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Spotlight on Guylaine Landry-Fréchette

Multiple myeloma and me

January, 2025

Tokyo Marathon on March 3, 2024. I received the Tokyo Medal along with a medal for completing all six major international marathons, Tokyo being the last one. 

Hello,


My name is Guylaine Landry-Fréchette, and I was born on September 5, 1955.  


On March 3, 2024, I completed my sixth major international marathon in Tokyo. With pride, I received a medal symbolizing all the hard work that went into this accomplishment. I finished this 42 km marathon without any particular issues.  


Back home in Quebec, everything was fine.

  

However, on March 6th, when I was out for a short jog, I felt pain in my left thigh. I assumed it was just my body needing some post-marathon recovery time.

The next day, I met with my trainer for a light run, but after 5 km, the pain in my left thigh returned with such intensity that I had to stop. 


I told myself that I needed to give myself more time for a proper recovery. Initially suspecting a strained ligament, I consulted a physiotherapist. While physiotherapy provided some relief, I noticed that the pain persisted and that it felt more intense than a simple ligament strain. Walking became increasingly difficult. I even had to rely on a cane for support.  


That's when I decided it was time to see a doctor. An MRI was ordered, and the results were shocking. I had a pathological fracture in my left hip and a lytic lesion in my left femur.  


I was quickly referred to the Centre intégré de cancérologie in Quebec City.  

On April 11, 2024, I met with Dr Vincent Castonguay, a hematologist-oncologist who, despite not yet having a confirmation from the bone marrow biopsy (which was performed later), diagnosed me with multiple myeloma. He was very reassuring and took the time to explain my treatment. He outlined the chemotherapy regimen I would undergo over the next 16 weeks and told me that I was a candidate for an autologous transplant.  


Dr Castonguay also quickly referred me to an orthopaedic oncologist. On April 21, I underwent surgery to fix my left hip.

September 26, 2024 – my autologous transplant (4 bags!) 

I started chemotherapy on May 6, and my autologous transplant took place on September 26 of last year (2024). The procedure went smoothly, except for the critical post-melphalan period when I had to be hospitalized due to severe dehydration.  


I am fortunate to have a daughter who is a physiotherapist and helps me tremendously in rehabilitation. I’ve even started running again! 


I am incredibly grateful for my Myeloma Canada family. I’ve found support through others’ personal stories and the programs and services the organization offers. 


My plan is to get on with my life and keep my myeloma under wraps for as long as possible.


-Guylaine

Second post-transplant training session with

my daughter, Anne Shirley 

100 days post-transplant and incredibly happy

to start running again! 

Editor's note:


We hope you enjoy meeting our 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.

Myeloma Canada's mission: To improve the lives and empower all Canadians affected by myeloma, accelerate access to the best care, while supporting the pursuit of its cure and prevention.


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