Two years ago, multiple myeloma entered my life unexpectedly and without permission. I was only 48 years old. A few weeks after feeling acute and unusual pain in my right hip, I was diagnosed. I had multiple myeloma, an incurable cancer unknown to most, associated with a life expectancy of 4 to 8 years. Whoa! Surreal news – it hit me hard.

Only a few days after getting this startling news, and just as I was starting a CyBorD (Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone) treatment, I signed up for Montreal’s Multiple Myeloma March that was taking place a week later on September 17, 2017.

Véronica Gill at the Multiple Myeloma March in 2017, with Mireille Vachon, Emmanuelle Gill-Oupert, Eric Léger, Diane Pronovost, Louis Gill and Francine Noël.

My goal was to "use" this event as an opportunity to get a sense for what was happening to me and help me get through what was to come. When sharing this devastating news with my loved ones, family, friends and colleagues, I asked them to donate for the cause. While my initial campaign objective was $1,000, to my great surprise, many donated and I was able to raise $6,000 in only six days! This wave of support gave me the courage and hope I needed to face this life challenge and my new reality.

The CyBorD treatment continued in the fall of 2017 but the protocol had to be replaced after just one month due to intolerance to bortezomib (Velcade). Instead, I received a treatment combination of lenalidomide (Revlimid) and dexamethasone (Decadron) for

four months. At the end of this first phase of treatment, the news was excellent; signs

and symptoms had diminished by more than 90%! 

During the winter of 2018, I was in prep phase for a stem cell transplant. This crucial procedure for helping to treat multiple myeloma took place in April, on a Friday the 13 ^th!

I wasn’t sure how I felt about the date, but thanks to social media, I found a philosophical and humorous explanation: "Friday the 13 ^th is better than Monday the whatever".

Regardless of my diagnosis, I have always defined myself as a healthy person. Daily

living is not always easy when undergoing high dose treatments that affect body, mind

and spirit, especially knowing that even once in complete remission, the disease can make a comeback at anytime.



That said, I made a promise to myself from the very beginning of my myeloma journey

that I would remain active and positive. I have been a choir member for many years now and even with all the uncertainties surrounding my daily activities, I chose to continue this weekly activity that brings me so much physically, socially and mentally. In fact, I was happy and proud to participate in our annual concert in June 2018 (with a bare head!) less than two months after my stem cell transplant.

On September 30, 2018, as I was slowly recovering from my stem cell transplant, I took part, once again, in Montreal’s Multiple Myeloma March.Thanks to the generosity of my loved ones, I was able to raise a little over $3,000. Once again, family members and close friends walked with me. Unlike 2017 when the temperature was hot and humid, the weather for the 2018 March was cold and rainy but I still went. 

Véronica and her dog Bailey.

Weeks went by and my recovery took longer than expected. While I was hoping to go back to work in the fall of 2018, health problems, such as repeat infections, delayed my return to my "old life".

Following my treatments, I had to meet with specialists to address various ailments and receive weekly injections of antibodies to support my immune system. Despite the frustration and discouragement at times, I was patient. I decided to adopt a dog. Bailey, a poodle and Yorkshire mix, has not only been my companion but he forced me, in a difficult period of my life, to get out of bed every morning! Despite the cold and gloominess all winter, I was out two or three times a day to walk with him, and I still do so to this day.

In the spring of 2019, I slowly started to get my energy back and was able to gradually return to work. On May 26 ^th , there was another opportunity to contribute to myeloma research and raise awareness: the Défi Cyclo-myélome in support of the Université de Montréal’s Myeloma Canada Chair for multiple myeloma at the Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital. My teammates and I (team Cyclo-Véro) raised $5,640 for the cause! Since I had not trained and was not in the best physical shape (but absolutely wanted to participate!),

I rented an electric bike for the day. This allowed me to tackle the 60 km journey and complete the challenge!

Véronica at the Défi Cyclo-myélome's finish line.

Véronica with her daughter hiking in Chic-Chocs in 2016.

Since May, I have been back at work three days a week. This summer, I was able to resume an activity I am passionate about but had to put aside for the past two years...

I spent a few days hiking in Chic-Chocs Gaspésie with my daughter. I also recently celebrated my 15 ^th year with Les Voix Ferrées choir. I'm also pursuing, when I have the time and energy, a graduate study project that I put aside after my diagnosis. The challenge of fatigue, both physical and mental, is ever present. I cope with this reality by taking more breaks and by better managing the intensity of my work and activities.

Véronica with her daughter, her son and his girlfriend at the Multiple Myeloma March in Quebec City in 2019.

I have been a member of the myeloma community since this disease entered my life in September 2017. To honour the patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals and researchers, I once again took part in Myeloma Canada’s flagship fundraising event this year. On September 15 ^th , I participated in Quebec’s Multiple Myeloma March* and walked in memory of François Casgrain, a friend of the family from Quebec, who died in January from myeloma complications.

It is my hope to not only witness a cure for this cancer but to personally benefit from it! I commit to participating each year in one of Myeloma Canada's marches.

For as long as I have the strength to do it, I will be there!

Véronica Gill

*You can donate to the Multiple Myeloma March until the end of October.

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