My name is Pat Killingsworth. I am a brother, a husband and a writer. I am also a multiple myeloma patient.

Over the past few years I have become a big fan of the Myeloma Beacon! The Beacon site is more than a blog – it is a comprehensive online resource for myeloma patients and caregivers.

After some discussion about a number of ways in which I could contribute to the site, the Beacon staff suggested I could write a weekly column about multiple myeloma from a patient's perspective.

I responded: “Yes! When do I start – and what would you like me to write about?”

Since the Myeloma Beacon already features medical news updates about the latest multiple myeloma treatments, clinical trials, and research, we decided I should concentrate on the patient and not the medical process.

Fair enough! I interact daily with cancer patients from around the world who read my two daily blogs.

These patients share their thoughts, feelings, and pain. They ask questions about different medications and side effects.

But mostly, these myeloma patients just want to know that they aren't alone – that others have been forced to endure the same pain and anxiety they have – and lived to tell about it!

Such is the curse of multiple myeloma. I have described it as “death by 1,000 paper cuts.” Lots of hills and valleys—lots of waiting, watching, and worrying.

It can be difficult, but we all need to remember there is hope – at least for most of us. The dark days get brighter, and our lives go on – that is, until the next relapse or crisis.

Based on my experience in dealing with so many multiple myeloma patients and caregivers over the past few years, I plan to write about a number of topics which are important to my “myeloma friends.” These include:

• Tips for battling peripheral neuropathy, vertigo, and bone pain
• Creating a winning health care team
• Using nutrition to help fight multiple myeloma
• Common chemotherapy side effects your doctor may not know about
• Ways to deal with some of these side effects
• How patients can communicate more effectively with their caregivers
• How caregivers can communicate more effectively with patients
• Dealing with friends, relatives, and strangers—How and when to tell them (or not tell them) you have cancer
• Answers to reader's questions
• And your suggestions!

Do you have any questions or suggestions for future columns? Let me know them!

Feel good and keep smiling! Pat