Throughout 2013, multiple myeloma patients once again graciously shared their personal experiences related to myeloma in columns they wrote for The Beacon.

Last year, two new myeloma patients joined the ranks of Beacon col­um­nists.  Both are women, both were diagnosed with myeloma much before the average age (one when she was a new mother), and both are long-term survivors.

Over the past year, The Beacon columnists have written about their recent myeloma-related happenings, including recent lab results, changes to their current treatment regimen, and how they have been doing lately.

They have also written about their struggles with side effects, relapsing, and dealing with the disease psy­cho­log­i­cal­ly and emotionally.

Some columnists have provided tips in their articles based on their own experiences, and some have used humor to lift the spirits of those living with myeloma.

A couple of the Beacon columnists also brought their columns to a close last year, each of them for the wonderful reason of wanting to move on with their lives and to take myeloma out of the focus.  These columnists had been writing for The Beacon for multiple years and all shared very useful tips and insights with Beacon readers during that time.

Other patients have stepped forward, however, to fill these spaces. The newest addition to the group of Beacon columnists is Steve Mohr, who started sharing his myeloma story with The Beacon readers at the beginning of this year.

As a service to its readers, The Myeloma Beacon has compiled a list of the columnist articles Beacon readers found most interesting during 2013.  If you sometimes feel like you are battling this disease alone, please read these columns.  It helps to know others have had experiences similar to your own.

Also, please join all of us here at The Beacon in expressing our sincere appreciation to these columnists for taking the time, and being willing, to share their personal stories with the Beacon’s readers on a regular basis.

Arnie’s Rebounding World by Dr. Arnold Goodman

Dr. Arnold Goodman was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2006 at the age of 47.  He has been living with relapsed/refractory disease for a number of years, and has been treated with a wide range of different treatment regimens – including a donor (allogeneic) stem cell transplant. Dr. Goodman writes a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon.  Below are three of his articles that Beacon readers found particularly interesting.

Keeping It Real – After experiencing another relapse in his myeloma, Dr. Goodman described his resolution to “always try to keep it real.” He realizes that setbacks are part of the course of the disease, and he has come to anticipate and expect the bad news associated with the disease. He therefore hopes for the best but accounts for the worst in his planning.

My Answer Came Too Soon – In early 2013, Dr. Goodman announced that his donor stem cell transplant had not been successful. He experienced extramedullary disease (myeloma outside of the bone marrow and blood), which was treated with radiation. He also laid out potential treatment options that he and his doctors considered going forward.

How Are You? – In this column, Dr. Goodman discussed the different options a cancer patient has for answering this seemingly simple question. He explained that the real answer to that question is complicated and that he varies the answer based on the person who is asking and the situation.

Birds In Spring by Lou Ganim

Lou Ganim was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2006 at the age of 60. After two autologous stem cell transplants, he achieved a complete response lasting three years.  Since relapsing more than two years ago, he has been undergoing continuous treatment.  In 2013, Lou wished to have more time to enjoy his retirement and therefore switched from writing a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon to submitting less frequent opinion pieces.

Reaper, Stay Away From My Door – In this article, Lou took on the topic of mortality and shared his thoughts on the subject matter. He wrote that he has specific ideas about his own funeral and that he is planning on writing his own obituary.

Letters From Cancerland by April Nelson

April Nelson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 2004 at the age of 48.  She underwent a stem cell transplant, which put her in a near complete remission until 2012, when she started treatment again. She started writing a monthly column for The Beacon in January 2013.

The Wheatgrass Juice Chronicles – In this column, April shared the experiences she has had with well-meaning family members, friends, and acquaintances who felt compelled to give her medical advice -- often of dubious value.

Manhattan Tales by Stephen Kramer

Stephen Kramer was diagnosed with myeloma in January 2010 at the age of 62.  After he stopped responding to his initial treatment, Stephen underwent a stem cell transplant in early 2012 that, unfortunately, did not put his myeloma in remission.  He received several different treatments throughout 2013, including investigational drugs through participation in clinical trials.  Stephen writes a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon.

Manhattan Tales: Side Effects, Good And Bad – Last fall, after experiencing another bout of pneumonia, Stephen’s doctors decided to discontinue his myeloma treatment for a while. In this column, Stephen described how this drug-free period allowed him to assess the ways myeloma drugs have impacted his life over the previous four years.

Me vs. MM by Kevin Jones

Kevin Jones was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January 2011 at the age of 52.  He received initial treatment as part of a clinical trial and achieved a stringent complete remission.  Kevin wrote a monthly Beacon column through September 2013.  Below are three of his 2013 articles that Beacon readers found particularly interesting.

