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Nicole’s Story

Site created on September 10, 2023

Welcome to our CaringBridge website. Eric and I are using it to keep family and friends updated in one place. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for visiting.

My story:
In 2017, I was having multiple upper respiratory infections and having to take breathing treatments often. My doctor even believed I had asthma and prescribed an inhaler. She still was unsettled with my symptoms and sent me to an asthma and allergy specialist. After completing tests, he quickly said that I did not have asthma and ran some blood work. The results came back showing that my pneumococcal titers were low and my IgA was super high to the point he felt it was a lab error and wanted me to have the test ran again. On December 23, 2017, I received a call from the specialist. He wanted to personally call me to let me know that my lab work showed my IgA was even higher than the first labs he ran. He answered many questions I had and let me know that he was referring me to Dr. Pippas at John B Amos. The next few months were spent running tests and trying to figure out what was going on. He found that I had arthritis and potentially Ankylosing Spondylitis. I was also diagnosed with MGUS (the beginning stage of multiple myeloma). I went in for every 6 months to have labs to make sure my numbers weren’t increasing. In November of 2019, my labs and a bone marrow biopsy revealed that I was now considered to have smoldering myeloma (second stage of multiple myeloma but still watch and wait). I did my research and knew I needed a specialist. I researched and found Dr. Lonial at Emory in Atlanta was rated one of the best in the world. I mentioned his name and wanting to see him to Dr. Pippas. He said absolutely, I will call him today. What I didn’t know was that they were friends. Getting in to see Dr. Lonial was almost impossible however because of that phone call, I was able to see him the next week. (That’s my God at work!) I continued the watch and wait process every 3 months seeing both doctors. In March 2023, I noticed my labs increasing. In April, I was scheduled for a PET and bone marrow biopsy. The results revealed that I reached the markers for Multiple Myeloma (this is the active stage with treatment). Things took off and I began treatment in May. My treatment plan was a four drug chemo regiment for four cycles of 21 days. Once complete, I will undergo tests to make sure my heart, lungs, and other organs are functioning properly. Then I will have my own stem cells collected, cleaned, and transplanted. This journey has been one with many unknowns, side effects, and emotions. However, my faith stays strong and I know that this is just a season to add to my testimony and I know God is walking with me daily.

Newest Update

Journal entry by Nicole Elliott — Mar 4, 2024

This past Friday, I was blessed to walk back into my classroom. I was filled with so many emotions. Students greeted me with surprise and joy. My coworkers surprised me with gifts, balloons and flowers. A student from last year had me in tears with her excitement to see me back. Life feels like it is finally getting back to normal.

However, I have one last HUGE task to complete on this journey. The bell 🔔 needs to be rang. Why is this so important to me? I can remember sitting in the infusion center with “what ifs” of the unknowns and hearing someone ring the bell. The whole place would start clapping. I was brought to tears because of the hope it filled me with. The hope that the season I was faced with would one day be over. On Friday at 4:00, I’m beyond thrilled to share that same hope with others who are facing the unknown fears that cancer brings as I am blessed with the opportunity to ring the bell.

Thank you all again for your continued support and prayers during the toughest season that I’ve ever faced. Thank you to my Jesus, for His stripes, I have been healed!!!

Read More of the journal titled "March 04, 2024"

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