Name: STAN WAGNER

Age:61

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

Reason for climbing: Multiple Myeloma Patient

In early 2013, my somewhat normal life came to a screeching halt.

After being diagnosed with Smoldering Multiple Myeloma in the spring of 2012, my doctor informed me that the myeloma was advancing. Since I was still fairly strong, and my bones and organs had not yet been attacked by the cancer, my doctor felt it was a good time to start treatment.

As scary as multiple myeloma is, the thought of treatment scared me even more. But it was the right decision. After five cycles of chemotherapy, I was in complete remission. I continued treatment and harvested my stem cells. And now, almost 2 years later, I’m still in remission without a stem cell transplant thanks to the drugs the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) has pushed to get approved.

My life isn’t like it used to be. My “new normal” includes monthly blood work, maintenance therapy with a lower dose of the drug I took during the first nine months of treatment, and quarterly infusions of Zometa to help strengthen my bones.

Though I missed a few days of work during my treatment, I never quit my job. My wonderful wife, Pamela has helped me get through this. Always telling me not to worry unless it’s time to worry. And I continue to get around New York on my Vespa. It’s convenient, and just knowing that I’m still able to do it is an indicator to myself that I’m okay.

Cancer has pushed me to do things I’d never thought of doing. I’ve been a moderator on a Facebook MM Support page. I’ve helped start a Brooklyn MM support group. I’ve been a fundraiser for the MMRF. And now I’m going to climb one of the tallest mountains in the world. Cancer sucks. But it’s definitely not going to stop me.