Years of Shoulder Pain Led to Life-Changing Cancer Diagnosis for Texas Father

Eric Dillon lived for years with persistent shoulder pain, dismissing it as a common rotator cuff injury. His condition worsened significantly in May 2024, prompting further investigation.

An MRI revealed a far more serious issue, leading to a referral to an oncologist. Dillon was shocked to learn he had multiple myeloma, a cancer of plasma cells. This diagnosis explained the bone pain he had experienced for years, a condition also present in his extended family.

“

I walked in there, and she asked me, 'Do you know why you're here?' I said, 'I have a referral from another doctor for you.' She said, 'I'm an orthopedic oncologist... I deal with cancer.' I was speechless and could only manage to say, 'Wait, what?'

His treatment plan was immediately established, and he was offered a spot in a clinical trial for an experimental drug. Dillon found this participation empowering, stating, "Being in a clinical trial for me was a plus. It made me feel a lot better. It gave me a little more control and better understanding of what was happening."

He underwent eight cycles of treatment, a process that lasted nearly a year. This typically involves a combination of targeted drugs, immunotherapy, and steroids, alongside the experimental medication. Dillon's story serves as a reminder to heed the body's signals, as cancer symptoms can manifest in unexpected ways.

“

Being in a clinical trial for me was a plus. It made me feel a lot better. It gave me a little more control and better understanding of what was happening.