Pat’s Place: Common Traits Among Long-Lived Multiple Myeloma Survivors
The media often does stories about people who have lived at least one hundred years. What is their secret? Are these centenarians—as they are called—simply lucky, or do they share commonalities that might help others live longer?
The answer is yes. Yes they are lucky. And yes, many have certain things in common.
These common traits include staying active, a family history of longevity, commitment to family, friends and/or their community, and a positive attitude or innate ability to deal with stress.
I like to ask multiple myeloma survivors a variety of questions about their lives since their myeloma diagnosis. Sometimes I come right out and ask them, “Why do you think you have been able to survive so long?”
Like centenarians, long-lived multiple myeloma survivors tend to have a lot in common. Most stay active, have a strong connection to friends and family, and have a positive attitude or innate ability to cope with life with cancer.
One of my dear friends, Karl Vollstedt, has lived with multiple myeloma for over eight years.
And I have met survivors who have lived a lot longer than that! Ten years isn’t uncommon. I sat next to a 14-year survivor at a conference last year. I took an airport shuttle with an 18-year survivor a few years back.
While I was at the American Society of Hematology meeting this past December, I had the opportunity to speak with two people—one man and one woman—who had both lived over 20 years since they were first diagnosed with myeloma. 20 YEARS!
One of these survivors had even lived that long without undergoing a stem cell transplant. Both are currently active and living relatively normal lives. AMAZING!
So what is their secret? I’m not saying that we have ultimate control over our fates. Of course the aggressiveness of our myeloma probably has a large impact on our outcomes. But there are a number of things I have noticed long-term myeloma survivors tend to have in common:
- All that I know have used a wide variety of therapies throughout the course of their disease
- All have had set-backs, often serious
- All are self-educated about multiple myeloma treatment options, and are actively involved with their treatment
- All have strong health care teams and support from friends and family
- Most, but not all, have had strong caregiver support from a spouse
- Most have also had to deal with other serious, but unrelated, health issues
- All have faced unexpected complications, fought hard, and come out smiling on the other side
- All have had—and continue to have—a strong will to LIVE!
Next week I will take a closer look at these commonalities and share some advice from these multiple myeloma “centenarians.”
Feel good and keep smiling! Pat
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Hi Pat,
This is a great topic for folks. I have always taken heart from the long survivors, and been inspired by their stories -- some have been through a lot, and they are each so courageous. It has been, of course, my goal to join their ranks. So how about you kind of revisit the topic of long survival in 2016. That will be my 10th year of living with myeloma. And we can each tell the story of what we've been through in living for so long. Deal?
Hi Lou-
You have yourself a deal! 2016 will by my 8th year post-diagnosis. Do we get to do this from a remote, tropical island--hopefully with umbrella drinks and soft sea breezes? Pat
Wonderful topic, Pat. Thanks! I take courage from the success stories of MM survivors and I look forward to your series of articles.
Great topic. I am 6+ years out from diagnosis of MM. In 2016, if I'm here, it will be 12, so I really like Lou's suggestion!
Sean and April-
I am starting to work on next week's column now. Hopefully I will help uncover some commonalities and tips we all can use! Pat
Hi Pat
Yes we take hope from those who beat the odds, my wife is approaching 15 years since diagnosis and all is well.
Can I have permission to reprint your articles on our web site in Australia?
Regards
Brian
I'm glad your wife is doing so well, Brian. How wonderful! I can't give you permission to reprint my column--The Myeloma Beacon owns the rights. I will try to find some answers for you- Pat
ο συζυγος μου εδω και ενα χρονο εχει πολλαπλο μυελωμα,ειναι μολις 33 σπανια περιπτοση λενε οι γιατροι,μεχρι τωρα ολα καλα με τις θεραπειες και παμε στο επομενο σταδιο που ειναι η μεταμοσχευση. [Translation, courtesy of Google - My husband a year ago has multiple myeloma is only 33 rare periptosi doctors say, so far, so good with the treatments and go to the next stage which is the transplantation."]
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