Our Impact
“Divine design” gives multiple myeloma patient transplant, care at home
As she nears 100 days post-transplant, Ann will have another bone marrow biopsy and will be able to receive vaccines to bolster her immune system, giving her the ability to return to doing the things she loves.
“I can’t wait to get back out and be involved in the community, go for walks, and get back to line dancing and teaching Bible study,” says Ann. “I want to see my grandkids grow up. I have more to do in this life.”
Ann says she hopes her journey will help pave the way for more people to benefit from advanced care at home. “I want to encourage people and give them hope,” says Ann. “I’m just so excited about life. I knew this was what I needed to do, and I never looked back. I am so grateful to have more time.”
Reclaiming his life after lab testing confirmed a serious illness
At 56, David was diagnosed with a slowly progressive form of muscle disease thought to be muscular dystrophy. Because of that, he was accustomed to incremental muscle wasting and weakness. But his condition took a nosedive in the months before undergoing the antibody test that confirmed the diagnosis of NAM — a serious, immune-mediated myopathy that causes rapidly progressive muscle weakness.
For David and his family, receiving a NAM diagnosis and learning that he never had muscular dystrophy brought with it mixed emotions, including relief at having answers; gratitude to Dr. Liewluck for his astute insight and to the Mayo Clinic Labs team for developing the test; and excitement for a treatment.
David will likely require some form of therapy for the rest of his life to counteract the effects of NAM, but the benefit he receives following each infusion assures him that he’s on the right path. “What a difference one lab can make — one thing can change a life,” he says.