South Carolina multiple myeloma cancer survivor shares her story of triumph
Thousands of people die from multiple myeloma every year, and one survivor of the disease is sharing her story of triumph.
Michelle Greer is a wife, mother, and grandmother. In 2018, she had an accident with her shoulder.
"I fractured my left shoulder in three places, and after a couple surgeries, it was determined after that, that I had a mass that was developing in my shoulder," said Greer.
In November 2021, she was in the shock of her life when she went to the Bon Secours Cancer Center and diagnosed with multiple myeloma.
"With that diagnosis, come the shock of that "C" word, cancer. That big word cancer," said Greer.
Greer then went through rounds of chemotreatments.
"With cancer, you have your symptoms. Your nausea, you're not feeling good, and I had my injections in my stomach. So, I didn't want to eat, I wanted all soft foods. The journey was a lot of bad and dark days," said Greer.
The Mayo Clinic says in multiple myeloma, cancer builds up inside bone marrow.
Greer gives credit to her medical team and her family for seeing her through her cancer journey.
"Having people here that you come see, and the greatest nurse navigator, Victoria Welch, helped me with this process of learning how to accept it, for one. And then two, not allowing it to overtake you," said Greer.
"To have family that supported me and my husband, Eddie Greer, has been wonderful," said Greer.
More than a year later, she is in remission and grateful to be alive.
"It's just a journey, and it's one step at a time. One step, one breath, breathe in, breathe out," said Greer.
"I thank God that he allowed me to make it through," said Greer.
The American Cancer Society estimates over 35,000 new cases of multiple myeloma this year.