After a routine physical led to a shocking multiple myeloma diagnosis, James Brown navigated the challenges of chemotherapy, a stem cell transplant and ongoing maintenance therapy with a steadfast trust in his medical team and a deep faith in God.
Here, the Cumming resident recounts his story. Despite physical and emotional hurdles, including COVID-19 complications and the pain of separation from loved ones, it’s a testament to the advances in medical research and the strength found in faith and family support.
I went for a one-year physical in April 2022 at my primary care doctor. They called me the next day and said my labs were concerning. My wife said maybe I just needed to eat and drink more water and get blood tested again.
After my second blood draw, my doctor's office called to say I needed to see a hematologist. They recommended Atlanta Cancer Care. I got an appointment within two days. I wasn’t even thinking about it all; I just went, and they drew more blood. I moved on, not worried about anything.
The next day was Saturday, and I was cutting grass when I heard my phone ring. It was Dr. Richard Carter from Atlanta Cancer Care.
He said, “You have Multiple Myeloma.”
I said, “What’s that?”
He said, “It’s cancer.”
I’m thinking he’s got the wrong James Brown. He’s talking, and my head is swimming. I am a Christian, and I tell you this because my brain is thinking crazy thoughts once I hear that word — cancer. But then I hear a voice say, “Go on, I’ve got this!” It didn’t say I’d be okay or not, just to go on and trust God.
Dr. Carter had a plan, and I trusted him, too. The chemo drugs (Revlimid) didn’t really slow me down. I continued to keep my 3-month-old grandson during the day as I had been.
Dr. Carter wanted me to consider an autologous stem cell transplant. He recommended The Blood and Marrow Transplant Group of Georgia. I met with Dr. Liza Bachier, and we scheduled a stem cell transplant for September 7, 2022.
In mid-July, I got COVID-19 and had to stop keeping my grandson, which was really disappointing. But Dr. Bachier and the blood and marrow transplant (BMT) team made the whole transplant process so easy. They were helpful every step of the way. They literally knew exactly how things would happen as I went through it … my blood count numbers dropping to zero, having a fever and a brief hospital admission (the Northside Hospital staff was amazing, too). My wife was my caregiver throughout the BMT and still helps me keep up with it all today.
The hardest part of the transplant and recovery was not being able to see my two grandsons. They were three and <1. And, of course, it meant my wife couldn’t see them either. FaceTime helped!
Dr. Bachier set up my maintenance plan for Atlanta Cancer Care to administer. I’ve been on Darzalex Faspro. It worked for about a year, and then I had to add Pomalyst. I praise God that medical research continues to come up with new treatments, including cell and gene therapies.
I know that if my numbers start to go up again, I can call Dr. Bachier, and she will set me on the right treatment path, whether it’s a new drug, another transplant or CAR-T.
I would tell anyone facing this diagnosis to stay positive, stay active, walk a lot and do what you are told — “check all the boxes.” Just do it!
And most importantly, give it to GOD because He will see you through!
Learn more about multiple myeloma treatment at Northside Hospital Cancer Institute.
*The health story shared here is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Patients should consult with their own physician before making medical decisions.
