Fighting to Live: My Journey with Multiple Myeloma and the Call for Access to Care
Gwyn
State: South Carolina
Congressional District:
Diseases
Blood Disease, Cancer, Lung Disease
Issues and Challenges
Gwyn has encountered: Access to Expert Providers, Access to Medicine, Copay Issues, Insurance Issues, Medicare / Medicaid Issues, Rare / Underserved Disease, Surprise Billing
My Story
MULTIPLE MYELOMA ADVOCACY: MY STORY
Do I look like a healthy, happy 69-year-old woman? Well, I am - now! Thanks to a sound medical and pharmaceutical treatment plan for which I am advocating today.
I am Gwyndolyn Hargrett. I am a survivor of a chronic, rare, and incurable blood cancer called Multiple Myeloma. I have been in remission for 3 years now because I was able to get the proper medical and pharmaceutical treatments.
I started my treatment with the oral meds: Revlimid, Dexamethasone, Acyclovir, and then Darzalex infusions immediately. These meds had a significant impact on me. I began feeling great! Then I received my first invoice for my treatment. I almost fainted – I am not a fainting kind of woman.
My first thoughts were of others: seniors, single parents! How do those less fortunate afford these medications and life necessities? These patients, just like me, want to live and live a life of quality. Yes, people just like me and you.
Sick people are facing the mind-boggling fact that there is no cure for Multiple Myeloma. Then we may face rejections, denials, and directions from possibly non-medical persons/a machine about life-saving treatment. And just how do you manage all the other stuff? And I use the word “stuff” mildly. Please help spare hard-working, loyal citizens from having to face a horrific diagnosis and then be faced with not being able to get the properly prescribed medical treatment from our doctors.
We simply want the best care, treatments, and medications available. And preferably, without having to fight with our insurance carriers or our pharmaceutical companies. Regrettably, we - the sick person - get caught in the “fight” to live. We did not start the fight, we did not throw the first punch, and we certainly did not ask for this disease. We are in the fight for our lives with Multiple Myeloma, and we are not backing down. We just want to live. Please see us - help us.
Thank you for allowing me to share my story.
My Motivation and Inspiration
I know that I am here for a purpose. Life will happen. I refuse to let it destroy me. I will fight on. I believe God know's his plan and purpose for my life and it's all good!!
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