This week marks an important milestone along my multiple myeloma journey. It has now been five years since I was first diagnosed.

Five years! Not bad, considering the median life expectancy at the time was less than four.

But that only sets the stage for the topic of my column this month.

Several days ago, a “myeloma friend” and I got together to watch a spring training baseball game. What a beautiful setting along Florida's Gulf Coast! The Toronto Blue …

I have had the honor of visiting with several cancer survivor and patient groups (mostly multiple myeloma-focused groups) since my treatment for myeloma began in December of 2008. Though the groups have been created for rather sobering reasons, I have found them to be warm and inviting and sources of valuable information.

While I am always happy to recount my own ongoing myeloma experiences, one of my very favorite aspects of these get-togethers is to hear the vastly unique stories …

A group of multiple myeloma experts from the International Myeloma Working Group recently published a review of management strategies for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

This Beacon article, the third in a three-part series, summarizes the experts’ recommendations for prevention of peripheral neuropathy as well as future steps toward better management of the condition.

The first article in the series describes peripheral neuropathy and summarizes the symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy as well as the risk …

A group of multiple myeloma experts from the International Myeloma Working Group recently published a review of management strategies for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

This Beacon article, the second in a three-part series, summarizes the experts’ recommendations for the treatment of drug-induced peripheral neuropathy.

The first article in the series describes peripheral neuropathy and summarizes the symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy as well as the risk of developing neuropathy associated with myeloma therapies.  A third …

“Mini” donor stem cell transplantation using stem cells from an unrelated donor may be feasible in multiple myeloma patients, according to the results of a recent small French study.

Results of the study showed that the estimated two-year overall and progression-free survival rates were similar between myeloma patients who received stem cells from a related donor and patients who received stem cells from an unrelated donor.

Based on these findings, the French researchers suggest that myeloma patients may benefit from …

The month of March has been a special one in my part of the country due to the unexpected record-breaking warm temperatures. This is also my birthday month during the year I turn sixty, now fondly referred to as my “sea of sixty.”

Facing the uncharted waters of multiple myeloma at age fifty-one left me unable to visualize this far-off decade. Looking ahead required imagining too many unknowns.

Two weeks ago when I brushed snow from my windshield, I also …

A group of multiple myeloma experts from the International Myeloma Working Group recently published a review of management strategies for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

This Beacon article, the first in a three-part series describes peripheral neuropathy and summarizes the symptoms of drug-induced neuropathy as well as the risk of developing neuropathy associated with myeloma therapies.

A second Beacon article will discuss the experts’ recommendations for the treatment of drug-induced peripheral neuropathy, and …