I noticed winter holiday decorations in the stores the day after Halloween. There is no way of escaping the presence of commercial seasonal promotions.

Yet this time of year still triggers memory and reflection.

I recall struggling to a Thanksgiving dinner a few years back with symptoms of stage IV multiple myeloma before I knew I had a disease with a name.

I had been unwell for months and clueless about my condition. It took another two weeks …

In this week of Thanksgiving, I am grateful for many things, including the opportunity to share my family’s myeloma journey with you and the relationships that have grown as a result.  

While I am still not thankful for the myeloma diagnosis, the last seven months have been filled with blessings.  It is generally not my style to repeat words over and over in my writing, but for this week, please bear with me, because there’s going to be a whole …

Results of a recent Greek study show that high levels of the protein sclerostin in the blood are associated with advanced disease and poor bone formation in multiple myeloma patients.

In addition, the results indicate that Velcade may be effective in reducing sclerostin levels in myeloma patients.

“Our study has shown that sclerostin is increased in myeloma patients, and together with the [laboratory] data presented at the last ASH meeting, suggests that sclerostin inhibits the function of [bone-building cells] in …

A while back I reported how my compromised immune system, reacting to years of chemotherapy, had allowed melanoma (skin cancer) to develop on my left ear. The melanoma was surgically removed on Monday.

But this week’s column isn’t about that.  The surgery went well — although my surgeon did need to remove a larger part of my ear than he originally anticipated.

No, this week’s column is about waiting.

Let me set the scene for you.  I’m lying in pre-op, …

A new study by Spanish researchers sheds light on the role of stem cell transplantation in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

The study focuses on newly diagnosed patients who, in a clinical trial, did not respond to initial rounds of chemotherapy to treat their disease.

It finds that, among these non-responding patients, the ones who had stable disease after their initial round of chemotherapy responded well to stem cell transplantation.

In contrast, the patients whose disease not only …

Since I got my myeloma diagnosis five and a half years ago, I haven’t been given to bouts of depression.

With a myeloma diagnosis, you really don’t have time to feel sorry for yourself.

I’ve tried to take in stride all the things “they” have done to me – two autologus stem cell transplants, a myriad of chemotherapy side effects, an open lung biopsy, and endless needle sticks, just to name a few.

Then there’s the prodding, probing, and testing …

Results of a  recent French study demonstrate that a lower dose of thalidomide may be as effective at treating advanced multiple myeloma as a higher dose, with the benefit of fewer side effects.

Due to the reduced side effects observed with lowered thalidomide dosages, researchers conclude that such a regimen may help to improve quality of life in these patients.

Dr. Ibrahim Yakoub-Agha from the University Hospital in Lille, France, and lead author of the study explained to The Beacon …