I like to look over other reader's comments after I read an article here at The Myeloma Beacon.

That's exactly what I did on Tuesday after reading Sean Murray’s column, Sean's Burgundy Thread: Staying Connected To Yourself While Living With Myeloma ^[1]. If you haven't read Sean's columns yet, you should—it is a really fun read.

Sean and I both tend to be very proactive and positive when dealing with our cancer.

Anyway, I have noticed lots of similar comments following both of our columns recently. The consensus seems to be that wanting to stay positive and to help our fellow patients is one thing, but incorporating these principles in one's daily life is another.

In August, I wrote a column titled, Pat's Place: Suggestions From Multiple Myeloma Patients To Help Us All Stay Positive ^[2]. There were some outstanding suggestions from our fellow patients in that article. But again, sometimes reading suggestions like these only makes things worse.

You may ask, “Why can't I do what these other patients do? Why can't I feel like these people feel?

I understand! I can't speak for Sean, but my guess is—like me—Sean is just wired that way. We are both “glass half full” kind of guys!

But I bet Sean has bad days too—I know I do! We all do. It isn't easy being positive when you don't feel well or can't afford to pay for your next round of meds.

Having multiple myeloma can be a real downer! But with many of us living longer and enjoying a better quality of live, it would be a real shame for any of us to give up without a fight.

The last thing any of us need is to kick ourselves for being down or not being more like someone else. That only makes things worse.

Give yourself a break! Embrace your feelings. Mourn, get angry, or withdraw for a while if you must. But my bet is eventually you will feel good—and then you can keep smiling! Pat