Spotlight on Nancy Bies

Spotlight on Nancy Bies:

Remote living and strength in adversity

September, 2024

Nancy Bies

Hi, my name is Nancy Bies, and I am living with multiple myeloma (MM). I’m originally from Victoria, BC but my husband and I live in Yellowknife, NWT.

In May 2019, at the age of 48, I was diagnosed with MM when doctors discovered abnormal protein levels in my blood while investigating why my heart was malfunctioning. This diagnosis was overwhelming, and initially,

I struggled with the term "cancer," so my doctor described it as a blood disorder.

Hearing this, I went ghost-white and felt like throwing up or passing out, and I wondered how my healthy lifestyle hadn't protected me from this disease.

My journey with MM has been filled with challenges. My husband Bob wanted me to start chemotherapy right away. But fear, compounded by my struggles with depression and anxiety, led me to delay treatment. This delay had severe consequences. By February 2022, after a severe episode related to COVID-19 and the delayed treatment, I was medevacked to Edmonton for urgent care.

The day before the hospital medically transferred me to Edmonton, my husband and I went to the Yellowknife Hospital, where I discovered I had COVID-19. That evening, they sent me home. My husband mentioned that I seemed disoriented and unaware of my surroundings. Shortly after that, I collapsed in the bathroom. My husband picked me up and laid me on the bed, noticing my eyes appeared vacant. Soon after, an ambulance transferred me to the hospital.

My husband arrived at the Yellowknife Hospital where the doctor inquired if he knew that my doctors had scheduled treatment to begin that past summer. He was unaware.

The doctor explained that they were doubtful of my recovery from COVID-19 since the cancer had already compromised my health. When my husband questioned my prognosis, the doctor indicated that my chances of recovery were below 50%. Following, I was placed on life support and medevacked to Edmonton for further care.

While in Edmonton, my husband spoke with the doctors to inquire about my condition. He asked them about my progress, and the doctor informed him that my levels were four times higher than typically seen in other patients treated for MM. The doctor expressed that it was too soon to make any conclusions about my prognosis but acknowledged that I faced a very challenging path ahead.

A few days into my hospital stay, the doctors decided to reduce my medication in hopes that I would wake up. Despite their efforts, I continued to sleep, unresponsive to their attempts to awaken me.

That's when Bob asked if he could try waking me up.

Taking my hand gently,

he called me by my

childhood nickname,

a familiar sound that stirred something within me.

I tried to open my eyes, but initially I couldn't. Encouraged by Bob urging me to try harder, I finally managed to open them. While I do not remember this moment, it remains profoundly significant to my husband.

I spent five weeks in the ICU in Edmonton, initially unable to walk, talk, or eat, and confined to lying

on my back with tubes for breathing and feeding.

I love this picture. My husband and I were in

beautiful BC this summer (2024), went on a date

and had a lovely lunch on the waterfront.

Over time, I gradually began to improve and eventually could walk with the aid of

a walker. My recovery progressed, and I was transferred to Yellowknife for further rehabilitation, staying there for another six to eight weeks.

Returning to Yellowknife was a significant milestone — it meant I was getting better. While it didn't mean recovery from MM, as treatment hadn't yet started, it did mean that I had overcome COVID-19 pneumonia.

Following two blood transfusions to boost my hemoglobin levels, once my lungs began clearing off fluids, the doctors started me on a non-chemotherapy treatment for MM which quickly stabilized my hemoglobin. As I gained strength and my lungs cleared further, they introduced chemotherapy into my treatment.

For the first time, my hemoglobin numbers improved,

indicating a positive step in my health.

After spending a few more weeks in the Yellowknife hospital and beginning to eat soft foods, I was discharged and sent home, which was a joyful day for me. However, once home, I started experiencing compression fractures in my spine, which are extremely painful. The fractures led to several hospital visits as I would wake up in the middle of the night in agony. In addition to multiple myeloma, I have also been diagnosed with osteoporosis, for which I am receiving treatment.

To manage my osteoporosis, I receive a monthly Pamidronate infusion at the hospital, which typically keeps me there for about five hours. They provide a bed for comfort during the treatment, allowing me to rest or sleep for a couple of hours. This treatment has been successful, as I have not experienced any new fractures in the past year, and my existing fractures are healing. Additionally, I have been able to reduce my morphine intake every month or two gradually. Currently, I take 10 mg of long-acting morphine twice daily and 5 mg as needed for breakthrough pain.

I receive a chemotherapy injection in my stomach every two weeks as part of my multiple myeloma treatment. The medical staff in the chemo unit are outstanding — helpful, friendly, and humorous, making each visit as pleasant as possible.

I'm delighted to report that this treatment has been highly successful.

My doctors have confirmed that I am in complete remission,

with no evidence of the disease remaining.

Reflecting on my experience, I regret postponing chemotherapy, which not only caused undue stress for my family and friends but also had lasting impacts on my health.

Nevertheless, this ordeal has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience.

Despite the persistent pain and ongoing treatments, I am now leading an active life, walking several hours a week and enjoying a renewed sense of existence.

My journey is a testament

to the strength

one can muster in adversity.

Sitting in my friends beautiful backyard, June 2022.

I had only been out of hospital for 2 months and we celebrated my birthday and my road to recovery.

It was a wonderful day.

With ongoing treatment,

I remain hopeful about managing my condition

and living with MM for many more years.

My dear friend, Tawna, has done so much

for me and my family, over the past five years,

all with the biggest smile.

My dear friend and workout buddy.

In April we walked on the “ice road “,

my first time in two years. Felt amazing!

Me and my dear friend Lisa,

30 years of friendship. All dressed up

for a summer evening out.

Me and my workout buddy Shannon went

to the lake for a picnic in Yellowknife

this past weekend (Sept 2024)

Thank you for allowing me to share my five-year journey with MM with you today.

Nancy

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 promise: 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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