When María García Rivera was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2007, doctors at the time told her she probably had 10 to 12 years to live.
18 years have passed.
During that time, she has been spending lots of fun time with her family, including adventures like a trip to Disney World. She prayed at every opportunity, said the rosary every morning, and shared her favorite prayers with others she met along her journey.
But those 18 years also brought significant challenges. Two bone marrow transplants, a second cancer diagnosis, multiple complex surgeries, and adaptation to several new cancer drugs.
Through all of this, Maria's UR medical teams in Geneva and Rochester and her team at Wilmot Cancer Institute kept her moving forward, offering many new options.
In particular, Maria says she is grateful to have such knowledgeable cancer care professionals close to her home in Geneva.
“If something happens to me, I can call the office and they'll tell me the next steps,” she says. “I feel safe here.”
She also appreciates their kindness. For example, they remember that she likes ginger ale without ice and prefers barbecue chips while on an IV at the office.
“I’m here,” she says. “I thank God every day for another day.”
maria's story
Maria's treatment began in 2008 with two bone marrow transplants. Those, along with chemotherapy, kept the cancer at bay for a while, but since then she has tried various treatments prescribed by her medical oncologist, Dr. Dirk Barnold. He is collaborating with Dr. Frank Passero, a Wilmot multiple myeloma specialist in Rochester, regarding Maria's care. She is currently receiving immunotherapy called teclistomab and is in remission.
“When the medication stopped working, Dr. Barnold would move on to the next one, and I would go into remission, and lo and behold, he immediately prescribed the next one,” she says. “He didn't wait. He just did what he had to do.”
After being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2021, Maria began chemotherapy, but complications arose and she had to travel to Rochester for emergency surgery to remove the tumor by Fergal Fleming, MD.
Her cancer had spread to her liver, so she underwent a second surgery by liver surgeon Dr. Roberto Hernandez Alejandro. During the surgery, Hernandez Alejandro had a liver tumor and three of eight parts of his liver removed.
Four years have passed since the surgery, and she is still doing well. Her liver is fully functional and has regenerated to normal size.
Despite now being in remission, dealing with her dual diagnosis wasn't easy, but she connected with the 'Thrive to Survive' group in Geneva, which helped her cope throughout her treatment. The group meets the first Saturday morning of each month, and the friendships she has formed have proven invaluable.
“We share our problems with each other. We cry and laugh,” says Maria. “We've become like family.”
Her own family and friends also helped her cope and they are still by her side. She brings her teddy bear, Chia, to most IV appointments. It was a gift from a colleague when she was first diagnosed with the disease in 2007.
She comes to WCI Geneva every two weeks for myeloma immunotherapy treatment. It's not easy. Some days I don't feel like eating, and other days I feel tired. But it's never a bad day when she visits WCI Geneva. Despite the hardships she has been through, she is known for coming to work with a smile on her face and greeting her team with gratitude.
“I would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Wilmot in Rochester and Geneva,” Maria said. “They were caring and wonderful. They kept me safe and gave me hugs and support. They are all special to me.”
