Multiple Myeloma Care Inspires Thoughtful Gifts to Fuel Research

When Paula Dugan experienced chest soreness after a boxing session with her trainer nearly a decade ago, she didn’t think much of it.

An active woman in her 50s, Paula was accustomed to occasional soreness after exercise, and soon after, agreed to join a friend on vacation. At one point during a boat ride on her trip, a sharp turn caused Paula to fall, hitting her back and ribs. Again, she brushed it off, assuring others on the boat that she was fine.

It was only after she got home that she realized something was wrong.

“I’m bending down to pick up a towel, and my bones feel like they’re falling out of their sockets,” she remembered.

Local Treatment After a Surprise Diagnosis

Paula went to the Emergency Room twice for x-rays, but nothing appeared out of place. An MRI revealed a mass in her chest. After meeting with a thoracic surgeon, Paula learned she had multiple myeloma, a blood cancer originating in the plasma cells of bone marrow that is generally considered treatable, but not curable. Her research for treatment plans included listening to well-intentioned friends who suggested that she should travel out of state to seek care, far away from her home in the Morristown, NJ area.

“I have five children; I’m not going to Boston,” she recalled. “At this point, I’m thinking ‘I want to do everything I can. I want to go to the best place,’ But I didn’t think traveling far was a possibility.”

Paula was surprised to learn that she could receive excellent care without leaving New Jersey. Many people in her church community recommended the Hackensack Meridian John Theurer Cancer Center, and specifically David Siegel, M.D., Ph.D., for multiple myeloma care. After one meeting with Dr. Siegel, Paula was convinced that he was the best doctor to treat her.

“He said ‘you can’t treat everyone the same. Everyone’s body chemistry is completely different,’” Paula said, appreciating the personalized care offered at John Theurer.

A Personalized Approach to Treating Multiple Myeloma

Because Paula was athletic and relatively young for a multiple myeloma patient (the average age at diagnosis nationwide is 69 years old, according to the National Institutes of Health), her care team recommended an aggressive approach that included a tandem transplant. Each transplant was a rigorous, monthlong process that involved the taking of blood cells and stem cells from her body, having the cancer cells removed using a centrifuge, and then returning the cells. Because the treatment included a massive reduction in Paula’s white blood cell count, she had to stay hospitalized for a month at a time.

“I didn’t do a lot for a long time, and I’m an active person. That was the hardest part of it, to be in isolation,” said Paula, who brought a yoga mat and weights to the hospital.

Paula completed two of these grueling cycles within a year. Currently, her treatment is ongoing but far less invasive. She stops by John Theurer — less than an hour from her home — quarterly for blood work and bone-enhancing infusions. She used to receive Zometa® (zoledronic acid), but her regimen now includes Xgeva® (denosumab).

“I actually enjoy going there,” said Paula, appreciating the friendly approach of her care team. “There’s an obvious attention to detail, but an attention as a person. Not as a cancer.”

Gratitude for Personalized Treatment at the John Theurer Cancer Center

There is a long list of people who are grateful for Paula’s care, including her five children, her supportive church community and her mother, Jane Kaplan. Paula described her mother, who turned 92 earlier this year, as someone who actively studies multiple myeloma. Jane has spoken with Dr. Siegel multiple times, and appreciates how personal Paula’s care has been.

“He said ‘we treat you all as family,’ and that’s the truth,” Jane said. “I’ve seen it myself when I happen to go to appointments with her. I see that we are treated like family. It’s so important, and I’m so impressed with them.”

Jane has supported the John Theurer Cancer Center with generous gifts and donations in gratitude for her daughter’s care.

“It’s been such a wonderful experience for her,” she said. “It’s such a great hospital.”

Paula, in turn, has been floored by her mother’s generosity.

“I am moved to tears. It’s such a grand gesture. It’s how she loves her children,” she said. “This is her appreciation.”

Dr. Siegel, who serves as chief of the Division of Multiple Myeloma at John Theurer Cancer Center, says Jane’s gifts are making a profound impact.

“We don’t get to evolve as a multiple myeloma program without the support of the Kaplan family, and people like them,” he said. “The gifts that she has given us have allowed us to support data analysis that, in some ways, substantiates the approach that we take. I think having different approaches is very, very important.”

Dr. Siegel added that donations from generous people like the Kaplan family allows the Cancer Center to do more than just treat patients — it allows team members to conduct research into the origin and evolution of myeloma, opening the door for future breakthroughs.

Paula is appreciative of her care team, including her stem cell doctor, David Vesole, M.D., Ph.D., FACP, and everyone else at John Theurer.

“You just felt like it’s a home away from home. You have all these strangers — who became friends — caring for you. They’re remarkable. Every single person.”

To learn how you can support patients like Paula, visit GiveHMH.org/JTCC.