Fenix Theuerkorn with his daughter at a past multiple myeloma march event in Nanaimo. Theuerkorn said he's on heightened awareness due to COVID-19 and his compromised immune system.  the (Submitted photo)

By Ian Holmes

blood cancer

‘I’m making the best of it:’ Nanaimo man up for multiple myeloma fight

Sep 5, 2020 | 7:41 AM

NANAIMO — An incurable blood cancer diagnosis was hard for Fenix Theuerkorn to accept, but the Nanaimo man said there is reason to be hopeful.

Theuerkorn learned he had multiple myeloma in 2017 after several medical tests, more than a year of mounting debilitating pain in his ribs, fatigue and shortness of breath.

The 57-year-old VIU instructor underwent extensive chemotherapy in 2018, a successful stem cell transplant and now his cancer is in remission.

While his quality of life has improved, Theuerkorn still has aches and pains in his bones and gets tired at times.

“The cancer doesn’t go away, it always comes back, in very few cases it disappears.”

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Theuerkorn has stage three myeloma, the most advanced form of a disease which can be fatal.

However, he is encouraged by treatment breakthroughs in recent years to lengthen and improve quality of life in those with the second most common form of blood cancer.

“I don’t want it to control my life. It’s just adjusting what your expectations are,” Theuerkorn told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Theuerkorn raved about the support network available online and in-person in Nanaimo to help myeloma sufferers, especially right after he learning he had the disease.

“Just having other people that you can talk with is a game-changer for many people, it was for me.”

The third annual Multiple Myelmoa March takes place Monday, Sept. 7 in Nanaimo.

Small neighbourhood walks are planned to replace the usual gathering at Maffeo Sutton Park light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com
On Twitter: @reporterholmes