A Diagnosis That Changed Everything
Maui Bigelow’s life shifted forever on December 11, 2017. Dr. Thomas Neal looked her in the eyes and said, “Ms. Bigelow, you have cancer.” The words hit like a tidal wave, breaking her heart and momentarily shaking her spirit.
She had been experiencing unexplained fatigue, persistent pain, and dental issues for years. Like so many Black women, she pushed through, attributing her symptoms to uterine fibroids and everyday stress. Yet, the truth was far more serious: she had Multiple Myeloma, a rare blood cancer that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. While technically incurable, Maui refused to let the diagnosis define her.
“In every crisis there is a message,” she recalls quoting Susan L. Taylor. “Crises are nature’s way of forcing change, breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.” This crisis forced her to become more intentional and live with purpose.
Understanding the Risk for Black Women
Multiple Myeloma disproportionately affects Black women. They are twice as likely to be diagnosed compared to white women, yet they are often underrepresented in research, underdiagnosed, and dismissed when reporting symptoms. Maui knows this reality firsthand.
“I was dismissed and made to feel crazy so many times before I was diagnosed,” she says. “I began to doubt myself because I was in so much pain, so exhausted, and facing dental issues that had no explanation. It was as if my body was speaking, but no one was listening.”
Her experience underscores the importance of advocacy and awareness. Black women must trust their bodies, ask questions, and insist on answers. Early detection can save lives.
Early Detection Can Change Everything
Maui was fortunate to be diagnosed during the early phase of Multiple Myeloma, called Smoldering Multiple Myeloma. At this stage, the disease is present but not yet active. While immediate treatment might not be necessary, careful monitoring is crucial.
Early detection gave Maui the opportunity to make informed decisions, plan her treatment, and take control of her health. She underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy while also adjusting her lifestyle to support her body’s healing.
“Early diagnosis means opportunity,” she says. “It allows you to be proactive rather than reactive. It allows you to protect yourself before the disease takes control.”
Lifestyle Is a Vital Part of Healing
Medical treatment is essential, but lifestyle choices play a critical role in managing Multiple Myeloma. Maui overhauled her relationship with food, cutting out sugar and eating with intention. She incorporated consistent movement to strengthen her bones, which the disease targets, and prioritized protecting her mental and emotional peace.
“My goal was not perfection; it was alignment,” Maui says. “Small, consistent choices helped my body do what it was designed to do—fight, heal, and sustain me. Lifestyle is strategy. Everything else is secondary.”
You Define Your Healing Journey
Maui emphasizes that healing is not one-size-fits-all. She combines traditional and holistic treatment, but recognizes that each person must choose the path that works best for their body, mind, and spirit. Multiple Myeloma challenges every aspect of life—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.
“You deserve to live well. I deserve to live well,” she says. “Multiple Myeloma is only part of my story; it is not the headline. Cancer does not have you. You have cancer, but you define how you live with it.”
Maui Bigelow’s journey is a powerful reminder that awareness, early detection, intentional living, and self-advocacy are essential tools for Black women navigating life with cancer. Her story shows resilience, courage, and the transformative power of taking control of one’s own health.
