OMF - Representative Brad Hill, 51, multiple myeloma, Ipswich 8-21-18

Massachusetts Representative Brad Hill was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2008 during the election.

During an otherwise routine physical, his doctor ordered some blood tests that led to the initial diagnosis.

Representative Hill came to Dana-Farber for his care and his treatment has included participation in a clinical trial that mixed biological therapy, a stem cell transplant, and high-dose chemotherapy. He cites maintaining a positive attitude as key to his treatment.

Since 1999, Representative Hill has served as the representative for the Fourth Essex District, which covers Hamilton, Ipswich, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rowley, Topsfield, and Wenham. He also is the assistant minority leader in the House.

Representative Hill has been a patient of Dr. Paul Richardson for the past 10 years.


Let me introduce you to representative Brad hill he for the last twenty years. As represented the Essex district Europe in Hamilton and Ipswich in Manchester picks his V Manchester by the C. I yet cola can yes we don't you don't. And and routes courtesy nice to see you as well as you give us you're whole story because it you were actually out there campaign correct. So 2008 were out campaigning for reelection and all of a sudden now we go to my doctor art. Our primary care doctor having our round update in and getting a big check over and all of a sudden has some questions about. Anything that might be happening out of the ordinary and I told him about some night sweats that I was having. And he ended up doing an extra blood test and went you know I got multiple myeloma. And once we had diagnosed with multiple mine Wal-Mart we've reached out to. Dana Farber and now this great guy here doctor Richardson. Took me under his wing and now from that point on. Five years after the diagnosed we had a little bit of an issue with the cancer you know started blossoming if you well. And now we went through. Literally a stem cell transplant. And five years later here I am alive and well. You know it's it's only when each other stories that my father is it alters well. That gives you go to the doctor and an excuse anything going on any music now. Everything's fine even though you know that's what made you talk about those those sweats were you concerned by the thought it would stick that's no big deal not gonna tell him. But I'm guessing by telling him it up as processing peculiar. Well as a young person I was in my forties at that time and I'm like I said I would literally wake up in the middle of the night my pillow would be soaked. And I didn't think that was a normal thing that happened. So when he you know get asked that says yes we have some issues at night and he took an extra blood test thank god literally. And now we found out that we have this diagnosis. So doctorates in what is it like for you when you he would be popular politician Roland. The soon you automatically puts your yours your. Personal views aside your loot you. If you ask him okay Democrat Republican. And it. Received an NFL. I. Hello I exploitative boy Christian like yeah. You know a month month. My wife and let me so you know I. Dog agility foot so not quite serious it was a pleasure to meet try to reel on and it's a privilege to hear from patients so you know office come from everywhere. And when I'm at credit really had no idea to simply knew that new and you darkness my them for young man with a beautiful slam means. Very special to have his daughter Courtney witness here. Here's an aspiring medical student at least unless you know exactly and when I first met Brad Coley was eleven so that was that's lovely to have you. You know we suspect he'll we see that alive like either of these kids they're big younger kids or young adults who are going through something like this either wanna become nurses. Or they get into shape and medical field because of their. Just that there around it they're learning about it if you wanna make it different it's it's just teaching to see. That that that's a machine youngsters. Over the last ten years she's watched it you know good the bad and the ugly out. Can relate to and I'm sure for other patient which you get to that point absolutely and you know it makes a person a lot more Karen when you have to witness it firsthand. And dot part of his treatment include include threaten the clinical trials and that's one of the things we hear for right now those big numbers up there and important things we've done. That is tough on them for seventeen years in order to have those clinical trials unique money. Right so mean how important is that for you'd be able to do your job in and give all of these trial. That's a great question and I think the important messages and threats to beautiful song is that. Regardless of who he has as a patient becomes stool tools to seven. And basic tees looked off to a minus two old specialist salzman transportation. Mary McKenna has been sent phenomenal to Brad success. And the reality is that it's communion to you tease him and follow. We've we've we've waited initially at times watch and wait treat him with some relatively gentle treatment initially. And then spread. Went about his disease and really moved forty starts. And at that point and clinical trials and so on so that you mention it because it's trials and follow the lead snatched. It's trial and samples 56 and across the country and we rule to patients in the study. But only. Cutting edge treatment but actually comfort to the rev limit is provided as well thanks to the support of the pharmaceutical on the masons will. So this really important for patients across the countries of this explanation electro. Which we sort of establish whether new treatments and myeloma. Necessitated in the east tries so basically in Pratt's case he was assigned to the transformed group. But the patients in the saints have been cut back tumors. 11 Pakistan with patients like this weather and everybody's transformed young with him or whether we can keep it and there's. Because it's quite challenging some patients in particular can be toxic it's very important question because if on new treatments are good enough that we expectations. Side effects and so on so much about it. I'm really you know moment to describe it is often as a painful that is strong in partnership with colleagues in frauds we've built the study. Across those countries in the US and and and owns two stories mornings it's the largest audience on. And to have someone's you know. As remarkable as Brad as a as a matter of that studies estimate how successful that's being mean. Joking aside any threat to present an open mind myself off but it it's great to see if so I. And it matters that he's doing exceptionally well in complete remission after astronauts also. They Freddie got a note to opera you know Iraq the absolute best place but when you hear that story. About what Dana Farber is leading as far as research goes I mean does that blow your mind that you're there because of that it's helped you to your part of that. Well it it blows my mind for sure but I think more importantly people need to understand you're talking about the funding and where these dollars go that they're giving today. What happened ten years ago. And what happened five years ago in what's happening today are totally different these dollars are going into research. So if these trials don't work it's as it this one has but if it hadn't war. There's going to be other opportunities. Another trials for us to go on to make us better. And I remember the very first appointment you when I had you said if you had to have the cancer this was the one to have because the researchers been so phenomenal in this particular cancer. That we're going to be able to keep your life for years to come. You've kept a promise I'll let you know I think it's a privilege I think it's remarkable well I think it's remarkable we've been doing this for seventeen years sprouted up doc. He's talking about side effects. 1015 years ago you were worried about side effects you were worried about dealing with the disease at the end. And now you've made so much progress Houston ago okay. We're really curing a lot of people now let's see if we can contain some of the side effects apps and make the quality of life as we dealing with a much easier. Amazing when you you're sitting at Dartmouth side effects. Well thank you for pointing that out and that's exactly right it's not just a matter of how long you live but how you live. And for patients it's critically important little new treatments that have been developed that we don't in any way lose sight of the fact that the quality of life is essential. That's our real hope is that with these new paradigm changing treatment approaches. We can optimize on on the quantity of life. Capitals of quality of life and I think. Important message is that the challenge in my element has been a lovely piece about the amount of wonderful patient about its recent on NEC and the late equal to graft. She exemplifies two brats point. But don't foresee transformed and best therapies can fail patients and in that setting you need new treatments and she's getting one and a brand new anti political dart to the map. And she's living better than she's ever list. The challenge unfortunately as the disease does remaining curable so lawsuit make great progress we still got a long way to go to get there. Are we going to do I think we'll get you right people are right and people can call right now and help also we can get there at 8777381. To report. Our great senior present it was a while saying Joan well doc it's always good senior was at best places pleasure thank you senator that's graduated.