Randall’s Journey with Multiple Myeloma

In May of 2017, I retired after working for 40 years. I was looking forward to the time that was ahead immensely.

In July 2017, I was informed that I was the recipient of a disease called multiple myeloma.

I had been lethargic for a few months prior to that, and my family doctor told me that I was extremely anemic in basic blood tests he had made. He referred me to an oncologist that had previously treated my mom and aunt for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS).

The oncologist’s name is Dr. Monica Verma, and she is a very capable and caring physician. I had seen this when she worked with my mother and aunt. I had no reservations that she was well qualified and would handle whatever came my way. Dr. Verma ordered a battery of blood tests and a bone marrow biopsy and scheduled a return visit in 2 weeks.

On the return visit, she went over the results and said she was confident it was myeloma. At the time, I thought it was the end of the world. I had never heard of multiple myeloma.

I was in a daze as I heard Dr. Verma say that 36 months was the average lifespan of a patient with this diagnosis.

My first response was, “I believe that I will prove you wrong on that.”

That thought came from my father who was a tanker under General George Patton in the Battle of the Bulge.

Before she started treatment, she wanted me to see a colleague that was a professor at Emory University Medical School. He specializes in multiple myeloma. He also is affiliated with the Emory Winship Cancer Center. His name is Dr. Ajay Nooka.

I went to Emory and met with Dr. Nooka. I walked down the hall to his office and as I entered, he said, “Dr. Verma told me you were ill, but you look like could play for the Falcons.” At that point I asked him if he would mind me asking a question: “Do you think that you will cure my cancer, or do you use God to guide your decisions?” Without hesitation he answered, “God uses my hands and my mind. With him all things are possible.” I answered, “That is good; I won’t have to go down the hall and hire another doctor.” That was the beginning of a business relationship that turned into a mutual admiration friendship.

I began the journey of prepping for a stem cell transplant. On December 18th 2016, I entered Emory hospital to have an autologous stem cell transplant. During the process I got e-coli, RSV, and a bout with A-fib.

I finally got out of the hospital after about 3 weeks and resided in a hotel for another 2 weeks to make sure that all was well. I went home for a 90-day quarantine because I had no immunity at that point because of the procedure.

The stem cell transplant lasted 18 months until I relapsed.

A slight sense of fear set in as I remembered losing both my parents and a precious daughter to cancers of different types. Then came thoughts of how each of them fought their battles.

None of them ever, ever quit fighting, and I was sure I was going to do the same.

I had 4 more relapse events following the stem cell relapse. Each came with different treatments: chemo, steroids, and other drugs which were made into cocktails given intravenously.

Each type or series of drugs is called a line. When the last line failed in October of 2022, Dr. Nooka offered me a CAR-T transplant which at that time was in clinical trials. I, of course, said yes. I had so much confidence in my dealings with Dr. Nooka that I was willing to go full steam ahead.

I had the CAR-T on January 4th 2023 and am now in remission. I always think about my cancer because presently it is not curable. Dr. Nooka and I do hope & pray that one day it will be.

About the Author

Randall J.

Randall is a native born Georgian who enjoys the out of doors. He likes to hunt, fish, and camp with his grandsons, and he took up the hobby of genealogy during his battle with cancer. Randall also completed the requirements to obtain membership in the Sons of the American Revolution, an organization that ties him back to his 4th great-grandfather who fought for our independence during the American Revolution. Randall has been married to his wife, Linda, for 55 years. “Without her help, I never would have been able to fight this fight.” Randall is a member of the Baptist faith and believes God’s intervention through the hands of his doctor has him where he is today.

CAR-T cell therapy multiple myeloma patient stories

Last modified: April 17, 2025