Two-Year Cancerversary – In his first column of 2013, Kevin used his two-year anniversary of his myeloma diagnosis to share the low and high points of the previous two years. He also shared the best advice he received over that period as well as the advice he would give to other myeloma patients.

Good, Bad, And Indifferent – Kevin completed his induction therapy at the beginning of 2013, achieving a stringent complete response. In his April column, Kevin described the effects he experienced after he completed treatment. He was surprised by the level of aches and pains he felt. At the same time, he noticed that his energy levels improved significantly.

Life After Dex – In his February column, Kevin discussed the question whether he should continue treatment with Revlimid maintenance therapy. After carefully assessing the pros and cons of Revlimid maintenance, he decided to forgo maintenance therapy.

Myeloma Mom by Karen Crowley

Karen Crowley was diagnosed with smoldering multiple myeloma in 2005 at the age of 30. Her myeloma became symptomatic in 2007 and she started treatment with Revlimid and dexamethasone, which has kept her myeloma stable. Karen started writing a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon in May 2013. Below are three of her 2013 articles that Beacon readers found particularly interesting.

Greetings From A Young Myeloma Old-Timer – In her first column for The Beacon, Karen recounted the events leading up to her diagnosis and her treatment so far. She also described how she tried to understand what it meant to live with multiple myeloma.

My Aunt Margie – Karen’s aunt Margie was also diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Unlike Karen’s myeloma, her aunt’s myeloma was very aggressive, which made Karen wonder if she and her aunt really had the same disease.

Undercover Cancer Patient – In this column, Karen pondered about when to let new friends, casual acquaintances, or even strangers know about her cancer diagnosis. She felt that being young makes it even harder to inform people about her cancer diagnosis.

Northern Lights by Nancy Shamanna

Nancy Shamanna was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July 2009 at the age of 58.  She has been successfully treated with induction therapy, a stem cell transplant, and maintenance therapy.  Nancy resides in Canada and writes a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon.

Could Environmental Factors Be The Cause Of My Myeloma? – In her August column, Nancy wondered if environmental factors could have caused her myeloma because she was exposed to a variety of different chemicals when she was younger.

Pat’s Cracked Cup by Pat Pendleton

Pat Pendleton was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in December 2003 at the age of 52.  After undergoing a stem cell transplant, Pat has been in remission for the past eight years.  She wrote a monthly Beacon column through March 2013.

The Seasons Of Living With Multiple Myeloma – In her final column for The Beacon, Pat reflected on her life with multiple myeloma and offered a few suggestions to newly diagnosed myeloma patients.

Pat’s Place by Pat Killingsworth

Pat Killingsworth was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in April 2007 at the age of 51.  Pat underwent an unsuccessful stem cell transplant in mid-2011 and has relapsed several times since.  Pat writes a monthly column for The Myeloma Beacon.  Below are three of his 2013 articles that Beacon readers found particularly interesting.

It’s Time To Stop Denying The Elephant In The Room, Death And Dying – In his March column, Pat took on the topic of death and dying. In Pat’s opinion, denial is not a good way to handle the topic. He encouraged both myeloma patients and caregivers to address the topic head on, which he described as a freeing experience.

Risk Versus Reward When Considering A Stem Cell Transplant – In this column, Pat described how his attitude toward stem cell transplantation has changed over the years as his myeloma has become more advanced.

Don’t Give Up On Seeking Help To Improve Your Quality Of Life! – In another column, Pat encouraged myeloma patients to seek medical help to deal with the side effects of treatment. He suggested that patients think outside the box when considering different specialists. For example, he wrote that a pain management specialist, or an alternative medicine practitioner who works with diabetics, may be able to help with the pain and numbness caused by peripheral neuropathy.

Sean’s Burgundy Thread by Sean Murray

Sean was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in November 2008 at the age of 49, when his two daughters were still very young.  He chose to pursue aggressive therapy, which ended with three years of maintenance therapy completed in 2012.  He is currently in complete remission.  Sean writes a monthly Beacon column.  Below are two of his 2013 articles that Beacon readers found particularly interesting.

Dear Multiple Myeloma – At the end of the year, Sean wrote a letter to his multiple myeloma in which he described their first encounter in November 2008. Sean ended the letter by informing his myeloma that he will prevail and will not be discouraged by its presence.

Withering Heights – In this column, Sean described in his usual humorous style how myeloma has affected his bones. Since his diagnosis, he experienced various fractures, including three collapsed vertebrae, which led to a significant loss in height in his upper body.

The Myeloma Beacon also recently published a compilation of the top Myeloma Beacon news articles from 2013.