Describing her life as a ‘storybook’, Kimberly Alexander shares with Alicia and Lizette from The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society how her world was turned upside down after her late husband and NFL linebacker Elijah was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. What began as pain in his feet, usually disregarded due to his active lifestyle, Elijah was later diagnosed with Stage III-B multiple myeloma at 35 years old. Kimberly describes her transition to ‘caregiver’, how she continues to maintain normalcy for their two young boys, and the importance of self-care and doing what you love in spite of change.
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Support for this episode provided by Amgen.
I was able to relate to every single thing in this podcast. I am a caregiver for my husband who was diagnosed this year at age 40 and we have 2 young children as well. Thank you, Kimberly, for sharing your story. It helped me more than you know!
Hi Beth,
We are so happy to hear that this episode helped you during this challenging time. If you’d like to speak with one of our Information Specialists about myeloma and other support resources, please call us at (800) 955-4572, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
We wish you and your family well!
Beth, you are so welcome!!! I’m sending you a virtual hug because I know how tough it is to be a caregiver, wife, and mom. Keep up the amazing work and make sure you take some time to care for yourself too.
Hi Kimberly, my heart breaks for you and your family’s story and my condolences on the loss of your beautiful husband. I am an MM patient of 3 years and although in treatment I continue to have chronic pain. I was wondering if you have a description of the pain your husband experienced in his feet that lead to his diagnosis? My feet are very painful! I have neuropathy from the chemo drugs but it goes beyond that. They are always sore, achy and stiff. Especially my big toe joints. I am no professional athlete but do stay active. lol Just wondering as I have never heard of “foot pain” as being an MM symptom. I Canada we don’t really have MM specialists so my oncologist doesn’t even know any other patients with pain. I am on a quest to find answers so I hope you will take a moment to answer me. Thank you in advance! ~ Penny