group leader for Northeastern Ontario, a better social media advocate, and a better advocate for myself. Especially because myeloma is considered an older person’s cancer and not something our healthcare providers will typically consider or look for in people my age.
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Vic and me. She's been a huge supporter and
hype girl. My cycling progression wouldn't have happened without her encouragement.
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As a young patient,
I’m very passionate about letting people know that myeloma can affect anyone,
no matter their age or background.
I really want others to know that some of the symptoms are unexplained pain, fractures, and fatigue, and to get tested when things just don’t feel right, or if you have pain that persists.
Getting an early diagnosis
could save your life.
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There aren't many young myeloma patients and we’re navigating this disease at crucial times in our lives...We have young children, careers, families to take care of, in addition to ourselves. It’s imperative we continue to raise funds to support research and trials. | | |
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Some of the ladies I ride with who are badass,
Victoria and Kayla.
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My 1st bike packing trip, 180km over 2 days
with Victoria.
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Myeloma may not be curable, but it doesn’t have to be a death sentence.
Be well,
Ashley
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Editor’s note:
- For more information on the Northeastern Ontario support group, click here.
- To find a local support group in your area, or for information on how to start one, contact Michelle Oana, Myeloma Canada’s Director of Development and Community Relations at moana@myeloma.ca.
We hope you enjoy meeting our 2023 Spotlight Stars and your fellow Myeloma Canada community members. The Spotlight section of Myeloma Matters features stories and reflections supplied by members of our community - those living with myeloma, caregivers, healthcare professional - in their words. The views expressed and shared are those of that individual. We recognize that everyone’s journey and experience with myeloma is different.
To all of you who have shared your stories in the past, and those of you who continue to do so today, we are indebted...you are an inspiration.
If you would like to share your experience in a future issue of Myeloma Matters, please contact us at contact@myeloma.ca.
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To donate to Myeloma Canada
please visit myeloma.ca or call us toll-free at 1-888-798-5771.
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Si vous préférez recevoir vos communications en français, écrivez-nous à contact@myelome.ca. | |
Myeloma Canada's mission: To improve the lives of Canadians impacted by myeloma through awareness-building, educational efforts, advocacy, fostering an empowered myeloma community and support of clinical research so that a cure may be found. | | | | |
